Paying for Mumsnet

[BIWI]

There have been eleventy billion threads (only a slight exaggeration) about the advertising on MN becoming more and more intrusive. And calls, inevitably, for it to stop.

We all KNOW - we're not stupid - that MN is a free-so-use site, so needs to take advertising to keep going.

However, lots of us on the various threads have also said that we'd be prepared to pay for an ad-free version of the site.

So you'd run two sites - one with advertising, which is free, and one which costs [x amount] per month/year.

Have you actually tried running your figures and working out how much revenue you'd get from people who are prepared to pay, and different scenarios, e.g. If x% pay y amount, we'll achieve x revenue?

Because it feels every time this issue is raised that you just pat us on the head and tell us that you're 'looking into it'

[YetAnotherHelenMumsnet]

We're looking into it.

Actually, we're not sure if this would come under TSSDNCOP or not, but promise to flag to the higher ups and get back to you when they tell us what's what.

[gillybeanz]

but then wouldn't the site be split, so half the comments on the threads.
Hey we could have a wc free site for all of us who don't budget/ can't afford to pay for sites and a site for the mc or those who can afford/ are happy to pay.
I wonder if you'd just get the same comments on each site as they'd attract similar thinking posters?
AIBU would just be people agreeing

I wouldn't pay, not because I couldn't afford to, but don't think it's worth paying for. I certainly couldn't justify paying for a magazine forum.

[user1496069596]

I would never pay for a forum, I'd just go elsewhere!

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

That's not how it would work gillybeanz. You don't seriously imagine BIWI was suggesting that do you?

[LIZS]

We used to pay, way back in the dawn of MN, but www has mushroomed since.

[Sparklingbrook]

I would pay. Especially if it meant fewer trolls as well as ads.

[ImperialBlether]

But that was only paying for private messaging, wasn't it, LIZS?

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

Oh God, it's going to be like this .

You wouldn't have to pay. You could remain on Mumsnet for nothing, but still see the ads.

Those who paid would simply be paying for an ad free version. It feels a bit more community minded than just using an ad blocker which is what I've been doing for years but I would be prepared to pay a sub. Maybe £3 a month or something?

[Gruach]

So you'd run two sites - one with advertising, which is free, and one which costs [x amount] per month/year.

Surely one site, with some people getting it advert-free and others not? Or am I misunderstanding? Two separate sites would be - outrageous. Whatever would be the point?

[JamesDelaneysHat]

I would consider paying. I've been on here for years and can't imagine not using MN. However I do view the forum through an adblocker and don't see any of the ads that are causing all the brouhaha.

[bibbitybobbityyhat]

You ARE getting it wrong Gruach.

[Sparklingbrook]

Yes, my adblocker does a really good job TBF on my laptop. Not mastered the phone one yet I hate the ads on the phone.

[Lweji]

Sparklingbrook

Unless everyone had to pay, it wouldn't mean fewer trolls.

And I suspect the DM would want to get more out of their subscription.

[SwedishEdith]

I did pay in the very beginning when the collection buckets were rattled a few times. Not loads but chipped in. Not sure now I'd feel about it now - it'd have to be very cheap.

[Gruach]

Well that's a relief!

I think ...

[LIZS]

Think it was before the days of pm , around 2003/4

[lynmilne65]

I use an adblocker and don't get any !

[ShesNoNormanPace]

I suggest subs of £12 a year

[gillybeanz]

How can you run two sites one free with advertising and one free without, but everybody able to post?

This is what made me respond in the way I did.

Surely it would be the one site with ads blocked for those who pay and the remainder seeing the ads.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I mostly MN in the app on an iPad, and have an adblocker - the only ad I see is the not very obtrusive Fairy banner across the thread. I'm not aware of many if I use it on my PC via browser (maybe I've got some level of adblocking on that, though its not perfect)

[Sparklingbrook]

I guess so Lweji. It's a shame. But they could use some of the added revenue to do something about the trolls maybe? Because at the moment MN is hard going.

[BillyButtfuck]

I use the app on my iPhone mainly and the ads really aren't an issue. I get a Fairy laundry banner every now and then but nothing which gets in the way or pops out at me.

Is there more advertising on the desktop site?

[peaceout]

No way would I pay, all the content is generated by the posters if anyone should be paid it's them or rather us
No one pays to use internet forums

[user1496069596]

People would soon give up on paying anyway, not like we would be paying for quality content written by professionals.
I recall seeing a post where Justine is comparing MN to The Guardian, that is hilarious and she is delusional!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Oh God, seriously? I left the last parent site I was with because if subscriptions. It closed not long after too. It was the kiss of death imo.