Spam reporting thread #67

Questo è il seguito della conversazione Spam reporting thread #66.

Questa conversazione è stata continuata da Spam reporting thread #68.

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Spam reporting thread #67

Questa conversazione è attualmente segnalata come "addormentata"—l'ultimo messaggio è più vecchio di 90 giorni. Puoi rianimarla postando una risposta.

1lilithcat
Mar 5, 2019, 8:46 am

PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING SPAM

Distinguish between the following, and flag the highest level of the violation:

-- Type 1: Irredeemable commercial spam: make sure to flag the member's profile, as well as the spammy activity. This type includes things selling strollers, pharmaceuticals, live-streaming sports games, porn, and/or trying to create traffic/links to sites for such things. Sufficient profile flags will automatically result in temporary suspension and deletion of the member's activity, so use your profile-flagging powers wisely and carefully.

-- Type 2: Teachable moments: DO NOT flag the member's profile, but DO flag the violating activity (e.g. self-promotional Talk post, group, or local venue). This type includes promotional activity that violates the Terms of Service (TOS), but where the member is potentially redeemable, e.g. overzealous authors, overzealous publishers, or other members with small TOS violations but who are otherwise using the site legitimately. These cases should be reported to staff (by sending a message or email to staff and/or or posting on this thread), so the member can be taught how to use the site.

Specific procedures:
-- Overzealous authors or publishers (these fall under type 2): do NOT flag the member's profile. Report to staff here or privately. You can also send the member a polite message pointing them to the terms, mentioning the "no promoting" language, and pointing them to the Do's and Don't page for authors: http://www.librarything.com/about_authors.php
-- Suspected sock-puppetry to promote a book, write fake reviews, and/or stack ratings: do not flag the profile, but report to staff here or by message, so staff can investigate. This is a serious violation for which members can be permanently banned.
-- Profile flags for commercial spammers only (type 1): On the member's profile page, click on the "report for spam" link, then follow instructions to flag the member. Again, this is only for commercial spam, not for "overzealous" authors, publishers, or booksellers, which should be reported to staff instead. See Talk post: http://www.librarything.com/topic/85810
-- Spam or promotional posts in a Talk topic (type 1 or 2): flag the post as an abuse of the terms of service.
-- Spam or promotional groups (types 1 and 2): flag new groups using the "flag this group" link.
-- Spam lists: report in this thread, and flag the member if it's commercial spam.
-- Spam works (type 1 spam): flag the work as spam on the work's editions page, and then vote on proposed work spam. Make sure to read the guidelines before proposing or voting, especially for what is not spam. Voting page: http://www.librarything.com/spam_works.php
-- Spam in a review (type 1), or an explicitly promotional review (type 2): flag the review as an abuse of the TOS, using the red flag.
-- Spam or promotion in "published reviews," or other CK fields (type 1 or 2): post here and/or delete.
-- Spam or egregious promotion/advertising in venues or events (type 1 or 2): post here and/or delete. Note that authors are permitted to add events for their books.
-- Spam in book links / quick links: post here and/or edit to remove spam.
-- Spam author names listed on a work: No current procedure. Tim has asked us not to change CK to indicate spammers, and not to combine spam authors together.
-- Not sure if it's spam? Post here, and explain why.

Please note that Tim has asked us not to use either CK or the combining system (whether works or authors) for spam fighting.

For more information see these wiki pages:
Procedures for flagging and reporting spam: https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/Spam
Spam works, guidelines for flagging and voting: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/HelpThing:Spam_works

(A copy of these guidelines, for pasting in new threads, can be found here or at the top of previous threads.)

2MarthaJeanne
Mar 5, 2019, 2:11 pm

3Lyndatrue
Mar 5, 2019, 3:04 pm

4Taphophile13
Mar 6, 2019, 3:24 pm

web designer
https://www.librarything.com/profile/jannytaylor

started this group with lots of links to commercial sites
https://www.librarything.com/groups/happyholiimages2019

5karenb
Mar 11, 2019, 3:41 am

spam comment to Spam Profile Hunt thread (LOL): https://www.librarything.com/topic/254702#6765453
posted by member from last month: https://www.librarything.com/profile/marcoritter313

72wonderY
Mar 12, 2019, 9:57 am

I don't know whether a group created by a spammer disappears when the account is gone.

So
http://www.librarything.com/groups/patronageinstituteof

10SandyAMcPherson
Modificato: Mar 18, 2019, 11:08 pm

Maybe not spam?
On https://www.librarything.com/work/96793/reviews
there's a user (jlspad | Dec 9, 2008) that has had their review red-flagged. I'm thinking red flagging is perhaps just a mistake. Maybe the link is leading to an out of date configuration for a website that's no longer valid? The user looks like a legitimate LT member in good standing.

