What causes a post to be moderated?

[armstrom]

I checked the rules link above and didn't find any mention of this. What criteria actually triggers a post to require moderation rather than being visible automatically? Some of my posts go through right away while others give me a message saying that my post requires moderation... When that happens it can take 12 hours or more before my post show up. The only trend I've seen is that my posts seem to be moderated when I post an HTML link, but not if I attach a file. Is this the only situation that causes moderation? I presume it's to avoid spam.

[DarquePervert]

New members' first several posts are moderated. I believe the cutoff is 5.

It's a measure to reduce spam.

[armstrom]

Hmm.. but my third post was a simple reply and was not moderated.. Either way, I was just curious. BTW, could a moderator look at my post from last night in the thread about the force feedback encoder (in the input devices forum)? I posted a link to my managed SDK last night and the post is still in limbo.
Thanks!
-Matt

[DarquePervert]

I dn't know the details. I'm just a moderator.

The admins put this measure into place. Sometimes it's 5 posts that get moderated. Sometimes it's 1 post. I've also seen prolific spammers get 10 moderated spam posts, too.

[Zip-Lock]

If the user has under 5 posts and the posts contain any of the following it will be sent to the moderation queue:

1.) URL's or links
2.) common spam words

From there it can either be released for posting or deleted. It's intention to reduce spam and it's proven to be very effective. It does catch new user's posts sometimes most commonly because they contain links. Those posts are released from the moderation queue when the moderator sees it, usually within 24 hours.

[armstrom]

Great, thanks for the explanation. I've broken the 5-post mark now, so I should be good .

[DarquePervert]

Thanks for the explanation, Zip-Lock.

[2Wheeler]

I found this tonight- I'm at like 12 posts and have been active in the Fusion Brain section (not posting links but have attached some JPG files of circuit stuff). I'm still moderated. I take it the 5 posts has been upped since 2007, or maybe there is a minimum time on board? It sucks being new.

[meddler]

Yes the 5 post limit has been changed and we don't really want to tell the spammers how many it requires. I know it sucks, but the amount of spam the mods and admins have to delete is huge. It just makes it better for everyone who is using the forums for the right reasons. Hang in there.

[Jakob Perry]

yah im seeing the same issue. its too bad non-spamming people can be pulled out of the moderation queue. oh well.

Time to keep posting i guess!