Merge sections and/or revamp section rules

Describe the problem:
Software Sales
Web Market
Social Media Services and Usernames
These 3 sections are just a cesspool for post farming, market manipulation and and outdated section rules. Web Market section actually has no specific section rules, and the what goes here pinned thread honestly allows users to manipulate these sections as they believe that is what can go in that section when actually it was (at one point) a list with clickable links to the proper sections. The one section called "Custom Software Sales" is now Software Services and it's rules talks about offering Programmers advertising their services for freelance jobs yet it's also just full of discord bots sales.

What current rule(s) tackle this problem: Each section has its own set of rules (except web market), but they are too broad and allow for this current issue. Then if you try to approach it with the spamming rule, depending on the reviewing moderator, you get different outcomes (this would be due to broad section rules and that moderators own interpretation of the rule.)

Explain the change: Just like OSRS account section, users can not flood the market with a post of a same account in multiple sections. Create a section called: Digital Commerce (or whatever staff votes on or chooses) and put all 3 of these sections inside of that one section as sub-sections. This would now stop users from posting 3 threads for discord bot creations in 3 sections or if they did allowed moderation team to take action on reported post without a grey area being there.

A second option would be to revamp the section rules to include a much more clear policy and guideline on what can be posted. The current section rules allow for to much grey area and potentially have more been updated or expanded since the creation of the section.

Explain why this change will fix the problem: It would stop users from flooding the market with one items spread across all these sections. It makes the site look trashy when the exact same post is posted in different sections when it shouldn't be. It would also allow for items in their respective sections that have been buried by auto bumpers of discord bot sales to actually be seen.

Side-effects: Users upset they can't post farm and manipulate the market and Google search algorithm with their products.

Attached is just 3 examples of the issues. Users named blocked out as I am not attacking them personally, but just want these sections cleaned up. Yes the dates on the post may have an old date cause it when they first posted it. But they are all active post still.

 

I support your idea, would definitely tidy the forums up

 

Actually I see that part of my issues listed has been in pending since 2022.
Rule amendments for Software Sales

 

Fair.
Previously I had reported posts in these sections. No action taken.
Then I just decided to do it myself. If ya can't beat em'... join em?
Anyways, two of the threads were finally locked.

 

Right. And not mad at the users because it's a issue with the way the current rules in those sections are. It is was to broad and allows for people to take advantage.

 

Support but there’s a lot more than just 3 that need merging

 

No disagreement. But let's start small and move up. I think if it was suggested to do a lot at once would be instant denial.

 

Merging at least a few sections is kind of a no-brainer at this point

 

Good point i support i agree that would make the forum more organized

 

This suggestion is about three sections specifically but I would go a lot further and suggest the entire site needs a serious mega-merge.

The forums (outside the market) have drastically dropped in activity. I'm not even sure merging forums would increase activity, the site in general is sadly on a continuous decline.