(PS. If I am posting this comment in the wrong place, or it is not helpful to draw attention to small issues like this, please let me know on my profile).

11norabelle414
Mar 19, 2019, 8:47 am

>10 SandyAMcPherson: The red flag is not just for spam, it's for any violation of the terms of service, including plagiarism, which that "review" is.

132wonderY
Mar 20, 2019, 7:44 am

Despite adding a book, this is a spam profile for a gambling site.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/alexmarkov

15Lyndatrue
Modificato: Apr 2, 2019, 12:24 am

You know, if it were't for the fact that the post replicates EXACTLY what is in the profile, I'd have probably been willing to leave a facsimile of the enthusiastic author post. Nope. Nope. Nope.

I think that it'll hit spam level pretty quick. I've already flagged the post, and am about to flag the account as well.

https://www.librarything.com/topic/305469#
https://www.librarything.com/profile/claudiajuliana

Please note the "seo" letters at the end of some of the links in the profile, and in that post.

ETA: Huh. That was really quick. Never mind, all gone.

17elenchus
Modificato: Apr 2, 2019, 11:38 am

So my Recent Book Haiku module displays an interesting entry, but I can't seem to link through to the poster:
We are a prominent PPC management agency which has the experience and knowledge to craft and manage PPC campaigns that get you ahead of your competition
It's also on the main Haiku page, but ... appears to be slotted in between two legitimate haiku posts? (Between entries for The Nest by yoyogod and One Small Step by JerryStone2001.)

I'm confused.

18norabelle414
Apr 2, 2019, 12:35 pm

>17 elenchus: Probably the work has already been removed as spam, or something.

You can find the spammer by checking out the Book Haiku common knowledge log: http://www.librarything.com/commonknowledge/search.php?t=1&f=57

The culprit: http://www.librarything.com/profile/pixelglobalitppc

19elenchus
Apr 2, 2019, 1:48 pm

>18 norabelle414:

Ah! -- thanks for that, it was looking to me as though a hacker had found a way to insert spam "in between" areas typically modifiable by end users. That worried me even though I didn't understand it. Didn't occur to me the poster had already been identified.

20norabelle414
Apr 2, 2019, 1:57 pm

>19 elenchus: The poster had not been removed when I wrote that message, but the work that they had posted on had been suppressed as spam which is why a link to it did not show up on the recent Haiku page.

24Taphophile13
Apr 4, 2019, 2:53 pm

26Watry
Apr 9, 2019, 8:34 am

27lilithcat
Apr 9, 2019, 9:01 am

>26 Watry:

It helps to provide a link to the profile of the person posting the spam, so that, if necessary, that profile can be flagged as well.

28Watry
Apr 9, 2019, 12:40 pm

Good to know, thank you!

29anglemark
Apr 10, 2019, 7:49 am

https://www.librarything.com/topic/305760
https://www.librarything.com/profile/jennielie

Spam link in the topic, and linked from FB profile in Profile, don't click.

30anglemark
Apr 10, 2019, 7:51 am

Already gone...

31gilroy
Apr 12, 2019, 5:42 am

http://www.librarything.com/profile/Elliot_Sharpe

Essay sales platform. Sending out friend requests

32SandyAMcPherson
Apr 12, 2019, 7:46 am

This member, https://www.librarything.com/profile/ireneattolia

has written a very strange comment as a review (dated Sep 3, 2018), here:
https://www.librarything.com/work/21707141/reviews

33lilithcat
Apr 12, 2019, 8:43 am

>32 SandyAMcPherson:

Not so strange. The book hadn't been published and the user really, really wanted it right away.

Not a review, and so appropriately flagged, but not spammy at all.

34norabelle414
Apr 12, 2019, 9:40 am

>32 SandyAMcPherson: Goodreads encourages people to review books before they come out (or at least, doesn't discourage it), and then when people import their Goodreads data to LibraryThing those reviews come over too. You'll also see some imported reviews complaining about not being able to rate books with half-stars, even though LibraryThing does have half-stars.

35karenb
Apr 13, 2019, 11:27 pm

39MarthaJeanne
Modificato: Apr 18, 2019, 5:39 pm

http://www.librarything.com/profile/Brenna333

She writes papers for students.

"Students pay for this paper works so it’s very important that everything is written with high quality."

40lilithcat
Apr 18, 2019, 7:46 pm

>39 MarthaJeanne:

She wants to know what my favorite book is: http://www.librarything.com/topic/306055

I'm very tempted to respond with this one: http://www.librarything.com/work/232679 or perhaps this: http://www.librarything.com/work/1667712

412wonderY
Apr 18, 2019, 9:11 pm

>39 MarthaJeanne: I've flagged her profile; yet she persists.

