Selecting and Promoting Moderators: More about GAG Moderation!

[GirlsAskGuys]

Moderators help keep the GAG community a helpful and safe environment for everyone. They are volunteer users who make recommendations to the admins regarding content which should be removed from the site. Moderators temporarily hide content that violates the guidelines of the site until an admin can review it.

There are 3 types of moderators:

Moderator

Super Moderator

Uber Moderator

There are also admin users:

GirlsAskGuys Admin Staff

More information about moderation and moderators can be found here.

How to become a GAG Mod?

There are several factors considered while appointing Mod Status.

1. Xper level 5+: A Mod should know the "GAG culture" and how the site works. By Xper Level 5, a user should be well aware this as well as what the posting guidelines are. This is why only xper level 5+ users are considered when selecting moderators.

2. Report success ratio: This is one of the most important criteria that is looked at when deciding who would make a good moderator. When a user reports posts that they feel violates the guidelines of the site, the reported post is evaluated by the admins who then decides to either remove or reinstate the post. The success rate on reports by each user is calculated by the system automatically. A user with a high percentage success rate on reports is more likely to get a moderator invite.

3. Being a top user: When deciding who should become a moderator, it is also important to look for users who are active on the site and log in frequently, these are considered "top users." They are users who are active and post interesting, informational, or helpful content. Being an active member and contributing to the site is an important aspect of being a moderator. We like to see users who are engaged in the GirlsAskGuys community and interacting in a positive way with other users.

4. Communicating clearly with other members: It is important to show your ability to communicate effectively with other members. Users who strive to help others and conduct themselves clearly on the site are more likely to be noticed for possible moderator status. It's also great to see users who can handle themselves calmly in debates and show good judgement. Objectivity is something that is important for moderators. Everyone has their own opinions, views, and beliefs on certain topics. However, you can still voice those values to someone without making it personal, or being offensive.

5. Providing quality questions and opinions: Posting content that is well thought out and in-depth rather than one or two word answers is what makes a user stand out and be considered for possible moderator status. Elaborate on your posts and make sure it is helpful, insightful and easily understandable. Similarly, when asking questions, make sure it is valuable, interesting, and grammatically correct. These are all factors that are taken into account when choosing moderators.

SuperMod and UberMod Promotions

Other than simply deciding who to extend moderator invitations to, it is also important to look at the current moderators activities to gauge who should be promoted. There is criteria that goes into these decisions as well.

1. Hide success ratio: When a Moderator hides a post on the site, the Admins will review it and make a final decision. Having a high hide success ratio means that a lot of the posts a Moderator has hidden has been removed by the admins. If an admin is constantly having to reinstate posts hidden by a moderator, that moderator is less likely to be considered for promotion to super mod or uber mod and may even lose their mod status.

2. Report success ratio: Although regular mods cannot hide questions or myTakes they should still keep reporting these posts so that they demonstrate their knowledge about which questions/myTakes do not meet the GAG guidelines. A moderator with a high report success ratio for questions is more likely to be promoted to super moderator.

3. Being a helpful mod: Engaging with the site in positive ways, establishing a good relationship with the community, and seeking to help other users with either site-related or personal questions is a great quality for a mod to have. These mods are more likely to be promoted.

As you can see, there are many factors that determine whether or not a user will be invited to be a moderator. Of course, users can also request to become a moderator and the admins then look into their report success ratio as well as their activity around the community before deciding if they should become a moderator or not. If you are interested in becoming a moderator, you can contact us. If you want to see who the current members are on the moderation team, check out the FAQ here.

