ArenaNet:Developer updates/20070612A

[Dev Update] Chat Channels and Trade "Spam" -- 12 June 2007
As you know, we offer several types of chat options in Guild Wars. Lately, players have shared their concerns about the increasing problem of people spamming trade messages to the All Chat ("Local") Channel, instead of using the Trade Channel which is designated for that purpose. In response to that concern—which we share—we will be taking steps to increase our enforcement of the existing Rules of Conduct. As you are probably aware, spamming of any kind is strictly against the Rules of Conduct, but we are specifically concerned with those who are spamming the All Chat Channel. In order to encourage those with sales, purchases, and trade to use the designated Trade Channel instead, we will begin keeping records of the worst offenders, and those who spam All Chat with trade messages may have their accounts suspended. (You can find details on our policies and practices in our Conduct Breaches and Outcomes document.)

The Trade Channel is there for you, and we will not be taking action against those put their trade messages in the Trade Channel. You are free to go about your buying, selling, and trading messaging as you desire, as long as you keep it within the Trade Channel. (The use of a "spam bot"—like any bot—is still strictly disallowed, and we will take action on accounts that are found to be using them.)

This increased diligence towards trade spam in the All Chat Channel is not intended to stop trade – not at all! We fully encourage and support trade; that is why we have a channel completely dedicated to sales, purchases, and trades. This increased enforcement is designed to keep trade chat in the Trade Channel, and to help reduce the amount of spam in the All Chat Channel.

We thank you for your patience with this situation, and appreciate your support of the new initiative to improve the Guild Wars experience.