Do post exchanges really work?

[Mrs Shortie Clause's iconMrs Shortie Clause]

I have been around forums now and creating my own for over 20 years, and in the earlier forum days, post exchanges were extremely popular, with many taking part in them to boost activity on their forums.

Fast forwarding to now, and as much as we do see some people taking part in post exchanges, it is not as popular as it used to be.

I am someone who takes part in post exchanges, but when I think about it, does it really help a forum? If you are doing post exchanges with others just because they want posts in return, what is to say that they have an interest in your forum or even the topics being discussed on your forum?

Do post exchanges really work? What are your thoughts?

 

[Ghost of Christmas Past's iconGhost of Christmas Past]

I always prefer to do an active / active exchange and don't really focus on a set amount per day. Just whatever me and the other person feel comfortable with. It shows that we are both committed to each others forum.

 

[Sanjeev]

I don't think it works because for your forum to be active you need people who post regularly not for fixed period of time.

 

[Ginger]

I think it does. I have seen many people who owns a forum and do post exchanges and once they have enough posts from different users they sell these off for a big amount.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

Based on my experience, it work sometimes, but you have to be careful. Some people promise to drop some posts and disappear once you do your part of the deal. Others actually keep their word and you both grow. But long-term, it’s not sustainable unless the forum has natural traffic. It helps a little, especially for new forums, but you shouldn’t depend on it too much.

 

[Ginger]

I have seen users that are active on different forums and also happens to have their own forum, even if it's a non paying one, do love these post exchange and it's basically a free way to get more content for your forum.