Do you think keeping a hidden section is a good idea for a forum?

[eLdavis]

Well I would say it completely depends on why these sections are there in the first place and what they are used for. Like the sections for admins I believe it is needed, that is where most places would be made on how to grow the site.

 

[Seno inyang]

Some forums prefer to keep anonymous some comments bases on the guiding principle of the site that's if it's against it.

 

[HayKay]

Yes and no. I answer because I'm not sure why your site would be based on; if you don't have any contradictory content, then you can keep all sections open but if you do, you might want to keep those sections private.

 

[kayode10]

I can see that I have a fair number of success with SEO. I have a niche website which is about six month and I have managed to rank over hundred keyword on the first page of Google in the niche without using any paid software for keyword research.

 

[Laurentta]

I honestly don't see the need for a hidden section. I mean why make some parts hidden when it's forum and should be accessible by others. The only hidden section that is understandable is the staffs section.

 

[greenie]

It could be a good idea depending on what your goal was from the beginning.
By hiding topics, uou can control which topics users can access at different times throughout the course.

 

[Planbizzle]

I am sure many forums got these sections.
I am talking about spam sections, VIP sections, staff sections etc., There are many forums which try to give access only to a few members, for these sections.
Do you think it's a good idea? I am sure crawlers can't access them most of the time anyway.
They are added in the statistics but they are not accessible. I am sure that's not a good thing to do.

Whether or not to preserve a hidden area on a forum should be determined by the forum community's individual aims and values, as well as whether the benefits of hidden content exceed the possible drawbacks of limiting discussion and openness.