42Lyndatrue
Modificato: Apr 18, 2019, 9:24 pm

>41 2wonderY: Flag the topic. It just needs two more flags, and it'll be history.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/306055

(or https://www.librarything.com/topic/306055 for those who prefer it)

I've flagged her profile, and I can see she has three random books (more or less). Her location says Sandy, and one of the few places I know of that name is in Utah. I'm betting against that being her home.

ETA: Dang. I could be wrong on that. The "Sandy" link leads to Utah. No extraneous data. Weird.

43FAMeulstee
Apr 20, 2019, 6:03 pm

>39 MarthaJeanne: >40 lilithcat: The same (or similair, asked the same question) under an other name: https://www.librarything.com/profile/nancybellogym

45karenb
Apr 22, 2019, 4:20 am

472wonderY
Apr 23, 2019, 11:33 am

Spam profile, despite the Harry Potter books added:

https://www.librarything.com/profile/AdelCarroll2

48karenb
Apr 24, 2019, 5:11 am

ICYMI: Spam group, from early-morning spam account (same name as account): https://www.librarything.com/groups/savitel

51lilithcat
Modificato: Apr 24, 2019, 8:36 am

52lorax
Apr 24, 2019, 9:11 am

lilithcat (#51):

In Case You Missed It.

53amysisson
Apr 24, 2019, 3:08 pm

http://www.librarything.com/topic/306265

New member/author. I left a message on the profile.

54Lyndatrue
Apr 24, 2019, 3:20 pm

>53 amysisson: It's best to include the profile as well, since sometimes the new author ignores advice.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/JacquelineTerrill

This way, there's a record. It's probably one out of one hundred that seems uninterested in following the friendly advice, and persists in announcing their efforts.

Sometimes it seems sad to know how difficult it is for new writers, but it was always difficult. With the advent of self-publishing that seems ubiquitous, there is a false encouragement. Ah, well. So it goes.

55amysisson
Apr 24, 2019, 3:26 pm

>54 Lyndatrue:

Thanks, good point!

58gilroy
Apr 25, 2019, 7:10 am

https://www.librarything.com/topic/306289

Post is definitely spam
Can't decide if the profile is just someone encouraging book sales, the author, or the publisher, or what.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/PerceptionsToday

59haydninvienna
Apr 25, 2019, 7:41 am

>58 gilroy: I saw that one but was doubtful enough (as to whether the post was spam) that I didn't flag it. The library is interesting though. I'd almost call it alternative alternative. More likely the poster is pushing an esoteric view of the world, I think, rather than directly trying to sell books.

I just hit "ignore'.

602wonderY
Apr 25, 2019, 7:54 am

>58 gilroy: My guess is the new member is the author. I flagged the post.

61gilroy
Modificato: Apr 25, 2019, 8:42 am

>59 haydninvienna: If it was just a post about a book without an amazon link, I'd agree with you.

>60 2wonderY: Under the thought that they are the author/publisher, I've left the usual notification.

62haydninvienna
Apr 25, 2019, 12:16 pm

Ive just flagged this post, but on second thoughts I might have been a bit hasty: https://www.librarything.com/topic/306303#6804736. Could someone have a look and counter-flag if appropriate please?

632wonderY
Apr 25, 2019, 12:36 pm

>62 haydninvienna: Well, it doesn't appear to be spam, but it's kinda dumb to start a new group to post about it. Not many people would even notice the post.

64gilroy
Apr 25, 2019, 1:26 pm

>62 haydninvienna: Looks like someone trying to get a group going like the other Folio Society groups. Unless he has a group of known collectors, that's going to be a hard tread. Not sure I'd label it as spam... yet.

65karenb
Apr 25, 2019, 1:58 pm

>62 haydninvienna: >64 gilroy:
Also, the account has been around since 2013, which is another argument against spam. The topic is now unflagged BTW.

66haydninvienna
Apr 25, 2019, 9:41 pm

Overactive author: https://www.librarything.com/topic/306314#6804979. Flagged topic.

67lilithcat
Apr 25, 2019, 11:06 pm

>66 haydninvienna:

It really helps if you provide the profile link as well, so we can be sure that a note is left.

69amysisson
Apr 26, 2019, 10:58 am

>68 lesmel:

Left message on profile.

71Lyndatrue
Apr 26, 2019, 12:42 pm

>70 karenb: This will be a hard one to get rid of, and may require intervention from staff. The profile was marked as an organization of some sort (I can't tell, because my flag was the tipping point, and it's suspended), and that means the work will need two more flags to get the special justice that all spammers deserve.

