Can't ask a question in the forum

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  kiefferceramics · Member · Jan 6, 2015 at 12:26 pm

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  I’m having a problem on my blog, and sought to ask a question in the forum (which I’ve successfully done several times in the past), but when I entered my query, it was immediately marked as “closed,” listed me as an “admin,” and that the topic was “started 45 years ago by anonymous.” Very frustrated about my initial problem, and now I can’t even access the forum for an answer. You can see my three attempts under the topic “Fake Subscribers” in the Support forum.

  I appreciate help getting into the forum, or with my query to the forum (below).

  Hello, Forum!

  I have been receiving a rash of clearly fake subscribers to my blog about my handmade pottery (like
  (email visible only to moderators and staff),
  (email visible only to moderators and staff), as well as seemingly fake WP users), and wonder if there’s any way to 1. prevent this, and/or 2. manage my subscriber list? (I’ve scavenged my dashboard, and don’t see any way…) I have a blog subscription widget via WordPress.com, which allows easy sign-up, but without any type of verification option.

  My blog was recently featured on a pottery site as one to follow, and the fake subscribers has picked up since. I have 2559 followers, which is impossibly high.

  I want to keep the widget button to allow real users, but am frustrated by the spammy followers.

  Any suggestions are most welcome.
  Best, Kristen

  The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)

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  jeremeylduvall · Member · Jan 6, 2015 at 9:58 pm

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  Hey Kristen,

  I’m sorry to hear about your troubles submitting a support forum thread! I don’t see the forum thread you’re mentioning. If this happens again, please do let us know.

  In regards to managing your subscribers, there isn’t a way for you to remove a subscriber or screen your subscribers for spam at the moment. However, it’s something we’re currently investigating.

  For now, the only option would be to change the visibility settings for your site to private.

  http://en.support.wordpress.com/settings/privacy-settings/#site-visibility-options

  However, making your site private would mean that only visitors you choose could access your site (likely not the best option if you’re looking to build up your traffic).

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  kiefferceramics · Member · Jan 6, 2015 at 10:52 pm

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  Thanks for responding, Jeremey!

  I tried to get on the forum 10 or so hours ago, if that helps you see my posts, and the “response” to them.

  Regarding spam subscribers, I would like to strongly chime in on a need for WP to create a humanizing verification for the subscribe widget. I’ve received six new fake subscribers since I wrote this morning, and again, some of them are spam email addresses, but the others are fake WP accounts. It would be nice to have a real since of my subscribers.

  Making the blog private indeed defeats the purpose.

  Thanks for the reply.
  Best, Kristen

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  jeremeylduvall · Member · Jan 6, 2015 at 11:55 pm

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  Hey Kristen,

  I definitely understand your point of view here. That would be aggravating. We’re putting some measures in place that should slow this down and hopefully prevent it from happening.