Why I Answer Questions on BikeGremlin Forum Only

[BikeGremlin]

Table Of Contents (T.O.C.)​

• Banned on Quora (and often deleted on Reddit)
• A Concrete Example of An "Offending" Post
• Quora, Reddit And Other Censorship/Moderation
• Lesson?
• P.S. Second Thoughts And Further Info
• Srpskohrvatska verzija (this post in my native)

Banned on Quora (and often deleted on Reddit)​

Just got my Quora (the website's home page link) account permanently banned - without warning, without a strike system, and with no option to appeal.

Here's what they said after I asked if it was a mistake, via an email:

...After reviewing your activity on Quora, we have determined that your account was in violation of our Platform Policies, specifically due to posting the same content, or sending the same messages repeatedly, or sharing irrelevant answers/comments for the purpose of driving traffic to an external site or for monetary gain...

Let's be clear:
I wasn't spamming. I wasn't promoting irrelevant garbage. I was sharing relevant, helpful answers - usually linking to a detailed article I wrote, if the topic deserved a full explanation.

A related article on my website:
"SEO, LLMs, and the Death of the Open Web?"

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A Concrete Example of An "Offending" Post​

I have used dozens of hosting provider services - some for my websites, some for client websites (and I am active in the hosting community, as well as in the cycling community - a profession and a hobby if you like). Based on that experience, I concluded that MDDHosting is very good. I use and recommend their services (this forum is hosted there, at the time of writing).

So, I wrote a detailed review (several in fact, over the years, for different services I've used), with performance tests and comparisons. Published it on my site. And yes - I use affiliate links. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't.
Seriously. I use affiliate links even when I criticise and recommend against using a service! I took the time, tested it, and if the company offers an affiliate program, Ill use it. If someone reads my article and decides to buy, I get a commission. It takes one second to add an affiliate link (and disclose it as such, which I always do).

When someone asks "What hosting do you recommend?" - I reply (my Quora comments have been deleted, but this is a similar real example from a Reddit post I wrote - which was also removed by the moderators on Reddit - same policy, apparently):
The thread about Reddit moderation

I mostly use (no more honeest recommendation than that) MDDHosting Plaid reseller hosting. My notes on the experience so far:
https://io.bikegremlin.com/30329/mddhosting-plaid-hosting-review/

Veerotech is also very good (got one site there as well), but MDDHosting is my primary provider so to speak.

https://io.bikegremlin.com/29081/veerotech-reseller-hosting-review/

Relja

That's not spam. That's called being helpful and transparent.

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Quora, Reddit And Other Censorship/Moderation​

Platforms like Quora and Reddit will happily ban posts like the above-discussed one. Even if:

• They’re relevant.
• Backed by personal experience and testing.
• Provide real value to the reader (usually the person who posted a question/asked for help - at least when it comes to replies I post).

In contrast, forums like bikeforums.net (why I'm not active on BikeForums) and lowendspirit.com actually encourage this kind of contribution - often welcoming links to high-quality articles that expand on an answer.

I've asked Quora support whether a human actually reviewed my answers before banning me. Still waiting for a straightforward reply (I don't expect to get one).

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Lesson?​

Quora was eager to email me about different questions on various topics from of my area of expertise (an automated system).
Over the years, I wrote probably over 100 replies - that's a lot of time on aggregate. All that time is lost now (as the account is banned and my comments apparently removed.

Same with Reddit.

That's why I now prefer to post my answers here on this forum - where no cunt can just destroy the work.
Not mine, not yours. Not the thousands of hours spent by readers asking questions and others (myself included) giving helpful, thoughtful answers.

Here, what we write actually stays. And helps.

I still post educational videos on YouTube (and back them up on Rumble) - since video is often the best way to explain certain things. But for questions and discussions, I stick to the forum.

I also still contribute to a smaller degree to the above mentioned bikeforums.net, lowendspirit.com, and 2bike.rs (that last one is in my native) - as I understand that the moderating policy of those places is still reasonable.

Relja

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P.S. Second Thoughts And Further Info​

I am sure Quora and Reddit have problems with spam - I won't dismiss that. I understand that there aren't (m)any websites like bikegremlin.com (and many people like Relja Novović ) - so automated systems and mods who don't put in much brain effort can easily mistake what I do for what they see most often: spam.

I just feel that in my particular case the moderation decisions are nonsense - removing high-quality answers that could have been helping people years after years (even after I'm gone).

This is the full email I got from Quora:

Hi Relja,

Thank you for your patience.

Quora believes that all members of the community should make an effort to contribute helpful content to the community and, ultimately, make the site a better resource for all.

After reviewing your activity on Quora, we have determined that your account was in violation of our Platform Policies, specifically due to posting the same content, or sending the same messages repeatedly, or sharing irrelevant answers/comments for the purpose of driving traffic to an external site or for monetary gain.

To learn more about our Platform Policies, please see: https://help.quora.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000470706-Platform-Policies, and for our Acceptable Use Policy, please see: https://www.quora.com/about/acceptable_use

Please note that this decision is final and not subject to appeal. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We are committed to maintaining a safe and positive environment for all of our users, and we appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,
Name removed to respect privacy (BikeGremlin edit)

It appears that the very essential block of Internet - hyperlinks - is now getting forbidden. What a time to be alive!

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[VlPo]

Yes let them go wherever they want with their "censorship" You have your own website, so let it be the focus of "wisdom" on topics of interest to you