BiggerPockets

A little over 3 years ago, we initiated a system on the site called 'influence'. This
Influence System was designed to reward those users who engage and give back to BiggerPockets.

At first, the system was lauded almost universally by our members, but at a certain point in time it started to become a point of contention. Eventually we changed the system to one that we believed to be more fair and even, but unfortunately, in evaluating the system and your reaction to it, we realized that perhaps the system was doing more harm than good.

Many of our users felt that 'influence' wasn't an accurate measure of their actual influence on the site, and sadly, some of our power users were turned off and cut their participation here.

While I'll argue that the system always did what it was designed to do -- measure those people who at any point in time were making the most impact on the site -- I'm also willing to accept that the system was never perfect by any means.

With that in mind, as we continue our push to improve the site and execute 'Project Simplify' we've decided that it is time for influence to become a relic of the past.

As you can see, there is no longer an influence score reflected on the forum sidebar or on your profiles. As a gift to you for our 8th BiggerPockets Birthday, we've killed off the influence system.

I know several people who will be very happy about this, and extend an invitation to them to return to the site. For those of you who liked the system, I'm sorry, but it just had to go.

Like anything else that we do, I expect strong reaction here. As some of you like to say [pulls out the popcorn] . . .

I never cared about the influence system one way or another. Having read the "Project Simplify" plan I see where the move is coming from and look forward to future changes to improve the community.

Hey, it's good to re-evaluate and make changes - especially if it leads you in a more focused direction. Onward!

It doesn't bother me.

My connections,fun of sharing info,and landing business wasn't from people seeing my influence score.

It was from them finding posts of me helping others and sharing information on the site freely and with the expectation of nothing in return.

I come to the forums because it's a fun way to interact and learn as well.I do not drink coffee so this is my coffee in the morning !

Josh, I too support the move. I bet you can tell who has added the most to the site on any basis, daily, weekly or monthly. Just a simple acknowledgment might be nice from the powers that be, perhaps on a monthly basis. Maybe a top blogger and forum contributor, I'm sure there are many ways to say thanks to those who might give a little more keeping the site moving. I'm sure all the regulars know too who actively contributes. I'm glad you took it off and while I may have held the 100 pts for a long time, I sure got razzed for it....LOL.

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

Karen M. - Hopefully the removal of the system doesn't de-motivate you to engage here on the site. You've become one of the thought leaders in the community, which is a great thing!

I knew about the influence system. But the fact that it was there certainly didn't give me any reason to act/post one way or another. I'm not one to keep score anyway, so "influence" doesn't impress me. Good, fact based responses from knowledgable participants does impress me.

With or without the influence system, this is the most informative real estate site that I have found. I will continue to come here to get my questions answered and to offer my limited experience to others.

Glad to see it go away.

Ned Carey You'll always be Ned "85" Carey to me. :)

@Ned Carey - Yes. I can think of quite a few. That said, as our regular posters know, being active here brings so much value beyond anything that a point system could ever offer. The connections, opportunities, and deals that come to the leaders of this community trump any points that could ever be given away by us. - Josh 'Never Got to 100' Dorkin

@K. Marie Poe - The system wasn't perfect, and I never claimed it to be. I think it going away is definitely a net positive. I'm glad you read the article about Project Simplify and that it resounded with you. That's why I put it together. As for project Complicate/Intensify -- good luck!

Finally, on simplifying forum areas . . . that's definitely part of the plan. We started the process by combining all the advertising and dealmaking forums into one forum simply dubbed, the Real Estate Marketplace. There will be more of that in the coming week or two as the plan continues to come together.

To the others that have commented, but who I haven't responded to, thanks for sharing your thoughts. As always, I definitely appreciate it!