Request for a URL field on support forum replies

[amboutwe]

Currently, the only way to add a link that is not visible to search engines is to enter the URL in the 'Link to the page you need help with:' field when the topic is first created. This field cannot be edited afterwards.

It would be helpful if the 'Link to the page you need help with:' field would be added for replies in addition to the original topic creation. This would help users that forgot to add the URL and users that don't want to share a URL publicly.

Some initial thoughts:

• The field should automatically be hidden when a topic is marked as resolved so only mods can see them behind the scenes. This would help mods as they would likely receive less requests to remove URLs after a topic is closed.
• The field would be limited to those with the rights to close the topic (OP, mods, plugin/theme authors, support, etc) to limit irrelevant/spam/abuse URLs from being added to a topic.

Was discussed in Slack #forums and brought here for a more in-depth discussion.

[Ipstenu]

We need to make sure the language is clear that the field is NOT visible to search engines, only logged in users.

Alternate option: A field like we have for tags, which allows the OP to add (or remove) a URL at any time.

Pros: Add at any time, changeable.
Cons: Only one URL, might be used by spammers (low)

[Howdy_McGee]

Replying to Ipstenu:

Alternate option: A field like we have for tags, which allows the OP to add (or remove) a URL at any time.

This is a good idea!

I understand the content of a thread being archived but the URLs to their website I feel should be manageable by the user even after the edit threshold has been met. Either the issue is going to get solved and the URL will not have context to future readers or the original user wants to remove their URL for their own reasons. The thread contents should contain the information needed to help future readers, not the external website.

If a "tag" approach to URLs is not optimal I think we should at least give the user the ability to edit the URL field before the edit threshold (which is already done) or allow the user to clear the URL field after the edit threshold has been met.

[SergeyBiryukov]

Replying to amboutwe:

The field would be limited to those with the rights to close the topic (OP, mods, plugin/theme authors, support, etc) to limit irrelevant/spam/abuse URLs from being added to a topic.

Per comment:1:ticket:3685, that's not an option, as it removes the concept of community support.

Replying to Ipstenu:

We need to make sure the language is clear that the field is NOT visible to search engines, only logged in users.

I think this is already done in [8168] for #3685.

Alternate option: A field like we have for tags, which allows the OP to add (or remove) a URL at any time.

Sounds great!

[dd32]

I agree that regardless of what option is taken here, including the threads "URL I need help with" field on the reply section for the thread author is a good idea.

Clearing it in a reply should remove it from the thread entirely.

Perhaps we should consider auto-removing the URL from threads older than 6mths too, even if it's not visible.