I was reviewing my forum categories this afternoon and I feel it's too choked. I thought of splitting it, but I was thinking about its effect on the forum engagement. There was a time I split one section, the activity dropped so much. In this case, there is growth but the structure is messy. What do you think I should do?

What I would do is to make a private forum and invite 10 or more of the top posters, including the very long time, loyal ones. Get their opinions and listen because they're the ones keeping your forum running. Oftentimes owners do things thinking it's for the best, but members don't always agree.

Splitting a forum can be so risky. It can kill the activity. But if the categories are too crowded, it becomes a necessity. But you need to test the waters first, maybe create sub-forums before you go ahead to splitting it completely.

Ask your members first. If they say it’s time, then do it. If they say no, then don’t. It should be based on how it impacts them, not you.