User blog comment:SnowedLightning/Advertising/@comment-3234762-20111123084902

People recruit their friends because they want to build a community with members that they're familiar with. I asked my friend in real life if she would like to join the wiki, for example, because she was interested and was always commenting and watching me when I was on the site at school. There is a difference between friendly advertising and spam, though, which is what I'm guessing you're talking about. If the 'advertising' is bothering the user whose talk page it's on, the spammer should definitely get a ban. This is from someone who hates spammers with a passion. XD I would like it if this wiki doesn't become like that blogging site where they don't want new users to join and want it to be exclusive.

So, final verdict: Spammers- smash them with the modhammer. People who recruit their friends (friends who are genuinely interested)- Leave 'em be.