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I've recently flagged this question as very low quality. The question for those can't see deleted posts:

WHis has a to be
My media monkey broke and said “WHis has a to be”. I tried destroying it but it broke. Then i through it threw a window but that did not work. So then I went to the Apple store but then they refused my refund!

The flag:

very low quality
This question has severe formatting or content problems. This question is unlikely to be salvageable through editing, and might need to be removed.

I flagged it as for me it seemed kind of vandalism / personal revenge, it deserved more than just closure, but didn't qualify for spam / rude / abusive flag.

Later the question was deleted as spam / rude.

My question is:

  • Why do we have this type of flag if it's not used as deleting reason?
  • Why not just merge it with spam flag?
  • Is there a deleting reason "VLQ"? If so how often it's used?

Looking for questions about VLQ flags those are mainly reflect to answers where it seems to be often used to flag wrong answers.

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  • You can save a VLQ post. You usually can't save spam
    – Journeyman Geek Mod
    Commented Sep 4, 2018 at 10:14
  • @JourneymanGeek: that's true, however there is a higher chance to save a rude post than for a VLQ, still rude is in the same category as spam. Commented Sep 4, 2018 at 10:15
  • 1
    @MátéJuhász I would argue the opposite, someone who is intentionally rude and abusive will tend to remain so, someone who simply doesn't know the rules and needs to be shown how to ask good questions generally are more amenable to being shown the error of their ways.
    – Mokubai Mod
    Commented Sep 4, 2018 at 10:55
  • Generally for a VLQQ it has to be a question. This was nothing more than several "sentences".
    – Dylan
    Commented Sep 7, 2018 at 18:10
  • @Dylan: I've never seen any question deleted which was deleted. Those are closed as off-topic / too-broad / unclear... Commented Sep 7, 2018 at 18:24
  • just love the flagged answer
    – fosslinux
    Commented Sep 14, 2018 at 5:50

1 Answer 1

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The user who posted the question, and consequently the second account that posted a garbage answer, were apparently attempting to troll and had been posting similar to other sites on the network.

Unless you were active on the other sites or intentionally checked then you would not have known.

Both spam and rude/abusive flags feed into the spam prevention system and will block users from posting more garbage. A single flag is unlikely to hit the filter but multiple generally will, especially if multiple users appear at the same IP, and it can be an effective temporary stop for casual trolls.

The main function of the VLQ flag from the users perspective is to push the item into the review queues, for other users to look at and action if necessary, and to point it out to moderators. In that it served its purpose.

After that it depends on what action needs to be taken as to whether other flags also get applied.

VLQ shouldn't be used as a close/deletion reason, especially as we have the "unclear what you are asking" close reason already. It is not really a close reason, and as it is only seen by other users the only options are for them to either vote to close or, if they have the power, vote to delete.

Spam/rude flags are "MAKE THIS GONE NOW!" While VLQ and similar are "Should we make this gone? Can someone help with this?"

If you want a mod or the community to look at it, then use VLQ or a custom flag. If you want it dead and buried them spam/rude. If you just want it closed then close it.

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  • Thanks for the answer, sound logic. Except the last part: 'I doubt VLQ is used as a close/deletion reason that often, especially as we already have the "nuclear what you are asking" close reason already' - that flag is for deletion and "unclear what you're asking" is closing. That's two different actions, one will hide the post immediately, the other just marks it's kind of inactive. Commented Sep 4, 2018 at 8:11
  • @MátéJuhász clarified, hopefully...
    – Mokubai Mod
    Commented Sep 4, 2018 at 8:38

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