Cross-posting: Difference between revisions

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=Background=
==Background==
Cross-posting is when a member sends an Offer or Wanted post to more than one community at the same time. It's particularly useful for members who live near several communities.


Cross posting is when a member sends an Offer or Wanted request to more than one group at the same time. It is particularly useful where members live near to two or more groups.  
Some communities discourage cross-posting, or ask members to wait a day or two before reposting elsewhere.


Some groups discourage cross posting or ask members to wait a day or two before reposting on another group.
The change in December 2021 to how posts are shown to members - based on distance rather than group boundaries - should help reduce cross-posting problems over time, as people get a better response without needing to cross-post. Anyone who wants to see a post from outside their "normal area" (20 miles from their postcode, or their local community boundary) can do so by adjusting the distance in their settings.


= Advantages of cross posting: =
If the people cross-posting are using Trash Nothing, moderators can disable it there - there's a "Disallow crossposting to all other groups" setting on TN.


*It is what members want. If they need to dispose of something or acquire something, it is not convenient to have to post to one group at a time.
==Advantages of cross-posting==
*It's more convenient for a member who needs to dispose of or acquire something than posting to one community at a time.
*It can increase the number of messages in each community, making them more useful and highlighting items outside a member's usual boundary.


*It increases the number of messages in each group, making them more useful.
==Disadvantages of cross-posting==
 
*It increases the number of messages in each community.
= Disadvantages of cross posting=
*It could be seen as against the local spirit of Freegle.
 
*It could encourage extra travel and fuel use, although members always have that choice, and may be travelling similar distances anyway as part of their usual social and work life.
*It increases the number of messages in each group, pushing local posts further down the list.
 
*It could be seen as against the spirit of local groups.
 
*It uses more fuel and increases pollution if members travel far to collect.
 
= Problems restricting cross posting:  =
 
*It is time consuming to monitor.
 
*Unless all surrounding groups have a similar policy it can be confusing to members.


==Problems with restricting cross-posting==
*It can be time-consuming to monitor.
*Unless all surrounding communities have a similar policy, it can be confusing for members.
*It may lead to complaints.
*It may lead to complaints.


= How to manage cross-posting restrictions=
==Managing cross-posting restrictions==
 
If you want to restrict cross-posting, you need to decide on a period - some communities ask members to wait 24-48 hours between posts. Explain to members why you have a "no cross-posting" rule, and make sure it's clear in your published community rules.
If you decide to restrict cross-posting you need to decide on a period. Some groups ask members to wait 24-48 hours between posts. Explain to members why you have a 'no cross-posting' rule.
Admins on [[Crossposting]] and [[Keep it Local|Keeping It Local]]
 


Admins: [[Crossposting]] and [[Keep it Local|Keeping It Local]]


<br> Back to [[Specific Circumstances]]  
Back to [[Specific Circumstances]]


[[Category:Specific_Problems]]
[[Category:Difficult Situations & Problems]]

Latest revision as of 12:00, 17 July 2026

Background

Cross-posting is when a member sends an Offer or Wanted post to more than one community at the same time. It's particularly useful for members who live near several communities.

Some communities discourage cross-posting, or ask members to wait a day or two before reposting elsewhere.

The change in December 2021 to how posts are shown to members - based on distance rather than group boundaries - should help reduce cross-posting problems over time, as people get a better response without needing to cross-post. Anyone who wants to see a post from outside their "normal area" (20 miles from their postcode, or their local community boundary) can do so by adjusting the distance in their settings.

If the people cross-posting are using Trash Nothing, moderators can disable it there - there's a "Disallow crossposting to all other groups" setting on TN.

Advantages of cross-posting

  • It's more convenient for a member who needs to dispose of or acquire something than posting to one community at a time.
  • It can increase the number of messages in each community, making them more useful and highlighting items outside a member's usual boundary.

Disadvantages of cross-posting

  • It increases the number of messages in each community.
  • It could be seen as against the local spirit of Freegle.
  • It could encourage extra travel and fuel use, although members always have that choice, and may be travelling similar distances anyway as part of their usual social and work life.

Problems with restricting cross-posting

  • It can be time-consuming to monitor.
  • Unless all surrounding communities have a similar policy, it can be confusing for members.
  • It may lead to complaints.

Managing cross-posting restrictions

If you want to restrict cross-posting, you need to decide on a period - some communities ask members to wait 24-48 hours between posts. Explain to members why you have a "no cross-posting" rule, and make sure it's clear in your published community rules.

Admins: Crossposting and Keeping It Local

Back to Specific Circumstances