Testing a new links widget on Chat

[KateMumsnet]

Hello all

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that we've begun testing out a widget at the bottom of some Talk threads which displays links to things you might want to read on third party sites.

If MNers click through to read we get a small commission, which helps to pay the bills. You've probably seen similar widgets on sites like the Telegraph, BBC Food, and the Guardian - the content is a mixture of articles and sponsored content, and the widget works on the basis that the popular content with the most clicks will get served more often, while links that no-one's interested in will gradually disappear.

If you don't like the look of something and don't want to see it again, you can click the ‘X’ at the top left hand side of the link to dismiss it - it won't appear for you again either on Mumsnet or on other sites which use the widget, which we think is quite useful.

We're going to be keeping a close eye on things during the test - but please do let us know if you spot anything untoward by mailing [email protected].

Cheers all

MNHQ

[Ariawyn]

What is this??

Using chrome on a mobile

[Ariawyn]

At the bottom or right in the sodding middle???

[FruBayerischOla]

I think this is what Kate is talking about. I noticed it earlier. No problem for me - so far!

[FruBayerischOla]

PS, Kate, might it be worth 'stickying' this thread so it stays 'up there' for the moment?

[TheSpottedZebra]

The new content ads are very large, aren't they? Looks v v cheap.
And the buffering of the MN page means that's it's easy to click on the ads inadvertently - or has that been built in?

[KateMumsnet]

Not built in, no, Spotted. The widget is loading at about the same time as the thread for me - are you finding it loads more slowly/quickly?
Thanks Fru - it was stickied (double-checked!) but they're on rotation so it won't appear every time.
Ariawyn, that's deffo not right, but it's not an issue with the widget - let me forward to the ad team and they can take a look.

[HairsprayQueen]

Urgh the trashiest kinds of adverts.

Hate them but I know you don't care about our opinions on ads anymore.

[BankWadger]

Get rid.

[BankWadger]

There is no x so I can't manually dismiss this tripe.

Android on mobile site.

[KateMumsnet]

Hmm - thanks Bank, it's disappeared for me too. Will investigate.

[Crankycunt]

It's a free site. Actual people work to keep the site up and running. These people need paying. Then you've got rent, utilities, server upkeep.

If a few adverts at the bottom of the page help to keep it free and up and running, what's the problem? Moaning about it makes you sound like a stroppy teenager.

[FruBayerischOla]

I agree with Cranky. We, as MNers, have the luxury of belonging to this forum at no financial cost to us.

It costs a huge amount of money to keep MN going - so of course advertising and any other kind of promotions have to pay for all the costs involved.

[BankWadger]

I don't mind ads. I do mind large irrelevant and intrusive pictures on a page of text for reading.

Thank you MNKate.

[EduCated]

I don't mind ads. I do hate those fucking awful fake content type things at the bottom.

[BertieBotts]

Argh, I hate these click bait pretend content things.

I don't really understand why MN seems to be going backwards on site content and ads these days. It used to be that mumsnet was really slick and polished and netmums looked a bit amateur but I visited their site recently and was really surprised to see it is now the other way around.

[PseudoBadger]

The things at the bottom of the page are very tacky.

[Destinysdaughter]

Looking at the list of things on S&B that pp have bought after reading about them from others, I'm surprised MN isn't trying to capitalise on that more!

[AuntieStella]

I don't mind this (as it's easy to ignore) (possibly the first time I've not hated a change)

But having noticed it from time to time I am wondering why so many are from US sources when this is a British site. OK. On magazine type articles it probably doesn't matter where something was originally posted. But it might if it's assuming the readership is familiar with US systems and terms. Can there be more British content?

[KateMumsnet]

DestinysDaughter do you mean you are not signed up to our Swears By newsletter?!

AuntieStella this is a good point - I'm not sure if we have that kind of control but I'll find out.

[KateMumsnet]

Pssst Destiny

[Destinysdaughter]

Haha fair enough! But no Babyliss Big Hair, Boots curl cream, Body shop Chamomile cleansing oil etc?

[Destinysdaughter]

What I love about S&B ( and why I trust it), is because it's genuine pp just recommending what's worked for them, there's no agenda, it's v powerful!

[thatstoast]

I audibly groaned when I saw the elsewhere on the web links yesterday. DH suggested a premium mumsnet subscription. No shit links, proper user names only £5 a month. I'm happy to pay rather than have to navigate around trashy clickbait crammed into the site.

"SHE GOT CHARGED £65 FOR A CAKE...WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS UNBELIEVABLE"

[BeyondStrongAndStable]

Click bait mn, really? I thought you were better than that :(

It's a no from me.

[BertieBotts]

MN could easily set up an Amazon affiliate thingy so any links to products recommended if bought on amazon give a small benefit to the site.