I like the idea of a small nominal sign-up fee--no more free sign ups. If you want a free account you still have to put a credit card in and get charged ten bucks or something.
The spammers will find low-hanging fruit somewhere else

I believe when it's reported it's a one strike policy and I'm fine with that. Probably 99% of these are such obvious spam, why give them any more chances to spam us? I'd rather see a fee for a sign-up... that might reduce the number of spammers.

It is already a one time and you are out policy, just have to wait for the folks at AR to get back from the holidays and delete them.

Bob Crane's answer is good. So is enforcement. 

I think the current system takes them out quickly. The holdback is the workload of those at support!

how about ONE STRIKE AND YOU'RE OUT???

One chance to make a first impression and one chance here too, Mel! If we report it, most often the spammer is deleted within 24 hours. 

The three chance option leaves additional opportunities for the contributing members of AR to just get more spam... 

I prefer once reported, and identified as spam, you're out - 

Whoever can eliminate spam should get a Nobel Prize.

sounds good ....

I like the suggestion from Candice A. Donofrio. 

A $25 registration fee would probably eliminate many of the undesirable accounts. Or, just eliminate the free accounts for new members. 

I think those who spot spam, then go ahead and be offended when they continue with reading, should be banned.

Sufficient rules can not be made to protect stupid.

How about first time and your gone?

3 strikes is too generous.

I think things are fine the way they are now Mel Ahrens, MBA, Kelly Right Real Estate . What if one member decides that they don't like you... they could report you 3 times and you would be out just because of a grudge.

spam, is spam.  I think 1 strike is enough.

Why waste the valuable time with a spammer? You post trash - you're out & that's it.

Candice A. Donofrio has come up with a workable, fair plan!

I'd like to see AR staff police that section and delete them on the spot and block their IP address.  They are all fake accounts.  I used to report them, but I got tired of it.

Remove the reason they post in the first place, and you will eliminate most spam.

The reason is, backlinks. 

Remove the ability on new members to add links to their posts, and you will fix 90% of the problem.

The system works.  The issue is that the system does not work 24x7. There are peeps behind the curtain that delete the accounts. 

I like the idea of a fee for sign up.

 Candice A. Donofrio has a viable idea. A

Worth discussing

Fine by me.

If it helps why not

1 strike & yer out!

AR will be left with 374 only not 313,374 RE professional who post blog on AR.

Think Candice has a great idea.

1.  Eliminate the Industry Observer classification

2. Require new members to provide their license number and proof of classification - agent, broker, inspector, etc, - copy of their license would work

3. Verify license before member can actually post.

Some of the real estate groups I am in require #2 and #3 and one requires that you answers 2-3 questions about the group rules to prove you have read them.

Otherwise, you can read but not post.

OR...eliminate the free accounts completely (help generate revenue for AR)

OR at a minimum, charge the registration fee that's been mentioned.