72gilroy
Apr 26, 2019, 1:07 pm

>70 karenb: I disagree with the work being spam. Did they have a review that was spammy? Because just the work itself isn't a spam work, from what I (and apparently two others) think.

73lilithcat
Modificato: Apr 26, 2019, 2:05 pm

>72 gilroy:

I think it probably is spam. A google search on the title reveals no books by that name. (In fact, I get only two results, neither of which is any form of media.)

74gilroy
Apr 26, 2019, 2:27 pm

>73 lilithcat: Um, we don't have to JUST catalog books here...

75lilithcat
Apr 26, 2019, 2:41 pm

True, but they weren’t anything, just phrases within text.

76karenb
Apr 26, 2019, 5:30 pm

>72 gilroy: >73 lilithcat:
I believe that the work is spam because the account was so clearly spam, and the work simply echoed a couple of phrases from the account. Just because the work isn't crappy spam doesn't mean that the work isn't spam -- if that makes any sense.

Another way to look at it: In the context of the spammy user account, the work is pretty clearly an extension of that spam and not an actual work of any kind.

77karenb
Modificato: Apr 27, 2019, 1:35 am

80gilroy
Apr 29, 2019, 6:24 am

82gilroy
Apr 29, 2019, 9:31 am

>81 Taphophile13: one of his books... for another of his books.

83lilithcat
Modificato: Apr 29, 2019, 10:30 am

Gee, and to think that it says Recommending your own book is strictly forbidden.

I left another comment.

84lilithcat
Apr 29, 2019, 5:42 pm

Well, I just had a very nice note from PemWeno apologizing.

Interesting, though, he says that he "only read the email promo from the site which I thought said book promotion was okay". I am not sure what promo he means or what it says, does anyone know? Is it something that ought to be re-worded?

85gilroy
Apr 29, 2019, 6:19 pm

He sent me a similar message. He also said he didn't see the responses, which I didn't understand.

86Lyndatrue
Apr 29, 2019, 8:48 pm

>84 lilithcat: and >85 gilroy: Doesn't much matter, because the account is now closed (not suspended, so he probably requested it).

882wonderY
Mag 1, 2019, 8:24 am

New member has added random books, but his profile translates as:

My name is Ivan! I am a blogger channel iLounge https://ilounge.ua. My blogs are related to unpacking and reviews of cell phones, cases, headphones, chargers and links. On this YouTube channel, you'll learn daily about technology, cell phone unpacking and polls, Iphone tips, and new application testing and training exercises. My energy is to show you the latest tricks in the world of technology and tips, traps for the most efficient use of your mobile phone.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/IvanKirichenko

892wonderY
Mag 2, 2019, 7:00 am

Advertising a reading platform on random threads:

http://www.librarything.com/profile/Bookself-Jess

902wonderY
Mag 4, 2019, 11:30 am

What is done with Spam tags?

New author added Amazon link:

http://www.librarything.com/work/23206112/book/168416321

91Lyndatrue
Mag 4, 2019, 1:20 pm

Well, I'm still drinking my first cup of coffee (I got up VERY late), and I recognize that I lack even the vague pretensions of kindness, however, the profile for the author is absolutely filled with more links.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/LandFlowing_01

I thought about leaving the standard Welcome to LT message on his profile, but I desperately want to just flag the profile and be done with it.

92Lyndatrue
Mag 4, 2019, 1:25 pm

>90 2wonderY: What actions are you looking for on the book? The stunning amount of html in those tags makes me want to stab my eyes. His account isn't any better.

93gilroy
Mag 4, 2019, 2:12 pm

>90 2wonderY: >91 Lyndatrue: >92 Lyndatrue: I went ahead and dropped the usual author warning/greeting. That said, I wanna flag it out of existence too...

94lilithcat
Modificato: Mag 4, 2019, 3:14 pm

>90 2wonderY:, >91 Lyndatrue:, >93 gilroy:

I'm not sure how helpful the usual message would be. After all, as far as I can see, he's not spamming the forums, and he's not posting links anywhere but on his own profile

There are the tags, of course, but as no one else has the book, those tags likely won't be noticed. They certainly won't affect anyone else. Unless, of course, his book suddenly becomes a huge best seller and scads of people catalog it. I hope he's not holding his breath.

95gilroy
Mag 4, 2019, 4:01 pm

Well, I got a very nice response (a rarity, I admit), but >94 lilithcat: is right. It didn't change the links in the tags etc.

962wonderY
Mag 4, 2019, 4:03 pm

I added a more specific note to yours and he replied that he would remove the tags. We'll see.

972wonderY
Mag 4, 2019, 4:13 pm

Done.

