I think it’s more than reasonable for forums to not allow members to post links to other forums.
Now acting as if others don’t exist - as some at other forums like to pretend - that’s an issue.
There’s a line between protecting the brand and censorship. You wouldn’t go into an Applebees - sit down at the bar and DoorDash wings from a wing place down the street. At the same time - arguing and acting as if they are the only game in town is just immature and stupidity.
Same logic applies to discussion of a book - books pay for advertising. Not allowing people to solicit for a book is more than reasonable - forums have bills to pay to. At the same time effectively barring discussion of books or disparaging anyone who doesn’t pay the forum toll as being a scam or suggesting they are on the brink of folding with zero evidence is ridiculous.
I will give BMR credit for getting this right. While the political post here get out of control occasionally - mods do a great job overall of allowing discussion of industry topics.