How should i handle subtle self-promotion by new members without seeming harsh?

[Daniel83]

I’ve noticed a few newer members in our community consistently post promotional links disguised as helpful comments. Our rules are clear about self-promotion, but their posts are just borderline enough that I’m hesitating to act. How do you all handle this kind of subtle, persistent commercial behavior without coming across as overly harsh?

[JeffreyP]

I tried a quiet nudge first. I sent a short DM to the person who kept dropping links, explained what the rule means in practical terms, and gave two concrete examples of what a helpful comment looks like vs a promo post. I asked them to pause the promotional links for a while and to add context that helps community members. It felt softer in tone and after a week the cadence changed a bit, fewer borderline posts came through.

[ZoeyG]

I did a public reminder in a thread where this happened a lot. I quoted the rule in plain terms and asked people to attach something beyond a link that shows why it helps the group. The crowd reaction was mixed; some people thanked the clarity, others pushed back. I didn't ban anyone, just flagged a couple more posts for review.

[Nora_M]

Another time I saw a newcomer keep posting nearly every day with 'resources' that were basically ads. I filed a report and left a note in the thread describing why it crosses the line, then watched the next few posts to see if the pattern changed. It slowed down for a bit, but it didn't disappear and I kept feeling like I might have overreacted.

[AdamWR]

I keep doubting whether the problem is really the posts or something in how the community operates. Maybe we need to rethink what counts as value in this space, or adjust the feed so good questions rise above the links. It feels like endless caution might dull the vibe, and I end up not acting until I’m sure.