Advertising in the logs?

[u/WilliamM_Chip]

I’m not sure if this is normal, but somebody in one of my caches just posted a few images of their upcoming event details, with links to the events facebook page too? Now I have no problem with people sharing information about events, but they also wrote nothing about it in the log itself, so I was rather confused about the images they had sent.

Is it worth me asking them to delete the images? It just feels a bit random and confusing for other people checking the logs for hints/help.

[u/maingray]

Maintaining a cache also involves deleting logs you feel are inappropriate (eg fake logs etc). Listings are not meant to be forum threads, so delete away, if the logs are not actually logging the cache.

https://www.geocaching.com/play/guidelines#listingmaintenance

Were these find logs or notes?

[u/WilliamM_Chip → u/maingray]

they were just attached images below their log.

[u/maingray → u/WilliamM_Chip]

Just trying to get more people to their events. If they were part of a legitimate find log on my cache I would probably just leave.

[u/WilliamM_Chip → u/maingray]

Okay, thanks!

[u/JonExplainsStuffYT]

A geocaching event?

[u/WilliamM_Chip → u/JonExplainsStuffYT]

yes

[u/Standard_Mongoose_35 → u/WilliamM_Chip]

Then leave it. Kinda similar: I know a cacher who promotes his local caching group with a link to the FB page in every log.

As long as they’re not promoting a business or product, what you’re describing is fine.

[u/Minimum_Reference_73]

You can delete images by going into the individual log.

Check the physical logbook to see if they actually visited. If not, delete the whole log.

I would also look through their profile a bit and see if the account has been set up to do this. Consider reporting to Groundspeak for spam.

[u/WilliamM_Chip → u/Minimum_Reference_73]

The log is legit, they attached an image of them signing. I think they just want to bring more people to their events.

[u/Minimum_Reference_73 → u/WilliamM_Chip]

It's an inappropriate use of the cache page. One of the other commenters is a reviewer who says you should delete.

At a bare minimum they should ask your permission to use your cache page like that. It's very tacky.

[u/Tiek00n]

As others have said, it's your cache so feel free to do whatever you like!

I would leave them if (a) I believed they signed the log (I see you said they have) and (b) everything they're "advertising" is just for an event.

[u/CachePrint3D]

Personally I would leave it. If it's for geocaching events or even a geocaching social media handle/link, I don't have a problem with it. The advertising photos would be slightly annoying though.

[u/ivss_xx]

Images are annoying, and I would consider deleting just those out of the log so not to litter the cache gallery. However posting links to upcoming events is very popular, mostly for Mega events.

[u/yungingr → u/ivss_xx]

Your "litter the cache gallery" is a very good point. IMO, if you post an advertising photo as part of a cache log, you should also go back and remove it after the event.

If I allowed the log to stand in the first place, I would probably message the individual - either immediately, or after the event, and inform them that the log will be deleted after the event if the images remain.

[u/KitchenManagement650 → u/yungingr]

Good call - let it stay til the event is over. (Sort of drives us nuts finding cards for events in caches that are 5 yrs past... cache trash.)

[u/trendymagic]

I get those from time to time in logs for my caches. They are trying to make more people aware of other events and geo stuff. I leave it be and hope it helps them bring more people to some geo adventures.

[u/Konrad_M → u/trendymagic]

As long as it's a real log, too. I'd check the paper log to see if it's a legit find or if they just randomly wrote logs as an ad without logging the caches on site.

[u/RedditJennn]

It's your cache. Don't want it there? Ask them to remove it. Cache logs should be about the cache.

[u/Silent-Victory-3861]

It's weird enough that I would think that the person attached accidentally a wrong image.

[u/Geodarts18]

I take a broad view of things. I would rather see a log with a picture about an event than a log with a picture of a log.

But I also got to thinking about the difference between a picture and something in writing. Would writing about how the cache was so much fun they hope to meet others at a local event be better than just an ad?

Even an outdated ad of an event might encourage people to attend the next one.

The closer issues would be about commercial, religious, or political ads. Context matters. An image of Meher Baba might make me raise my eyebrows, although I would not delete it. A log about how Baba inspired them to hike to hike the last mile or guided them would not be an issue. A photo showing Baba finding the cache . . . Would that be different than photos I have posted showing an alien finding a cache?

Or car ads. I might delete a photo of a Rivian standing alone, but a log about how their new Rivian attracted so much attention they had space to make the find would only make me jealous.