[Paragon]

Your old posts/threads do not automatically get the signature updated when you change your siganture.

[Dymo King]

I've just looked at some of my old threads and they all have my current signature, which I changed a few days ago...?

[dragonfly]

Originally Posted by Dymo King

I've just looked at some of my old threads and they all have my current signature, which I changed a few days ago...?

I also changed mine recently, and found that my old posts changed. To be honest I'd be happy either way. With the automatic change you instantly get 1000 links to this weeks favourite, or whatever you add to your sig.

With a non-changing sig you get a progressive splattering of varied links.

[Dymo King]

Not sure if a large block of links suddenly changing page at the same time would be flagged as suspicious by google?

Also, I would have thought that a varied smattering of links to different pages would look better to google than 1000 links all pointing at the same page with the same link text.

Just guessing on both of those though, happy to be corrected...

[Paragon]

Sorry guys, your right.
I've just checked my old posts again and they have my current siganture, but when I looked at one earlier it had no siganture so I'd assumed not..

[Sheffy]

No way round it there then????????

[Petnanny]

Since I use a few pet forums, I have a varied signature, one of which is linked to my blog. This would give a different link then?

[ITbargains]

The more the better, but it is more likely to be focused on generating interst from members, which is even more important in my opnion. I have been 'studying' a Google SEO guide, which I am really impressed with. Would you like the details?

[SEO Guy]

Questions like this sometimes go unanswered because there is not a simple answer.

Basically forums are like any other place you leave your link, there are many factors that influence the score that is attributed to your links

Is the forum on theme with your website
Is the forum sub section on theme with your website
Does the forum incorporate the no-follow attribute
Is the forum well ranked
Do you use anchor text within your posts
Do you make good quality posts
How many links are on each page
Is the page indexed
How old is the forum
Is the page using search engine friendly URL's
Do you start threads or just make replies
Are these threads well populated
Is the forum full of sidelink advertising links
How popular is the forum
How often is your link clicked

These are just a few factors that will affect the score that search engines attribute to your link on a forum. When you take everything into consideration my research has shown there are only a few forums that offer a very strong backlink. Therefore they should be used for the purpose they are intended, that is as an online community, where you can have fun and communicate with like minded people