Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

This is a new low MNHQ

84 replies

thestudio · 27/09/2025 22:31

I know you've got to make a living, but the language in the promoted post below is unethical.

The clear implication is that 'Mumsnet-the-site' - which draws all its authority from us, your users, the Mumsnet 'hivemind' - believes that all young children NEED Equazen.

The only question is which age that it should be given.

I'm quite shocked by this. I've worked in a similar area so I know the score and I'm a commercial realist.

I don't think the ASA will be thrilled.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Zodiacrobat · 30/09/2025 13:49

Muffinmam · 29/09/2025 09:50

I’ve looked more into this product and it’s based on scientific research. It’s expensive but I’m now seriously considering buying it - due entirely to your post. Thank you!! If this were just a pop up ad I never would have considered it. But now you’ve complained it has led me into looking into this product.

More fool you.

TheignT · 29/09/2025 20:09

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 29/09/2025 08:54

Me too 🤣.
I wonder if Milton Keynes has seen a rise in visitor numbers recently?
Disappointed visitors presumably .

Show quote history

I quite like the idea of a monorail to Mount Kilimanjaro, I'd hope it ran from the end of my road and was quite fast so I could do it as a day trip. I can dream.

BoredZelda · 29/09/2025 16:48

Muffinmam · 29/09/2025 09:50

I’ve looked more into this product and it’s based on scientific research. It’s expensive but I’m now seriously considering buying it - due entirely to your post. Thank you!! If this were just a pop up ad I never would have considered it. But now you’ve complained it has led me into looking into this product.

Did your extensive research not bring you to the numerous links to EFSA, the scientific body who looks at these sorts of “scientific” claims, confirming there was no truth in the claim it improves reading ability in children? https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4251

There are plenty of others, easily sourced.

Their website talks a lot about “scientific” benefits, but the whole site is short on detail of what that means. If you are impressed by their sales pitch, I have a bridge I’d like to sell you.

Fish oil supplements are a fad, have no real no real benefit to children, and are relatively easy to get in a decent diet.

Original poster
thestudio · 29/09/2025 10:55

Muffinmam · 29/09/2025 09:50

I’ve looked more into this product and it’s based on scientific research. It’s expensive but I’m now seriously considering buying it - due entirely to your post. Thank you!! If this were just a pop up ad I never would have considered it. But now you’ve complained it has led me into looking into this product.

Good for you, @Muffinmam!

'Based on scientific research' sets this product apart!

It's great that you're not a sheeple (shoople?) who's scared to use their own thinking to digest and weigh up the competing claims of scientific research and understand how it translates to retail consumption!

That really blew up in my face - lesson learned!

OP posts:
AgentPidge · 29/09/2025 10:16

JellyIegs · 27/09/2025 23:18

There was one a while ago about the excitement of taking the monorail to MK and I honestly thought it meant Milton Keynes so ended up tapping on the link to see what it was about 🤣 ah, Magic Kingdom… makes more sense.

I also assumed it was Milton Keynes, and was mildly surprised! I didn't open the article 😄

OldieButBaddie · 29/09/2025 10:12

I agree, also the endless Boden advertising posts with cringe inducing "responses" which are clearly made up! I had a post deleted for calling one of them out

FightingInAVatOfJellyBabies · 29/09/2025 10:08

Muffinmam · 29/09/2025 09:50

I’ve looked more into this product and it’s based on scientific research. It’s expensive but I’m now seriously considering buying it - due entirely to your post. Thank you!! If this were just a pop up ad I never would have considered it. But now you’ve complained it has led me into looking into this product.

Thank you for giving me such a good laugh this morning.

Voltefarce · 29/09/2025 10:06

Another person here who thought it was Milton Keynes. Thought I’d plan a nice day out at the Snow Dome with added monorail excitement, but sadly it was not to be.

CautiousLurker01 · 29/09/2025 10:02

Ironically, since clicking on this thread, MN ads are purely Equazen ads (specifically, how to help your child transition from holidays into school… because a supplement would be so much more useful than implementing a transitional bed time routine and talking to/preparing your child gradually as part of normal responsible parenting.)