[jammasterjay]

If I was a site moderator and said publicly I just visited your profile and I realized that I should talk to you anymore after reading your views which depicts your real intentions, then accused you of stalking (we've never spoken before) then blocked you... would you think that was bad form on my part as a moderator?
Remember mods can't trawl through your profile and look at your comments if they're pretty much all anon anyway. If I get censored for less offensive member posts than that- then mods should too! It's the principle, not the offense.
Then if the user messages girlsaskguys about the issue and gets no response, would you consider that acceptable? Clearly you do.
The moderator who did this has been promoted. I think this is shockingly bad form all in all.
The way I see it mods should set the standard, not get defensive then use their status to engage in petty tactics in an attempt to damage your reputation. As a user you operate within the framework and it often works against you. All this means more likely users will throw the community guidelines out of the window and that compromises the usability of the site and your mission statement.
If you think this opinion is offensive, antagonistic, a member post or whatever other category it would fit in for you to remove it, then I'll be another long term member and guru with a lot of xper who walks away.

[Mesonfielde]

No, this post is neither offensive, nor antagonistic, non member post, nor nonsense. I'm pretty sure it's fine according to the guidelines.

Anyways,

""If I was a site moderator and said publicly I just visited your profile and I realized that I should talk to you anymore after reading your views which depicts your real intentions, then accused you of stalking (we've never spoken before) then blocked you... would you think that was bad form on my part as a moderator?""

To be fair, that is their own individual choice to determine whom they want to interact with or not, although this isn't really a public thing. I'd probably would have resolved this in PM, although I don't get into conflicts like this in the first place (I have no one blocked :P )

But yes, if someone makes a "member post" like " @Mesonfielde is a total douche whiteknighting ___[insert cuss words here]___", that'll get removed whether it's posted by a mod or not. This is why objectivity is important.

[Mesonfielde]

Moderators are not exempt from the rules either. Although I do admit, I've made mistakes in the past, I've been making sure to avoid them since! I personally take the guidelines seriously; but in an objective manner. It makes no sense to hide a post just because you disagree with it. I'm pretty sure that'd just mess with your success ratio. :P

[YourFutureEx]

This is what we literally call freedom of speech and the choice of the people we want to interact with. That was nothing bad at all. This post is neither offensive, nor antagonistic, non member post, nor nonsense. I'm pretty sure it's fine according to the guidelines. ;)
He blocked you? Really? Oh dear. I am sure that he doesn't have more than one guy in his block list because he's a brave and benevolent man but after all, we all are human beings. We have a toleration limit. He's living his life happily, all thanks to block feature. He's promoted? Oh he must be a super hero. You should move on and realise the bad part. You're are an adult now and it is expected from you to have a better understanding. So behave like that. Spread the love and happiness.
@Mesonfielde elaborated nicely.

[jammasterjay]

@Mesonfielde www.girlsaskguys.com/.../q1392135-once-twice-thrice

"I just visited your profile and I realised that I should talk to you anymore after reading your views which depicts your real intentions."

"26 years old? Oh I remember that anon guy of that age group (25-29) who use to stalk me every where. Thanks for revealing yourself.
Now I could browse GAG with less trouble. YAY!
Byeee..."

That's designed to paint me in a negative light, these are member posts. Considering I post anonymously most of the time and mods can't see anonymous posts, how could he read my views which depict my real intentions? It's just totally fallacious as is the accusation of stalking. I messaged GaG directly through contact and PMing girlsaskguys and they didn't have the courtesy to reply. YourFutureEx just commented here to take the piss, nothing more.
I've had comments removed because they were "member posts" on far more flimsy grounds.

[jammasterjay]

I'm not highly ranked or anything but 36,000 xper and 16% mho does show a decent contribution to this website. Bearing all this in mind, I can understand the frustrations of others and why they might choose to leave. For me the inconsistency just means people can't be bothered, everyone knows it's a problem. It's also obvious mods are poorly chosen. It's a joke really, how can you stick to your mission statement when you're negligent?

[Mesonfielde]

... ah. Those aren't really member posts, member post is when you specify the name of someone and call them asshats behind their back, post a question about what kind of doofus they are, etc. If there's any label this *could* be under if I wanted to, it'd be "antagonistic", but technically it's not directly offensive enough for that.

@YourFutureEx yo. Funnily enough, apparently you're actually the mod in question who's said to have been antagonistic in expressing his opinion. I kinda see what he means:

`I don't need to prove anything to *a random guy like you*`

Don't say stuff like that, although I do admit this was 2 months ago. Be nice.

