zlacker

>>xslowz+(OP)
I think that HN itself also shadow flags submissions from a list of domains it doesn't like.

Try submitting a URL from the following domains, and it will be automatically flagged (but you can't see it's flagged unless you log out):

  - archive.is
  - watcher.guru
  - stacker.news
  - zerohedge.com
  - freebeacon.com
  - thefederalist.com
  - breitbart.com

>>mutant+l1
Well, yes, many sites are banned on HN. Others are penalized (see e.g. https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=true&que...). None of this is secret, though we don't publish the lists themselves.

Edit: about 67k sites are banned on HN. Here's a random selection of 10 of them:

  vodlockertv.com
  biggboss.org
  infoocode.com
  newyorkpersonalinjuryattorneyblog.com
  moringajuice.wordpress.com
  surrogacymumbai.com
  maximizedlivingdrlabrecque.com
  radio.com
  gossipcare.com
  tecteem.com

>>dang+p1
It is a secret if the system does not inform the poster it's been penalized.

>>rhaksw+s5
What is it if the information is freely available, to anyone asking, for a single domain they are trying to post at that time?

It’s not secret, because they’ll be provided an answer if they email the mod team.

It’s not free as in open source, because it isn’t available for anyone to download and study in full.

So, since it’s not secret, is it public, or private? Since it’s not published in full but any query of LIMIT 1 is answered, is that open, closed, or other?

Restrictions to publication don’t necessarily equate to secrecy, but the best I’ve got is “available upon request”, which isn’t quite right either. Suggestions welcome.

>>altair+Q6
> Suggestions welcome

"This domain is not allowed on HN" as an error message upon submission.

>>vasco+V8
That’s not going to work, because now that’s an API for spammers to bulk process against a domain list. The only available API must be human communication to the mod team, or the spammers will overcome it with automation.

>>altair+p9
That's trivial to figure out.

It's quite possible the reason the list isn't public is because it would give away information about what thought is allowed and what thought isn't.

>>dontup+eR3
> That’s trivial to figure out.

Elaborate.