# Seeding a new forum by creating users and content

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/seeding-a-new-forum-by-creating-users-and-content/49345
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [August 28, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/seeding-a-new-forum-by-creating-users-and-content/49345 "2016-08-28T20:29:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 6

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![HAWK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/hawk/32/86627_2.png) [@HAWK](https://meta.discourse.org/u/HAWK)
#### Post date: [August 29, 2016, 11:37pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/seeding-a-new-forum-by-creating-users-and-content/49345/6 "2016-08-29T23:37:42Z")

</div>

> [@joesed](#):
>
> Certainly not trying to be disingenuous, but I think it’s important to get the ball rolling with some posts. That way, others are more likely to join in.

Hey Joe,  
You’re definitely right about social proof, but creating fake users is questionable practice and I’d strongly recommend against it, for the long term health of your community. There are more ethical ways of doing it (which won’t result in a backlash). If you want some advice around doing things differently, I’m happy to help.

[Here is further reading.](http://www.managingcommunities.com/2012/08/16/fake-users/)

---

_[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/seeding-a-new-forum-by-creating-users-and-content/49345)._