[<...>I also noticed that if you want to get merits is to contribute on the forum by having sensible conversations without using a "Signature" because "Signature" implies selfish agendas. For this specific reason, I won't wear any signatures (after UBEX) to have better conversations and learn. This is only my point of view and would try to prove, DYOR, this is not a financial advice LOL
In June 2018, @matthewoz101 created a thread about the relation on merit of signatures (see
Is it easier to earn Merit without a signature?). On the thread, I checked this relation out (see
re: Is it easier to earn Merit without a signature?), and there didnt seem to be one. For Heroes and Legendries it had a positive impact, but surely not for the signature itself, but due to their posting habits (quality + more posts).
I would say that signature is not an issue in general; it is the posts content that matters. I mean the spam problem is due to people not being able to post decent content, incentivized by the signatures requirements in terms of number of posts per week. But the signature is more of a passive actor, and it is really up to the poster to create decent enough content.