Does Responding To Spam Attract More Spam?

[naomi24]

One or two here, upon spotting spam, are in the habit of posting 'Reported' beneath it, presumably either because they aspire to be recognised as potential mods or simply to save others reporting it. However, one member has said that by doing that it counts as a 'hit' for the spammers and that attracts further unwanted posts from them. Now I'm curious, Does that mean anything posted after a 'spam' post counts as a hit and attracts more spam? If not, how does it work? I can't imagine how a spammer recognises a specific response that relates solely to his efforts. Or … is it simply not true?

[naomi24]

Gromit, most of that is a given. Reporting spam does get it removed - unless a mod spots it first. As I suspected the general consensus seems to concur with you in that only clicking on a link will be recognised by the spammer as a 'hit'. Fake news on AB? Who'd a thunk? Thanks all for your answers.

[naomi24]

Ahhh .... a spanner in the works, Etch, although they'd be wrong in assuming that the responses resulted from their spam. Nevertheless, a very good question.

[Radagast]

I thought that the only intent of the spammers is the hope that links will be picked up by search engine bots.

[LadyCG]

Etch, most spammers use throwaway emails, as do most trolls and only used said email addresses to register and verify accounts. I very much doubt emails are checked thereafter.

[Meaghan27]

It was me that suggested if you responded to a spam post it would count as a hit because that is what I've been told. Respond meaning add to the thread. If you just open it then report it no, but why do some people need to add 'reported' to the thread. Just click report and let whoever deals with it deal with it.

[tiggerblue10]

I thought clicking into the post would just be an AB hit rather than a hit for the spammer.

[davebro]

I can't report anything - I don't know my password.

[THECORBYLOON]

"but why do some people need to add 'reported' to the thread. Just click report and let whoever deals with it deal with it."

Perhaps because it saves others from spending time reporting it?

[bhg481]

Now here's a cunning plan. Spammer 1 posts spam.

His best friend spammer 2 immediately replies "reported" (but doesn't report it).

Anyone else seeing the reply will assume it has been reported, so won't report it themself.

Post remains until a mod happens to see it.

[gulliver1]

P.P @ 11.56 Have you noticed how most of these B.Bs are Agatha's

[THECORBYLOON]

BHG, it is normally a known person posting that the spam has been reported and I doubt the spammers have put that much thought and effort into increasing the time a post remains

[ladybirder]

Mea I answered your question about "reported" when you asked it yesterday.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1818349-2.html

[pastafreak]

13:13...who's agatha?

[bhg481]

TCL - yes, it wasn't a serious suggestion.

What catches me out is when a spammer answers an old post. There was an example this morning (I think) when someone was asking about getting photographic slides converted to digital form. I read several answers before I came across one of my own and then realised the original post was a few years old; it was only at that point did I notice the date on it and found the last addition was spam.