HTGuru

Spam deletion of links related to David Gregory and co.

Latest comment: 17 years ago4 comments2 people in discussion

I first discovered this particular group of sites when looking through the External Links section in Home cinema. I noticed that user Djgregory had added several links to several topics... and all the sites he added were based on the exact same website template. Suspecting self promotion, I dug a little further and noticed that several users had added links to the same several websites. As I doubt any one else had paid as much attention to this as I had, I took it upon myself to remove these links from Wikipedia.

The following is a list of users and websites involved in this particular spam attempt. I will keep adding to it as I find more.

Users involved:

Websites involved:

www.outdoorcarpets.co.uk
www.blood-pressure-monitoring.org
www.davidgregory.org
www.newtv-guide.info
toys.nursery-guide.info
www.pushchair-guide.info
microwaves.cookery-guide.info
appliances.cookery-guide.info
kitchen.cookery-guide.info

Note: I did not remove links to every site which these users have added, only those of which I am certain they are self promoting.

--HTGuru 18:57, 14 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

Htguru

I hope you take this message in the spirit of fairness - I was deeply upset to be named and shamed on this page.

I have to take my hat off to your perseverance and persistence in searching out the links you have found. I am sorry you had to spend your time this way - I seem to have fallen foul of the conditions of use.

I would be grateful if you would offer some guidance because I have become confused as to what adding/contributing to Wikipedia should involve - I certainly agree that unrelated links to dubious sites is very bad, but in all honesty I thought my highly specific links added value for the visitor that reaches the end of an article to learn more on an external site. I have read and understand the Guidelines. Whether the site has a connection to the contributor should not automatically discount its inclusion.

I notice that you allow some sites to remain on the external links sections which are clearly commercial sites - festooned with Adsense, Amazon and other affiliate links. I added some of the sites you identify because I consider them to be of informational help. eg the Nursery Toys Guide actually offers good quality information about types of toys suitable for growing children and developing different skills. I see little difference between this site and the toyreview site that has remained as an external link - the site has adsense, which Nursery Toys doesn't, and it used to have a clear statement that it intended to be an affiliate marketing site which is no longer apparant - time will tell.

I hope that you will reconsider some of the removed links and allow appropriate ones back.

Very Best wishes

Djgregory 20:25, 15 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

David,

For guidelines on external linking, view Wikipedia:External Links. Point number 3 under the heading "Links normally to be avoided":

A website that you own or maintain, even if the guidelines above imply that it should be linked to. This is because of neutrality and point-of-view concerns; neutrality is an important objective at Wikipedia, and a difficult one. If it is relevant and informative, mention it on the talk page and let other — neutral — Wikipedia editors decide whether to add the link.

As the warning I added to your talk page says: You are encouraged to add content instead of links.

I am a little perplexed at your last paragraph concerning commercial sites. How can you complain about sites containing affiliate links when you have affiliate links on your own sites? Since you mention the Nursery Toys Guide I'll use it as an example: [http://toys.nursery-guide.info/where-to-buy/amazon.php].

Everyone at wikipedia must abide by certain guidelines. Many of us, myself included, would love it if we were allowed to add our own sites in the External Links sections, however, we are committed to keeping the encyclopedia clean of spam and self promotion.

--HTGuru 17:02, 17 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

guru

Righty Ho. I think I get it, thank you for taking the time to respond.

I was too focused on the commercial aspect of sites which is why I raised the subject of other sites not being removed. Now I understand that if I have any self interest in an exernal site I should add it to the talk page for others to decide thus avoiding self promotion accusations - perfectly fair.

I shall adhere to this - and will contribute wherever possible.

Best Regards

Djgregory 13:22, 19 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

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