Self promotion vs signature - newbie question

[jppp]

I am asking a very newbie question. Sometime back, when I had made a personal site, I had inadvertently included a link to the site in one of the forums, while asking a doubt. I did so, thinking that the person answering my question will have a clearer idea of what I want by having a look at the site. Little did I know at that time that I was breaking the rules of the forum by giving a link to my site, which is considered to be an act of self promotion. The moderators were kind enough to point out my mistake without being too harsh with me.

But I have a newbie doubt. What happens when we include a link to the same site in the form of a signature? Does it not become a self promotion then? Or are there certain rules for including one's site as a signature e.g. a certain number of posts or reviews.

I have a personal site which I keep updating during my learning process I have recently learnt how to make a blog. Can I include links to my site as well as my blog as my signatures? Are there any rules to follow for doing so?

[r937]

go ahead and put whatever links you want into your signature (provided that they conform to our guidelines for signatures)

keep in mind that search engines cannot see signatures at all

[jppp]

Thanks a lot. I have read the guidelines for signatures and included links to my personal site as well as the blog as my signatures. I presume the signatures need to be verified before it becomes visible on my posts. How long does it normally take for a signature to become visible on the posts?

[jppp]

Oh, I have got my answer already. I had just finished browsing some forums trying to learn something about signatures and just came back to this thread to check. I found that my signatures are already visible. I say this for the umpteenth time, Sitepoint rocks.

[molona]

they are visible for logged in members, but not to spiders or visitors

[jppp]

Thanks. Is it visible only when I am logged in as well? I had a doubt regarding that.

[spikeZ]

Hi Priya, yes your signature is only visible when you are logged in as well.
Have you moved btw? I am sure you used to be in India!

[jppp]

But Mike, as I am writing this post, you appear to be offline. I am still able to see your signature link, Get your 2009 community award... and click on it as well. Am I missing something here?

[AutisticCuckoo]

You don't have to be logged in for your signature to be visible. But you have to be logged in to see signatures (your own or anyone else's).

So your signature is always visible to everyone who is logged in – whether you yourself is logged in or not.

Only logged-in users will see signatures, i.e., search engine 'bots and guests will never see them. Therefore it is completely pointless to post spammy posts just to gain visibility for your signature links – which, of course, is the whole point.