98lilithcat
Mag 4, 2019, 4:13 pm

>95 gilroy:, >96 2wonderY:

The tags are gone.

99Taphophile13
Mag 4, 2019, 4:13 pm

>96 2wonderY: The tags are gone.

100Lyndatrue
Mag 5, 2019, 12:49 am

(Re: >91 Lyndatrue: and etc.) All's well that ends well, or so they say. I'm hopeful that he'll at least behave, and who knows, maybe he'll settle in, and like it here. It's a pretty good place, after all.

1022wonderY
Mag 7, 2019, 8:18 am

Added a real book, added herself as an author and her "review" is a repeat of her escort advert.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/prishalagoo

http://www.librarything.com/work/13317121/reviews/168504556

1032wonderY
Mag 7, 2019, 8:24 am

104lilithcat
Mag 7, 2019, 8:45 am

>102 2wonderY:

Her choice of book is certainly appropriate!

1052wonderY
Mag 7, 2019, 9:17 am

Will her author name disappear? She seems to have added it to only her copy of the book, not Common Knowledge.

106Lyndatrue
Modificato: Mag 7, 2019, 10:19 am

>102 2wonderY: Et al; Going to the link you provided for the work shows the review muted (because of flags), but the "Book Details" show it as part of her Library, and that includes the "review" (twice, once in Review, once in Comments), and she's added herself as an Other Author (but not selected a role). I think this needs some sort of staff intervention.

On the other hand, it's only visible from the link you provided. I dunno.

1072wonderY
Mag 7, 2019, 10:32 am

>106 Lyndatrue: Okay, not a problem then.

108karenb
Mag 7, 2019, 7:42 pm

>105 2wonderY: >106 Lyndatrue:
I went into Other Authors and deleted/rejected her name. Recalculating title/author seems to have removed her as author from the work, though of course she still has a zero-work author page.

111Lyndatrue
Mag 10, 2019, 1:19 am

>110 Taphophile13: Works are now flagged, reviews are now flagged, but the profile may require staff intervention. Any time there are that many works, even fake ones, it seems to keep it from the death it richly deserves.

1162wonderY
Mag 14, 2019, 7:54 am

This author just added a new profile photo, which is how I took a look at her reviews, added back when the books were added. They are definitely Spam, with links, and are other peoples reviews as well. Can someone please take on writing her a note, please? I won't be polite this morning.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/karen62

http://www.librarything.com/work/4227361/reviews/23042487
http://www.librarything.com/work/4227347/reviews/23042393
http://www.librarything.com/work/1511374/reviews/6247795

117norabelle414
Mag 14, 2019, 9:17 am

>116 2wonderY: I marked the reviews as "against the TOS" but she added the reviews over a decade ago, so I don't know if there's a need to post a message unless she does something new that is against the TOS.

118lilithcat
Modificato: Mag 14, 2019, 9:23 am

>116 2wonderY:

I left her a note.

>117 norabelle414:

As she is apparently re-engaging with the site, I think a note might head off any additional spamming.

119gilroy
Mag 14, 2019, 11:04 am

>116 2wonderY: Reading through the profile, it feels more like a PR firm or someone other than the author proper created that, which might also explain the review snafu.

1212wonderY
Mag 15, 2019, 7:54 am

I nearly missed this one:

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Fishingjune

their profile picture has a quiet link to their sales page.

122lilithcat
Mag 15, 2019, 8:47 am

>119 gilroy:

I don't know. I've seen a lot of author profiles that use that sort of blurby sounding bio. I think they sign up on every book-related site and just cut-and-paste.

125gilroy
Mag 16, 2019, 1:27 pm

>124 Taphophile13: Interesting. Both users joined Spam Fighters...

126Taphophile13
Mag 16, 2019, 1:36 pm

>125 gilroy: Perhaps they thought there would be some benefit of the doubt if they were members?

127karenb
Mag 16, 2019, 9:45 pm

>125 gilroy: Well, if you want to keep up on the latest methods, that's the place to be.
Also note, one has one book in their library; the other has six books.

128lilithcat
Modificato: Mag 17, 2019, 7:48 am

Not immediately obvious as spam, but this "member" created a spam venue for gas boilers (which I've deleted).

http://www.librarything.com/pic/6925974

ACK! I accidentally put the picture link (gone now) instead of the member. I'm going to hope he's gone, too.

