Content Moderation – Definition, Types, and Importance

Pre-moderation is defined as the process where the content is screened before it goes live based on the predetermined community and website guidelines. This technique is used to protect the whole dynamics of the community as it avoids the upload of time-sensitive or controversial content on any kind of website, especially dating sites, social media sites, to name a few.

Post-moderation refers to the process of content moderation, where the content is reviewed once it goes live on the site. As the name suggests, post-moderation includes real-time conversation among the moderators if there is controversial content. However, companies also use automation, i.e., AI, for reviewing the content. Inappropriate content is flagged if it is not suitable for the online community.

Reactive moderation is defined as the method of sole moderation that is dependent on the users to report particular content. Social media websites must have the report option so that users have the freedom to report any content that they feel is inappropriate, according to the community guidelines. After reporting, the moderators will check the content and make decisions accordingly.

Distributed moderation refers to the system of content moderation where the decision to remove content from the site is distributed among the community members. This type of moderation does not occur with the decision of a single user or a content moderator. The community members cast their votes on the content submission. Based on the scores of the senior moderators, the decision is taken in line with community policies.

Automated moderation refers to the type of content moderation that is done by Artificial Intelligence (AI). A few specific applications are used for filtering a few offensive words. With the help of automation, the detection of offensive posts is now seamless and quicker than ever. With the help of automated moderation, the IP addresses of the abusers can be detected easily and blocked within no time.

As the name suggests, in this case, the site has no moderation at all, hence the user has the anarchy to abuse anyone. Hence, due to no moderation, there will be no community guidelines, and the brand reputation will be a toss.

Whether media is posted on social media for a contest or anyone posts a hateful comment against anyone, there is always a risk that user-generated content can damage the brand reputation in one go. Hence, content moderation is the ultimate solution to prevent bullies, trolls from taking advantage of the brand.

User-generated content can fuel the website in terms of social media sites and product reviews while attracting more traffic to the brand. Not only are customers inclined to engage with other users, but they will also search for other content related to the products of that particular brand, thus increasing website traffic.

Content moderation protects brands from explicit content posted by users, thus saving the brand’s reputation. Many users post offensive, abusive, or sensual content on the social media sites of various companies to gain attention and likes. As a result, the goal of the post created by the brand will no longer become the point of concern for the users, and these contents are not following the community guidelines either.

Not only is content moderation’s goal limited to reviewing the social media platforms of a brand, but it also plays a major role in running online campaigns successfully. Now companies can scale up their campaigns while pushing new launches available publicly while keeping their followers updated about the new feature or the new update.

Traditional advertising, such as print media, TV, and radio, may not be very effective in impacting customer behavior. Digital Ads play a pivotal role in drawing customers’ attention, which will eventually have an impact on profitability and brand reputation. Potential buyers are generally directed towards user-generated content like product reviews through digital Ads. Hence, content moderation is very important to remove content that is not following the community guidelines and can create a negative image of the brand.

Statistics state that 25% of the search results of the biggest brands in the world derive their website or product links from user-generated content. Companies have to check whether the content is following the community guidelines or not. It can attract quality traffic to the brand only when content moderation has been done properly.