Show Thread Enhancements - Limited Guest Viewing -- Motivate Guests to Register

vB4 Users Find the vB4 Version Here.

With vBulletin, forum guests are able to view endless amounts of content without being directly asked or forced to register no matter how many times they come back. The purpose of the Limited Guest Viewing System is to drive in registrations by limiting the number of threads guests are able to view without interruption.

This plugin offers two options which can be used to drive in more registrations. The first option allows you to show a reminder message or advertisement after a guest has viewed a certain number of threads. The second option puts up a roadblock stopping guests from viewing threads altogether after reaching a certain number of views. Both options work together to encourage and ultimately force anonymous visitors to either register or login but can also be used separately based on your individual needs.

Modifications/ Instructions:
Template edits: 1
Plugins: 1 (adds 1 template and several settings)
SQL Queries: 2 [1 insert/update] (optional, with database setting used)

This template hack should take under 5 minutes to implement and customize.

Customizing the content / messages:
To customize which messages appear or what they say, go to vBulletin options, select the ?Limited Guest Viewing System? group and configure the options as desired. Each phase can be modified by adding translation text.

Through the ACP you can enable or disable each option, specify the number of threads that can be viewed before the option is enabled and input any forums you wish to exclude from being blocked.

Search Engine Bots (Spiders):

This plugin is intended to use cookies as a result few if any bots will be impacted when it comes to spidering your site [bots do not generally use cookies]. Users with IP logging enabled face more potential impact from spiders. For a full explanation of the impact on bots please read the install file. Questions about this issue should be asked after the install file will be read otherwise responses will direct you to read the file.

IP/ Database Logging:
As of version 2.0 this addon now allows for IP logging via mySQL instead of just using cookies. IP logging tracks visitors by IP address stopping issues associated with cookie clearing making the system more secure. This is optional and is turned off by default (adds a read-and insert/update query).

There are 3 possible downsides of this option you should be aware of.

1. The system adds an additional query and update every time a guest views a thread which adds to your server load.
2. Some users on ISPs like AOL share IPs and could be forced to register without being able to access any threads.
3. While spiders often change IPs and are specifically excluded (by hostmask) from the addon this is not absolute and it is possible they could be blocked. See the install file for more on this.

Welcome headers compatibility:
The Limited Guest Viewing is designed to work with the Welcome Headers System version 3.6 without any conflict. If you are using the notices system in 3.7 there is the possibility of duplicating messages.

[davepurcell]

We have styled most of our forum and want to do the same to the box the take over message is shown in.
How is it possible to change the way it's displayed instead of it being the standard vBulletin error message

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by davepurcell

We have styled most of our forum and want to do the same to the box the take over message is shown in.
How is it possible to change the way it's displayed instead of it being the standard vBulletin error message

Your best bet is to either style the error template or create a new page template and slightly edit this mod to use it.

[Alfa1]

Can I use this addon to let guests view 3 threads (regardless of how many posts are in there) and after that block viewing permission?

Is it possible to turn off the nag notice? I already show a nag notice in forum and in other software applications.

On the no permission screen, could you please add the following function:
Ask the user if he/she wants to register and read more.
Add a YES / NO button.
If the user selects YES then take the user to the registration form.

This will further increase registration influx.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by Alfa1

Can I use this addon to let guests view 3 threads (regardless of how many posts are in there) and after that block viewing permission?

That's how the mod works...

Is it possible to turn off the nag notice? I already show a nag notice in forum and in other software applications.

You have to turn it on for it to show up, so yes, you can turn it off

On the no permission screen, could you please add the following function:
Ask the user if he/she wants to register and read more.
Add a YES / NO button.
If the user selects YES then take the user to the registration form.

This will further increase registration influx.

Edit the template, add the button, it's just a link so there's nothing the mod needs feature wise.

[TitanJeff]

I really like the idea of this and wondered if there was any way to have the nag notice appear as a pop-up? Thanks.

[427mouse]

Is it possible to also have this mod prevent guests from viewing thread titles after their limit is reached?

[Borpf]

Thanks!
Very easy to use and very effective.
Before I got many guest-readers today.
Now i got many new Members everyday.
Thanks!

[Deimos]

Seems to work well, traffic has increased slightly and number of active (registered) users, has also gone up.

[Ted S]

Originally Posted by steve427

Is it possible to also have this mod prevent guests from viewing thread titles after their limit is reached?

Not at this time

[Trip]

Quick question Ted...Will your mod affect the syndication (RSS Feed) function on my board. Example, if a non registered user subscribes to my forum's feed and they continue to browse until getting locked down. Will this non registered user still receive the feed. I'm thinking yes, but I am not 100% sure.