Inactive Accounts - Delete or not to Delete?

[Mr.Niikolaus]

In other threads, we have touched on the topic of inactive accounts. In this thread we will discuss the topic a bit more in depth. How important is it to have an accurate member count? Do you keep your inactive accounts or do you delete them? If you keep them, is it for the appearance of a higher member count or some other reason? If you delete them, how often and why?

I personally delete my inactive accounts. I usually have it done quarterly. If not it falsifies the forums actual posting stats. It makes the forum appear to be less active then it is. I would rather have low member count with high posting, then high member count with low posting. I do give notice via, post, pm and email when the time arrives.

[Cookie]

I give my members 1 month

[Nightwalker]

I would wait a few months before deleting them...

[Deko]

I usually just keep them. Too much of a commitment to periodically delete inactive members.

[Mr.Niikolaus]

Yes, wouldn't delete inactive member

[῟Tḯl The Ƹnd]

I only delete an account if someone askes. I make it clear that if they want their account to be deleted, to reply back to my email with the required text to let me know that they want their account deleted. I've only had to delete one account by request. Others have deleted their accounts willingly. Although, I was glad one deleted their account as they had joined only to keep an eye on what I was doing and to troll if found the opportunity. Since I had addressed the issue with a staff member of PBS, shortly after that conversation, the account of this person in question was deleted by themself.

I don't delete accounts, people will come back, some day. Although, I've been thinking of making a policy that anyone with an account of more then 6 months old that is entirely inactive, will be deleted to clear up room. Although, I'm still weighing options with that idea.

[Nightwalker]

I wouldn't start doing it unless your forum has above 50 members. After that i would delete them every 6 months. The only reason i would do that is because then the member count will be accurate to the post count.

[Mr.Niikolaus]

I wouldnt start until the forum reached 60 members.
Then I would do a monthly in-activity check.
But i would simply email the members a week before their account removal.
Give them time to come back and make a post.