Shakemesexy · 29/09/2025 09:59

I think MN lost the trust of users with regards to recommendations a long time ago, so I don’t think having MN recommends is a benefit anymore to advertisers.

All these Promoted By….threads sound like they’re written by the same person who did a training course in ‘how to hook in readers’ some time in 2015….

JoanOgden · 29/09/2025 09:56

I hate the promoted threads. Also they appear in all of the topics even when totally irrelevant to them. I hang out on The Litter Tray and am continually being disappointed when I see a thread titled "How should I entertain my 6 month old?" or similar and then realise it's about babies not cats Sad

MeatballMenu · 29/09/2025 09:52

Also, there are at least two which keep popping up in Active about the countdown to going back to school. That's almost a month ago now - I don't suppose anyone is "counting down" now. I never click on any of the promoted threads. Do they actually have comments?

Muffinmam · 29/09/2025 09:50

I’ve looked more into this product and it’s based on scientific research. It’s expensive but I’m now seriously considering buying it - due entirely to your post. Thank you!! If this were just a pop up ad I never would have considered it. But now you’ve complained it has led me into looking into this product.

VelociraptorsVelociRapping · 29/09/2025 09:46

If you think that's bad, pay a visit to the Weight Loss Injections board and have a look at the multiple sponsored posts promoting presciption-only GLP1 medications in collaboration with Zava and MedExpress. They've clearly been carefully lawyered to follow the letter of the law but they merrily trample all over the spirit of the tightly-controlled laws that we are fortunate to have in this country banning the direct marketing of POMs. Utterly unethical.

Muffinmam · 29/09/2025 09:41

I didn’t even see that ad - but searched for it after your post. You need better things to occupy your time - you really do.

marchmash · 29/09/2025 09:40

I now can't unsee previous post of 'Molten Keynes' - would be best ever fangirl site name for economics keenies. I would get out more but....

SirBasil · 29/09/2025 09:30

JellyIegs · 27/09/2025 23:18

There was one a while ago about the excitement of taking the monorail to MK and I honestly thought it meant Milton Keynes so ended up tapping on the link to see what it was about 🤣 ah, Magic Kingdom… makes more sense.

oh i am seriously disappointed now. I had assumed Milton Keynes too. My life is a lie!

FrondsofFriday · 29/09/2025 09:24

There’s a decent theatre in Milton Keynes.

I do find MNHQ oddly Disney-fixated; I assume it’s a sponsorship deal.

Also, did anyone REALLY not know about Baby Boden?? Mind you, I studiously refuse to click on amy thread with AD on it, so perhaps it’s revealing something terribly exciting. I suspect not though.

ViciousCurrentBun · 29/09/2025 09:08

I saw MK and thought it meant Michael Kors.

snowmichael · 29/09/2025 09:06

Get a decent adblocker

Sunshineandoranges · 29/09/2025 09:05

I agree 100% with you.

GameWheelsAlarm · 29/09/2025 09:01

JellyIegs · 27/09/2025 23:18

There was one a while ago about the excitement of taking the monorail to MK and I honestly thought it meant Milton Keynes so ended up tapping on the link to see what it was about 🤣 ah, Magic Kingdom… makes more sense.

Me too!

AnnaFrith · 29/09/2025 08:57

I went to Milton Keynes for the first and only time two years ago.
I was quite excited about it at the time.
I was a bit sad when I thought I'd missed the monorail.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 29/09/2025 08:54

TheignT · 29/09/2025 06:37

I think I'm a bit out there, I thought Mount Kilimanjaro. Although thinking about it that wasn't very likely.

Show quote history

Me too 🤣.
I wonder if Milton Keynes has seen a rise in visitor numbers recently?
Disappointed visitors presumably .

ButIlikepink · 29/09/2025 08:53

Top Guns and flashing aircraft still taking over our screens.