Is it okay to upload a dummy version of a chapter if we're trying to combat the sites scalping our upload?

[Twit]

The idea we're considering is a First Hour Version, since the first hour of uploading our chapters is when they're reuploaded by other sites. We upload a dummy version, low quality and filled with meme edits, then we update it an hour later, through the Uploader Edit Function, with the correct version we've done.
We'd make sure readers know beforehand, with a one chapter info page before we start doing this, but I'm wanting to make sure this is allowed if we do it.
I can explain more about what this means, why we're doing it and so on.

 

[solstice258]

I get where you're coming from, but that would sacrifice the reading experience of the users on MD just to troll the aggreagators.
Even if you make an info page, there will always be some people who will be confused, it's also straight up against rule 2.3.5 (joke/troll chapters are not allowed)

 

[Twit]

Ah, I asked on the MangaDex Discord and they said it wouldn't be an issue. So there's nothing we can do about it? We figured it wouldn't matter if it's just for an 30 minutes/1 hour period. We planned to make it clear in the upload for readers, but like you said they might skim that if it's in the first usual page.

 

[comeonnow0]

@Twit
If you're going to troll the aggregators, just make your fake 'chapters' like this:

page 1: explanation for the readers that it is a troll chapter that will be replaced in a few hours (can be reused in future troll chapters as well)
page 2: meme edit of a page
page 3: explanation, maybe with different text (reusable)
page 4: meme edit of a page
page 5: explanation, maybe with different text (reusable)
page 6: meme edit of a page
page 7: explanation, maybe with different text (reusable)
page 8: meme edit of a page
etc. (probably stop at a dozen pages or less)

Don't forget the giant "READ ON MANGADEX INSTEAD OF SHITTY AGGREGATORS".

 

[solstice258]

@Twit
Well, I would be fine with it personally, I was mostly concerned about the staff's opinions and site rules- so if they said it's okay then go for it

 

[Twit]

@comeonnow0 interesting, sounds like a nice tip.