[jammasterjay]

@Mesonfielde There's that subjectivity again, the "member posts" I had removed weren't in line with what you just said either, but it seems if it suits GaG they'll remove them, if not, they won't.

[jammasterjay]

So it's like we'll be lenient with this guy because he's a mod, but we'll remove that guy's comments because they could possibly fit under the umbrella of a member post. It's like a joke version of police corruption but in GaG form.

[jammasterjay]

@Mesonfielde "Your Opinion (listed below) has been removed because it was about a member, in a negative sense."

There's no escaping the fact that his comments were about me in a negative sense. But whatever, I'm sure I'm the only one who falls foul of dodgy posting guidelines! ;p

[Mesonfielde]

I don't really care whether he's a mod or not, if he had been directly antagonistic I would have removed the comments as if he wasn't a mod. Don't forget, the opinions that are removed are technically just the few moderators and above coming across your opinion, then deciding on whether it is in violation of the guidelines or not. And then they hide it, then the Admins decide if it should be removed or not. That's just how it is!
It has nothing to do with him being a mod, though. This is not a member post yet, but it's also not "antagonistic" yet (enough to be removed, in my opinion) - but I do admit it's not exactly the right tone if you want to resolve a conflict. This is not how I would have handled it.

[Toadette]

"I'll be another long term member and guru with a lot of xper who walks away"

No! You're my second favorite Guru :'( that'll just reinforce my idea of leaving GaG.

[jammasterjay]

@Mesonfielde I don't really understand how saying you've visited someone's profile and realized you shouldn't talk to them anymore because of their "true intentions" and saying the user is a stalker.. isn't antagonistic. It's tantamount to smearing. Like I say I post anon as well, so it's exacerbated by the fact that it's not only false but it's also a fabrication... as is the stalking allegation. It's antagonistic to me, it means I don't respect the guidelines because mods of all people are allowed to get away with shit like that.

[jammasterjay]

@Toadette sometimes it's fun here, but the establishment only wants you to have state approved, sanitized fun! I'll say bye before I leave, promise!

[Toadette]

Well I'm going to take a break soon. So I'll be away for some time. But I hope you don't you been here for 3 years!

[jammasterjay]

@Toadette let me know before you take a break, because I'll probably leave while you do. The stuff above makes me realize I'd rather not contribute to a website run by corrupt, perverse, petty and parochial characters. I posted this www.girlsaskguys.com/.../q1532089-i-got-this-feeling-that-gag-mods-hate-my-guts-does-anyone-else-feel and within half an hour I got five opinion removed messages through and my account was frozen for 48 hours, almost as if an admin had gone through my account and removed whatever they could that they would consider offensive in a sort of petty punishment.
If I'm inactive without saying goodbye, it means I was banned.

[jammasterjay]

For the record, before I go, I don't hate mods, I just hate mods who abuse their power and behave like dickheads.

[jammasterjay]

"And it's no surprise that I'm happy after blocking him because now, that anon (25-27) guy doesn't offend me in my questions which literally means that it was him. And now he can not do this anymore, that's why he's making this a big deal."
Bullshit. If he'd filtered anon answers that would have been the solution in the first place. This stalking thing makes no sense to anyone with any logic and it's antagonistic, listening GaG? It just makes no sense.

[GirlScoutsRevenge]

Hmmmm... much like your other rules you seem to follow them when it suits you only. Many mods don't match those criteria ion my opinion and #3 can just be replaced by Popular Users.

The limited word answers is one that many are guilty of. It seems they only answer to appear engaged. The answer is as generic and lacking in insight as a cut-to-size innersole.

However, there are some good mods who are fair and who are active and engaging with the users and the site. Probably more good than bad.

[YourFutureEx]

Thank you admin staff and the development team for giving me opportunity to become a part of the mod team and giving me this prestigious (U) badge. I hope I contributed my efforts to keep this place clean and more friendly and animated. I know my last month didn't end well as a moderator and this month I was not that active because of exams but yeah I'm back with the full spirit.

