User generated content (UGC) has become a vital part of online business for many companies. Everything from social networks to product comments allow companies to provide additional value to their users. For example, a user can gain valuable information and insight about a product by reading other users' reviews before purchasing. Likewise, users can share stories and discuss their hobbies and the latest movie or web video. All of this information falls into the broad category of user generated content.

As companies allow more UGC onto their websites and their user base expands, eventually the users begin to control the tone and image of a website. This can be both a good and bad thing, depending on the users. Relinquishing this control to the users could empower the users and encourage their open and honest participation in the websites, creating excitement and positive reactions from the users. On the other hand, users do not always have the best interest of the companies in mind and might abuse the privilege of an open forum by posting inappropriate content. This abuse creates a strong argument for closer monitoring of UGC by businesses' websites. This is the point at which most companies decide to invest in filtering and protecting their online presence. However, filtering UGC is not as simple as it seems. Users are sophisticated and highly imaginative when it comes to working around automated filters.

This white-paper presents one of the classic problems involved in UGC filtering, will discuss a number of methods that users employ to circumvent UGC filters and it will also show how a well designed filter can succeed, even in the face of these problems.