Forum Posting Etiquette

Just like every other social venue in the world, internet forums have their own set of etiquette rules. If you want to make the most of your time online in an internet forum, find answers to your questions, or strike up interesting conversations, following the tips in this article can help you.

Rule #1: Read First, Type Later

One of the most irritating things for a seasoned member of a forum is to have a newbie come into the forums and start typing before they know anyone or have read any of the threads. Read first and you will learn the feel and flow of the forum before you post a message.

Rule #2: Respond Before You Start a New Thread

If you want to follow good forum posting etiquette, try responding to some existing conversations before you launch your own thread. Learn what everyone else is talking about, get a feel for the tone and conversations at hand, and find something with which you agree and can relate.

Rule #3: Look For It, Don't Ask For It

Chances are, any simple questions you may have are already addressed somewhere in the forum. Good forum posting etiquette means you should use the search feature available to you or manually scan the topics before you ask a question. One sure-fired way to get the seasoned posters on your bad side is to ask a question that has already been answered.

Rule #4: Don't Just Talk, Respond Too

Forum posting etiquette dictates that you should respond to at least twice as many threads as you start. If you want people to respond to your threads, it's always best to respond to theirs too.

Rule #5: Use the Title and Subject Fields Wisely

If you are in an informational, technical or help forum, there are many seasoned and experienced subscribers in that forum who are likely willing to help you, but these folks scan the subjects for things they know the answers to and avoid threads that they may not be able to answer.