1292wonderY
Mag 17, 2019, 1:36 pm

Despite adding a real appearing book, the profile is Spam

http://www.librarything.com/profile/uksleepingpill

see link here:
http://www.librarything.com/pic/6926415

131Taphophile13
Mag 20, 2019, 10:53 am

Author set up group to discuss his book:
https://www.librarything.com/groups/thehammerverse

don't flag profile, I left a note
https://www.librarything.com/profile/James_McEwan

132karenb
Mag 20, 2019, 7:25 pm

133MarthaJeanne
Modificato: Mag 21, 2019, 8:49 am

>131 Taphophile13: The post needs one more flag. (You have to join the group, flag, and then leave the group.)

https://www.librarything.com/topic/307186

BTW it seems to be a series of 5 books, and so popular that nobody except the author has entered them.

>132 karenb: Member and review are gone, but not work.

144haydninvienna
Mag 23, 2019, 6:58 am

https://www.librarything.com/topic/307273#
Doesn’t seem to be selling anything, but ...

145gilroy
Mag 23, 2019, 7:09 am

>144 haydninvienna: Definitely. The article is specifically from their own website. (Link on the bottom of the post.)

146haydninvienna
Mag 23, 2019, 7:20 am

>145 gilroy: I saw the link, but I’m decidedly reluctant to click anything that I don’t have reason to trust.

147Lyndatrue
Mag 24, 2019, 7:19 pm

This appears to be an "Enthusiastic Author" and I lack any kindness right now. Soneone else needs to leave the standard comment on his profile.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/mohammed77

https://www.librarything.com/topic/307317# (Needs two more flags, currently)

150Lyndatrue
Modificato: Mag 27, 2019, 6:56 pm

Enthusiastic author:

https://www.librarything.com/profile/MehmetK
https://www.librarything.com/topic/307435#

I just posted a standard link, pointing out the rules. The topic still needs flags.

152Taphophile13
Modificato: Mag 28, 2019, 12:15 pm

"tips to write your book" group with link to online essay writing service
https://www.librarything.com/groups/tipstowriteyourbook

new member John Smith?! has catalogued 3 books, so may be legit; don't flag
I've left a note
https://www.librarything.com/profile/johnsmith1221

1532wonderY
Mag 28, 2019, 12:16 pm

>152 Taphophile13: Nah! Spam profile. Sometimes cataloguing books is just a flimsy screen.

154Taphophile13
Modificato: Mag 28, 2019, 12:24 pm

>153 2wonderY: yeah, trying to give the benefit of a doubt, but looks suspicious

ETA: and both gone

157Marissa_Doyle
Modificato: Mag 31, 2019, 3:14 pm

http://www.librarything.com/topic/251275#5970599

I see on his profile that he's already been politely warned...

ETA: He removed the Amazon link from his post.

158gilroy
Mag 31, 2019, 3:43 pm

>157 Marissa_Doyle: He's continuing to post in different groups, same message just without the link.
To me it's still advertising, even though he doesn't include the link...

159MarthaJeanne
Mag 31, 2019, 4:06 pm

>157 Marissa_Doyle:
The author involved is https://www.librarything.com/profile/GaryT1965, just to have this on record here is he continues to post spam.

160Lyndatrue
Mag 31, 2019, 4:17 pm

162MarthaJeanne
Modificato: Giu 3, 2019, 2:56 am

What about this bookstore adding several tags with their name to each of their books?

http://www.librarything.com/profile/VintiqueBooks

For example on http://www.librarything.com/work/22469938

vintage book collective (1) vintique books (1) vintiquebooks (1) vintique📚books (1)

163gilroy
Giu 3, 2019, 5:28 am

>162 MarthaJeanne: Their entire profile reads as an advertisement. Much as I love bookstores and want to encourage them to remain...

164karenb
Modificato: Giu 3, 2019, 5:38 am

>162 MarthaJeanne:
It looks like they're maybe importing their inventory? Though not listing prices here. (11.5K books added in 3 months)

The URL for their homepage doesn't work, but the URL in one of their tags does ("shop.~.~") They're selling via Biblio

Image on one book includes ad for the store: https://www.librarything.com/work/3154262/book/167049638

Boost to LT management?

1652wonderY
Giu 3, 2019, 9:02 am

>162 MarthaJeanne: et al - They sure appear to be using LT solely as a sales platform. As an aside, their assignment of star ratings appears very random too.

166Lyndatrue
Giu 3, 2019, 11:38 am

>162 MarthaJeanne: and etc. I flagged the profile for spam, and I loathe them. They even wrote six (very random) reviews, and reading them made me hate them more. I wonder how many times they could be flagged for spam before it would take???

Yes, I just started drinking coffee, and have no kindness in me. I really think this account needs to be pointed out to the powers that be, and then terminated with extreme prejudice.

167lesmel
Modificato: Giu 3, 2019, 12:06 pm

>166 Lyndatrue: I don't see anything in their profile that makes them spammy. Show me the difference between this profile: https://www.librarything.com/profile/skylightbooks and the other profile.