So many mods left nowadays, so I hope we can have some great new members here and I hope this take will help them :)

Stay awesome!

[YourFutureEx]

@Mesonfielde

"People do it all the time so you're not alone, (if that's what you were doing) but you're a mod.. tututut."
-he hates mods. He was just trying too hard to incite me. I even removed his antagonistic posts. Those were very disgusting. Having 16% doesn't mean that you are smart. Error_204 had 19% MHO and Virulent had 3% MHO but still the fact is, they were the same guy.

And it's no surprise that I'm happy after blocking him because now, that anon (25-27) guy doesn't offend me in my questions which literally means that it was him. And now he can not do this anymore, that's why he's making this a big deal. Even you know that how old this thing is.

And you've read all this, where's that "mod" thing came in that conversation? It was just about literature. But he has issues. And you don't know how many questions he asked after that incident targeting me and repoted to admins about my exoneration from the mod team.

But at last, truth shall prevail.

[Political_dude]

Wtf! YFX is talking politely with admins and showing gratitude? What's wrong with you?

[YourFutureEx]

@Political_dude I have multiple personality disorder
._.

[JackKerouac77]

I WILL NOT DEACTIVATE IF GIVEN THE ADMIN POSITION IN 10 MINUTES!

THIS IS NOT EXTORTION

geniebelt.com/.../gun-to-head.jpg

[Riverock]

None of these requirements or ranks will matter when I have plotted my way to GaG domination one step at a time.

Muahahahahaha...

iambrony.steeph.tp-radio.de/.../...%20plotting.gif

[RainbowFanGirl]

Yessss MLP!

[Riverock]

@RainbowFanGirl I have decided I like you. In my new regime, you will be kept.

[Riverock]

@RainbowFanGirl

[Rcjh1987]

awwww just cute my little pony

[Riverock]

@RainbowFanGirl We'll see who's cute when that pony takes over...

[Riverock]

@Rcjh1987 We'll see who's cute when that pony takes over...

Bloody Gag. Why do the comments swap around when I turn off anon? That's the first thing I'll ban.

[Rcjh1987]

lol it wasn't rainbow it was me thst said it was cute

[Riverock]

@Rcjh1987 I know. See the comment above your second one. Turning the anon function on and off confused me.

You've probably realised at this point that my planned coup is unlikely to come off without a hitch. :/

[Rcjh1987]

what I swear it said rainbow and not me... maybe I should go back to bed lol , taking over anything has its setbacks haha , one day at a time

[Riverock]

@Rcjh1987 I had to make that comment twice because the first time I made it to the wrong person. *facepalm*

Well, here it's quarter past 1 and I'm in work so GaG domination scheme number 1 will have to be edited later.

[Rcjh1987]

oh haha ok so I wasn't dreaming lol

[AleDeEurope]

I got a message telling me I was selected to be a mod, but I declined, cause I wouldn't be doing anything since I don't like reporting posts or comments, unless they have a sexual image, I would allow everything since it's freedom of speech. There are some posts here that get deleted that I would never have reported. I may not agree with what they're saying, but they have the right to post that.
That's why I didn't wanna become a mod, even though I appreciate the fact that they selected me.

[Luvme66]

Thanks for providing the pros of not being a mod

[Prof_Don]

Excellent insight on GaG moderation.

Too many people think that we have the power to see anonymous people, see private profiles, and have the power to delete profiles.

Us GaG moderators are regular users, who contribute to the site as well. Don't think we are some glorious untouchable users! :-D

[MarkyyG123]

Somebody hand this man an MHO! hahaha :") Nicely done Mate :)

[Prof_Don]

@MarkyyG123

*gives secret moderator hand shake *

[MarkyyG123]

Hahahaha much obliged Bud :) and yeah, we ought to be careful with that handshake, its top secret, best watch out hey mate haha

[Hannah591]

Exactly! I've had things removed as a moderator, yet I never complain! We're certainly not untouchable.

