Should I allow guests to view forums?

[Rex]

YES, and take them off being "locked" with that lock icon. Nothing turns away a user more than not being able to access part of a site. Atleast the majority anyway. Now some will say that having them locked where they can't read any content gives their curiosity a little nudge, which it probably does but most won't take the time to do so.

[_Fatal]

I'm inbetween in this also on my site, part of me says yes and the other says no. I think you should make only half the message show and then make them sign up to read the rest, like a teaser.

[LeeD]

You certainly should. If guests can't view the threads/posts, then spiders can't view them.

Originally Posted by LeeD

You certainly should. If guests can't view the threads/posts, then spiders can't view them.

This is why I always alow them to view the forums.

[Niels]

Originally Posted by LiveWire

This is why I always alow them to view the forums.

You can allow spiders based on their client name Alot of forums are doing this, when you are guest and can't read a forum, change your client string to googlebot. And whoila you can read it

[Arnoud]

Well, it'll depend hugely on the type of site you run. Also, that hack which only shows the first XXX characters of the posts, or only the first page of a thread is a great idea, a lot better than hiding the entire forum for guests.