>162 MarthaJeanne: tags are sacrosanct user data. "There is no wrong way to use tags." https://wiki.librarything.com/index.php/HelpThing:Tag

1682wonderY
Modificato: Giu 3, 2019, 12:23 pm

Well, except for the fact that the cover image >164 karenb: pointed out is not a one-off. They've done it many times. Take a look in their catalog in the last several pages as cover image and you'll see.

I count 137 spam covers.

169lesmel
Giu 3, 2019, 12:34 pm

>168 2wonderY: They have more than 11K books in their collection. 1.2% are spam covers. Shouldn't they just be given a stern talking at by LT staff?

170gilroy
Giu 3, 2019, 1:38 pm

>167 lesmel: Wait. You're saying this:

About me
We are an independent bookstore in Los Angeles. Our favorite sections are fiction (edgy and gritty), art and design books, McSweeney's books, books on Los Angeles, and the 33 1/3 album series.

You can find out who is reading at our store and order signed books through our website, www.skylightbooks.com

About my library
In this LibraryThing library, you will find some of our favorite books, along with recommendations from our staff members. More than anything, we want to help create a better educated reading public.

is identical to this:
Vintage book store collective

(Website redacted)

Fast *FREE* Reliable Shipping (US only) and complementary gift wrap available upon request at time of purchase.

Happy Readings,
Vintique📚Books
Right?

171lesmel
Modificato: Giu 3, 2019, 2:20 pm

Pretty much. Both have websites. Both provide some info about their store. So do dozens of other profiles on LT.

1732wonderY
Giu 4, 2019, 12:59 pm

Despite adding two books, this is a spam profile:

https://www.librarything.com/profile/dorothyfackler

178norabelle414
Giu 7, 2019, 9:39 am

>176 andyl: Sorry! I edited my previous post while you were posting.

They're all gone now :-)

1792wonderY
Giu 7, 2019, 10:13 am

Just for information's sake, I flagged the member profile AlannnWood (gone now) because all there was on it was an ad for an essay writing service. The random Talk posts appear to have just been meant to direct members to his page.

180norabelle414
Giu 7, 2019, 10:21 am

>179 2wonderY: I was keeping an eye on that one too. Though it was extremely funny when they posted that the over-zealous author's book was boring.

181anglemark
Giu 7, 2019, 10:31 am

>180 norabelle414: I assumed that it was a sockpuppet. It's a common trick to create a sockpuppet who attacks your work, giving you an opportunity to talk more about it and get people's sympathy.

182Audaces
Giu 10, 2019, 10:54 am

Questo messaggio è stato cancellato dall'autore.

183Marissa_Doyle
Giu 10, 2019, 12:13 pm

>182 Audaces: Don't know if it's strictly a spammer, but I have to wonder if it's a pirate.

1842wonderY
Giu 10, 2019, 12:35 pm

Has anyone clicked on a link?

185Marissa_Doyle
Giu 10, 2019, 1:22 pm

>184 2wonderY: Nope--I don't click on links if I can help it, but they appears to be a file-sharing site. That's why I'm guessinng pirate.

186gilroy
Giu 10, 2019, 1:28 pm

>182 Audaces: It's possible that this is an engineering library for a small firm or community college that checks out only digital forms of the book. It's possible that the link was supposed to go to comments and got uploaded incorrectly.

I'd get staff involved, let lorannen poke into this, maybe even communicate with the user.

1882wonderY
Giu 12, 2019, 7:11 am

Despite the book, the profile is Spam:

http://www.librarything.com/profile/b2bspa

189lorannen
Giu 12, 2019, 8:34 am

>186 gilroy: Got it! It sure looks like they're an electronic-resource-lending library, and since they're using TinyCat, there's a much better solution for them to do this (beyond the fact that it's an inappropriate use of the Review field).

192gilroy
Modificato: Giu 16, 2019, 1:15 pm

https://www.librarything.com/profile/KevinMcCabe (Already dead)

I've got a question. Did I miss something with this guy? I saw one post on a Writer-Reader forum, but nothing that warranted a spam removal...

193Lyndatrue
Giu 17, 2019, 1:02 pm

Tim posted a link that had an example of "Avatars" where you could see who was local. All I noticed is that there were some profiles that were spam, or at least spam-like.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/healingpromos9 (Please flag)

https://www.librarything.com/profile/Rosalinda1932 (maybe, maybe not)

https://www.librarything.com/profile/AndrewSpears (could be classified as an enthusiastic author, but the profile is old)

I flagged only the first one. Now I feel sorry for all those one-book people, who showed up, looked around, and then left.

