What are some effective ways to handle trolls and spammers in your community?

Every online community needs a set of groundrules, also known as Community Guidelines. Anyone who joins the community, should also be accepting those rules. These include the most basic rules, such as: - No harassment - No hateful language / bullying - No spam - Being respectful towards others That being said, it is almost inevitable to avoid trolls online - you have to learn to accept them, be calm with them and not feed too much into their frenzy. If anyone does go against the guidelines, they have to accept there will be consequences (such as filtering their messages or even being removed from the community).

Effective moderation is vital for any brand on social media. Inaction can be perceived as tolerance for racism, bullying, and susceptibility to scams. Just as you wouldn't ignore offensive graffiti on your shop window, neglecting your comment section poses risks. Taking swift action aligns with your brand values. Your community is a valuable asset; nurture, protect, and engage with them. In return, they become loyal ambassadors and potent marketing channels for your success.

Utilising spam and automation features can be super helpful to deal with the majority of spam/trolls. However a percentage will always slip through the filters. It’s important for social media teams to remember they are the gatekeepers for brands on social media and therefore it’s their duty to ensure these spaces are kept as safe spaces for everyone. Sometimes the right thing is the simple thing, use the block button.

Since 2020, social platforms have doubled down on safety and trust tools to make it easier for brands and creators to stay safe and have a positive experience. Don't underestimate the power of these tools and make sure you use them to their full potential. Have a list of keywords that you don't want to see in your comments section and make sure this list is always updated. Trolls can get very creative, so a sharp eye on the community will save you a lot of time (and heartache) when keep those keyword lists fresh and updated.

As long as comments aren't offensive or in violation of our social media policies, I say bring on the trolls! Critical comments can be an opportunity to create funny, scroll-stopping moments and show that your brand isn't afraid to stand up for yourselves. This takes a high level of risk evaluation and judgement, but can pay off if done correctly.

Unless there comments are 100% relevant: 1. Block them 2. Delete their comments 3. Report them 4. Share with your boss 5. Keep your community safe and happy

Look for the signs they are always there. 1. Very few connections on LinkedIn 2. Really not that clear as too what they do and the companies they work for. 3. A direct message suggesting that you should connect, so you can learn from each other.

Identify and empower brand advocates within your community. They can help amplify your message and influence others positively.

Consider kindness. Most people are not trying to do harm. Some are and you’ll have to manage them. But remaining objective often helps, solve more solutions than not.

AI can be a valuable solution and a helpful tool for community management. It can be highly effective in identifying and addressing trolls and spammers, allowing for the removal of the content they post or share.