[Ozanne]

Mods and Admins, you are all appreciated! Thanks for putting up with us. :)

[GirlsAskGuys]

Thanks for helping the community Ozanne :)

[Hannah591]

N'aww, you're not that bad. ;D

[bingbongbangbung]

So basically instead of paying people to properly moderate your website, you get volunteers that are more often than not prone to power tripping as well as forcing your own staff to take on extra responsibilities without much pay. Yeah I can definitely see why this website is as unpopular as it is compared to Quora or Yahoo Answers that have/had tens of or even hundreds of millions of users on a consistent basis. If you can't afford to hire proper moderation whether with dedicated staff and/or using AI mods, then maybe change your business model or get new executives.

[MaskedSanity]

As far as aware these roles are not rewarded in any way, so what exactly is the point to becoming a mod? Where's the incentive?

If the answer is "you'll keep the website civil and that's its own reward", then I thoroughly LOL at the whole thing.

[StickStickity13]

LOL.

[abundantlyrich]

They are after the 25. oo gift card rewarded once a month for highest reporting

[MaskedSanity]

@abundantlyrich

Meh, too much effort to bother, I earn more than that in an hour at my job. ;p

[Hannah591]

Maybe so but we get that gift card for sitting online, reporting bad posts. It's really easy so it's a decent reward for minimal work.

[MaskedSanity]

Maybe I'd appreciate moderators more if the reporting wasn't so kindergartenesque in terms of what is considered "bad".

It would be very out of character for me to partake in this.

[dudegrt09]

"providing quality questions and opinions" ... okay there goes my chance of being a moderator.

[YourFutureEx]

You literally have the quality :)

[dudegrt09]

thanks bro, in some opinions I do invest time in order to give a helpful opinion, but I also troll some questions by giving completely useless or funny opinion.

[dudegrt09]

@YourFutureEx thanks bro, in some opinions I do invest time in order to give a helpful opinion, but I also troll some questions by giving completely useless or funny opinion.

[YourFutureEx]

Ditto lol but constructively :)

[Remonster]

Being a good, fair and involved mod can be hard work. It's discouraging to see how often these positions go entirely unpaid while the core staff reaps the big fat rewards for not having to pay people to police their site.

[Nachowedgie]

Wish I could be a mod, I know it'd never happen but I often help wankiam and dangerDoge catch recurring trolls who get their accounts removed/from and come back again with a new one. Unfortunately I haven't been able to report anything for months because the report button doesn't respond when I press it which sucks.

[GirlsAskGuys]

If you are having issues with the report button, please contact this account and further explain this issue.

[DivaMonae]

Really useful things to know so we can have a heads up on the requirements if any of us have an interest. 😊

[Kris85]

Very good take on the descriptions of the different Moderators!! Hopefully this will help clear up any questions anyone had about being a Mod

[dogbert777]

It looks like there is something important missing from this. A precise statement of who to report to and how. I have a good idea, but it needs to be written here in exact terms.

[Anonymous]

A key requirement is that you have to be very liberial and politically correct.

[Hannah591]

The requirements needed are those stated in the take.

[Opinion Owner]

The unspoken requirements are different. Someone can flag something as offensive but because it is liberial it is allowed and your percentage gets hurt. Also you can write something and have it flagged because it offends liberials and the liberial moderator agrees. It is all subjective and leans heavily to liberial.

[PT1911]

Exactly what this guy said @Hannah591

Someone said I am not worthy of the air I breathe and deserve to die all because I disagree with gay marriage and expressed it in a civil, non violent, non agitating way. That comment is still there.

Yet if I tell a girl that her boyfriend lacked a strong male role model and the current trend of feminizing our men is what resulted in what she called and I quote "unmanly behavior" thats considered spam and reported.

So yes, like this wonderful gentleman said, and I'll put it in even more blunt terms:

Get your shit together and realize free speech is speech that some will love and some will hate.

