If you use the game boards found on GameSpot's game pages, then I'm pretty sure you know about them being moderated and powered by GameFAQs. Many years ago, we combined our game boards with GameFAQs' game boards, and since then GameSpot members and GameFAQs members have been able to interact about their favorite games.

　　Over the years, we have considered how we can provide a positive experience for GameSpot members who visit the game boards, although as you might recall, it has been a challenge. For years, GameSpot members couldn't determine how or why they were moderated, because there were no game board moderations in their moderation history. GameSpot moderators didn't have access to GameFAQs' moderation tools, so there was no way for them to help either.

　　A couple of years ago we implemented a way for our members to view any moderation made by GameFAQs in their moderation history, but even that caused some confusion. GameSpot staff and moderators couldn't see the reason for the moderation to at least be able to share some advice about ways to avoid getting moderated in the game boards. When a GameSpot member asked why they were moderated, it was difficult to determine, because the reason was "GameSpot reason" on all moderated reports. We decided that there had to be something else we could do for our members, so we put in two other requests last year: post private message notifications when users are moderated in game boards, and display abuse reasons on the moderated abuse report.

　　Last September, the game board moderation notifications began working, and we were happy to see a flood of thankful messages from all of you. And, finally, as of this week, we rolled out the actual violation reasons for all game board moderation. What does this change mean for you? If you end up getting moderated in the game boards, you can now view the violation reason in the moderated item found in your moderation history. All members can now compare the violation reasons with the Terms of Use agreement!

　　The game board moderation change also gives the GameSpot moderators a way to help you determine why you might have been moderated in the game boards, although their assumptions will not always be accurate. GameSpot moderators won't be able to handle a dispute about being moderated, but that doesn't mean we can't share some advice about ways to avoid getting moderated while using the game boards.

　　Although we won't be able to reverse your game board moderations, I'm sure you'd at least like to consider our advice about the best ways to avoid getting moderated, right?

　　Be sure to read this page for more details about the game boards' function.