🛡️ Moderation Playbook

How to Moderate Self-Promotion on Skool

Skool

Self-promotion on Skool refers to members sharing content, links, or offers primarily to benefit themselves, rather than add value to the group. This includes posting affiliate links, promoting personal businesses, or repeatedly directing members to external sites.

Unchecked self-promotion disrupts group trust, clutters discussions, and can quickly turn a vibrant community into a spam-filled channel. It is one of the most common moderation issues on Skool, especially in groups that attract entrepreneurs or creators. Effective moderation is essential to foster engagement and maintain a helpful environment.

🚨 Red Flags to Watch For

⚠️ excessive external links
⚠️ posting affiliate URLs
⚠️ inviting members to DM for offers
⚠️ repeatedly sharing same product
⚠️ discount or coupon codes
⚠️ ALL CAPS promotional messages
⚠️ copy-pasted sales text
⚠️ links to personal websites
⚠️ unsolicited event invites
⚠️ offering paid services
⚠️ spamming comment sections
⚠️ posting in unrelated threads
⚠️ using referral codes
⚠️ posting without community engagement
⚠️ offering free trials to private groups

What to Look For

Watch for posts or comments where the main focus is on selling, recruiting, or promoting personal products or services. Common red flags include excessive links to external sites, repeated sharing of the same offer, or unsolicited private messages promoting something.

On Skool, self-promoters may use vague value-driven headlines but quickly pivot to pitching their own services or products. Posts with phrases like 'DM me for details' or offering exclusive discounts are typical warning signs. Monitor for patterns, such as members who only post when promoting and rarely engage in other discussions.

Why This Happens

Self-promotion often stems from members seeking to leverage the group audience for their own gain. Some may not realize their behavior is disruptive, especially if they come from platforms where self-promotion is the norm.

Others knowingly push boundaries, hoping the reach outweighs any potential consequences. Lack of clear guidelines or inconsistent moderation can encourage this behavior to spread.

Immediate Actions

  • 1 Remove the self-promotional post
  • 2 Send a warning DM to the member
  • 3 Document the incident
  • 4 Remind the group of the rules
  • 5 Monitor the member’s future activity
  • 6 Escalate repeat violations
  • 7 Restrict posting if necessary

How to Respond

When self-promotion occurs, act quickly to remove or edit offending content. Send a direct message to the member, referencing your group’s guidelines and explaining why their post was removed. Document the incident for future reference.

For repeat offenders, consider muting or suspending their posting ability. Publicly reinforce your policy with a friendly reminder post, so other members understand the importance of the rules. Always remain professional and avoid public shaming.

🎯 Prevention Strategies

  • Set clear self-promotion guidelines upfront
  • Pin rules at the top of your Skool group
  • Require approval for new member posts
  • Use keyword filters and alerts
  • Encourage members to report violations
  • Regularly remind community of the rules
  • Provide examples of allowed and disallowed posts

Example Scenarios

Scenario:

A member posts a link to their coaching service in multiple threads.

Response:

Remove the posts, send a warning DM, and monitor for repeat behavior.

Scenario:

A user sends unsolicited DMs offering discounts to group members.

Response:

Warn the user, restrict DM privileges if possible, and notify affected members.

Scenario:

A new member joins and immediately shares an affiliate product link.

Response:

Delete the post, refer the user to guidelines, and require post approval for new members.

Scenario:

A regular contributor subtly promotes their paid course in helpful replies.

Response:

Privately remind the member about self-promotion rules and edit posts if needed.

🤖 How StickyHive Automates This

StickyHive automates self-promotion moderation on Skool using advanced AI detection to flag posts and comments with promotional intent. Real-time alerts notify moderators instantly, while customizable keyword monitoring helps spot subtle or evolving tactics.

StickyHive frees up your time by filtering likely self-promotion, allowing you to focus on building a genuine community. Try StickyHive to keep your Skool group clean and welcoming.

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FAQs

What qualifies as self-promotion on Skool?

Any post, comment, or message primarily intended to promote a personal product, service, or link.

How can I distinguish between helpful sharing and self-promotion?

Look for intent: helpful sharing adds value without expectation, while self-promotion is focused on personal gain.

What should I do if a member ignores warnings?

Escalate by restricting their posting ability or, if needed, removing them from the group.

Can I allow some forms of promotion?

Yes, but set clear boundaries, such as a dedicated promo thread or specific days for sharing offers.

Does Skool provide built-in moderation tools?

Yes, Skool offers post removal, member muting, and admin-only threads to support moderation efforts.

How does automated moderation help?

Tools like StickyHive use AI and keyword monitoring to detect and alert you to likely self-promotion, saving time.