I'm writing one last mytake and quoting because the extreme liberal and hateful agenda this site has towards those of a conservative nature is sickening

[Opinion Owner]

Well said, PT1911. Liberials are very intolerant of other points of view. There is an irony there as they ofter speak of intolerance and being closed minded when they remain closed to the idea that other have points of view that are different.

[Opinion Owner]

PT, stick around and fight the fight.

[PT1911]

I got my AR in one hand and a glass of whiskey and a cigar in the other

[BellePepper]

@PT1911

Moderators can't see everything. If you see a comment you think violates the posting guidelines, you can flag it just like we can.

[PT1911]

@BellePepper its the general principle and attitude that I'm talking about.

[BellePepper]

@PT1911

I understand. But like I said, sometimes we just don't see everything. You have the same right to pleasant experience as everyone else. It doesn't matter which side of the aisle (or if you're even in the house) if someone is being that offensive. Sometimes we have to take the initiative to see things change.

[PT1911]

@BellePepper while I appreciate you being open on this matter, I really don't think it will, but I understand your viewpoint. I've always reported what I found to be a violation of rules and nothing was really done. Instead I just block the person that said it

Anyway, this is one of the reasons I'm getting close to leaving, not that it matters to you specifically, as you don't know me on here that well lol.

[BellePepper]

@PT1911

I knooooow that feel. It's like how many offensive remarks are needed grrrr! I haven't been on the other side of things so I have no idea how it works at all. Only ~speculation~ Good on you for reporting though!

Ultimately its your choice so good luck where ever you decide to wander to!

[Opinion Owner]

I have reported obviously offensive racial question about whites. Nothing happened. A few hours late I posted the same question but switched the word black for the word white. That oist was taken down immediatley. Then I created a question asking why there was such a difference and that it was wrong amd linked to the original post that was offensive. That new post was also taken down. Three days later, after the question had run its course, the original offensive post was finally taken down.

There is a clear bias and there is a clear bias among some members to push their agenda which is either sex related or race related. If you are traditional or religious expect to be attacked but dont you dare attack them or they swarm with reports.

I get it. It is biased here. Just don't piss on me and tell me it is raining.

[Political_dude]

@BellePepper you're mod too? 👀

[BellePepper]

@Political_dude waaaaaay back in the day ;)

[findingdreamland]

Thanks for the Take. I just wonder. I have seen lately. What is 'Editor' badge?

[GirlsAskGuys]

Editors are users who write a lot of good myTakes so they have been given the "Editor" title which means all of the myTakes they write will be promoted automatically. More information can be found in the FAQ. https://www.girlsaskguys.com/faq#185

[findingdreamland]

Ok thanks for the info. 😊

[BellePepper]

Super easy and super clear! TY for the good information!

[I_am_repulsive]

Can a moderator troll on a daily basis and also be biased?

[YourFutureEx]

Normal user = moderator.

[Hannah591]

Shouldn't it be moderator = normal user? @YourFutureEx :P

[YourFutureEx]

@Hannah591 I'm laughing so hard on myself right now 😂

Win just win.

[WhatTheHellAmy]

There is no way I become a "moderator" I FUCKING HATE CENSORSHIP!

[kangy]

people are not paid for the job. virtual promotion is not real life promotion so whats the point?
really see no benefit

[Hans222]

Well, there's one thing that I like a lot about being a mod Kangy, that is: when you see a post that is really offensive to a user or a group you can hide it right away. Often before the user gets a really bad feeling from it.
Imagine somone would most an opinion to a question of you saying "you Asian bitch just jump into the Chinese Sea okay"... than I'd be happy I could hide that bomb immediately!
Apart from that, it's not about being proud to be a mod, that's true. But I like being on GAG and appreciate the confidence the community has in me :D

[YourFutureEx]

LOL @ @Hans222 's explanation haha great 😁

[HandsomeRaj]

It's voluntary dear girl :) those doing it are part of the community to keep the members safe from various situations. It is by itself a rise in life keeping your backyard clean :D :)