Sad business, really.

https://www.librarything.com/local/members

194norabelle414
Giu 17, 2019, 1:45 pm

>193 Lyndatrue: I see that the first profile is gone now, but I would not classify either of the other two as spam. ESPECIALLY not the middle one.

195Lyndatrue
Giu 17, 2019, 2:43 pm

>194 norabelle414: Yeah, me neither. I posted that while drinking my first cup of coffee, and didn't even flag the first one until I'd finished the cup. That middle one is kinda sad, really. Here's the death notice, from the local paper:

Rose L. Sullivan

Rose Lynn Sullivan, 87, of Kennewick, died June 2 (this year) in Kennewick.

She was born in Erwin, S.D., and lived in the Tri-City area for 41 years.

She was a retired teacher for the Pasco School District.

...and the obituary...

https://tributesatsunset.com/obituaries/2019/june/rose-lynn-sullivan/

There's a photograph with the obituary, and she seems like she was a very sweet and kind person. Wish I'd known her. :-{

197norabelle414
Giu 18, 2019, 11:49 am

https://www.librarything.com/topic/308159

Over-enthusiastic author: https://www.librarything.com/profile/John.Guilgood
I'm sure I've run into them before (the link to their profile is in my browser history) but there's no message on their profile. I've left one now.

198davidgn
Giu 18, 2019, 11:52 am

>197 norabelle414: Are we sure that's the author? Name does not match author name, but one or the other may be pseudonym?

1992wonderY
Giu 18, 2019, 12:01 pm

>198 davidgn: Pretty sure. The thread writing matches the material available in the look inside the book feature on Amazon.

I started to leave a message, but thought better of it.

200gilroy
Giu 18, 2019, 1:00 pm

>197 norabelle414: I feel like they've been here, left, then came back.

2032wonderY
Giu 18, 2019, 7:48 pm

Lifetime member, but joined today and has posted Spam links in Talk thread and two book reviews. Staff may need to be notified. Let's see if flagging gets rid of it.

http://www.librarything.com/profile/falola

http://www.librarything.com/topic/305938#6849651

204karenb
Giu 18, 2019, 8:12 pm

>203 2wonderY: Could be a lifetime member via the current treasure hunt?

At any rate, have reported to lorannen.

205amanda4242
Giu 18, 2019, 8:13 pm

>204 karenb: You get a lifetime membership if you sign up through the app.

206norabelle414
Giu 18, 2019, 8:43 pm

>205 amanda4242: Or through TinyCat, which also automatically signs you up for the TinyCat group, which this user is.

207Lyndatrue
Modificato: Giu 19, 2019, 1:08 am

Well, I know this seems at first glance to just be a misplaced review, but it's really an effort via (I'm guessing) a translator into English (some of the phrasing is typical).

I flagged the post, and the profile.

https://www.librarything.com/profile/hasanas_as
https://www.librarything.com/topic/308178#

Interesting to note that I was not the first flag on that topic.

ETA: ...and gone, clean as a whistle.

208haydninvienna
Modificato: Giu 19, 2019, 2:50 am

Male enhancement:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/308181#6849952
https://www.librarything.com/profile/nthophens

ETA: I saw this and flagged it, then reported it, but I wonder if there's any point in reporting the "keto" and "male enhancement" ones. Where I am, they tend to appear in the morning and I flag them and they usually last about 10 minutes (as this one did).

210norabelle414
Giu 19, 2019, 1:23 pm

>209 haydninvienna: I left them a message

211haydninvienna
Giu 19, 2019, 1:26 pm

>210 norabelle414: Thanks. I thought of doing so but truth to tell I'm a bit shy/cowardly about engaging with these people.

212norabelle414
Giu 19, 2019, 1:39 pm

>211 haydninvienna: I found it intimidating at first, but 99% of people never respond or do anything. In this case the account sent a very nice response, which is unusual.

213lorannen
Giu 19, 2019, 2:39 pm

>203 2wonderY: and >204 karenb: Thanks for messaging me! Got that one!

215lilithcat
Giu 20, 2019, 8:16 pm

Author promoting her book: http://www.librarything.com/topic/308242#

I've left a message on her profile: http://www.librarything.com/profile/gisela.sedlmayer

218gilroy
Giu 22, 2019, 2:17 pm

>217 amanda4242: A writer who says they are not a reader is an immediate turn off for me...
Sad, really. They miss out on so much.

219amanda4242
Giu 22, 2019, 2:24 pm

>218 gilroy: Yeah, I thought that was kind of weird. They did reply to my PM apologizing and saying they were curious about the site, so maybe maybe we'll get a convert.

221lilithcat
Giu 23, 2019, 2:44 pm

Time for a new thread.
Questa conversazione è stata continuata da Spam reporting thread #68.