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Original poster

To think there are way too many engagement farming threads on MN nowadays? s?

148 replies

MrMurphysComeuppance · 16/10/2026 15:37

Do you know what an engagement farming thread is, and what the classic signs are to spot one? If not then you are probably being taken in on a daily basis on this forum by 'posters' who are not genuine about problems and dilemmas that are not real.

The site is absolutely awash with them. It's been a big issue for the last year or so and it really is getting ridiculous now. These 'posters' often start threads that can run for days and days with pages of responses, but after the initial OP and maybe one or two quick follow up posts, the 'OP' is nowhere to be seen. And they are always (or almost always) a first time poster/brand new user name. Even if they have posted on one or two other threads that day (very rare and only done occasionally to make the account look more genuine) they never have a proper posting history. There is a very good reason for this, which I can explain if anyone is interested.

Now I've been here a really long time and I name change often these days, for privacy reasons, but there is NO WAY I name change for every single thread I start and NO WAY I use a new name each and every time for my one thread only, without ever engaging on anyone else's threads using that same user name. Who on earth has time for that? That's just not normal forum behaviour. And yet that is what is happening on here, multiple times a day, across several accounts that only exist to generate fake threads and therefore traffic.

I can spot them a mile off now, they are so formulaic and predictable, but it really irritates me that so many posters are so gullible and get caught up in these long debates, giving their time and advice where is no genuine OP at the heart of it. You are being taken for suckers.

I can give you a detailed breakdown of what to look for in a probable engagement farming thread (or rage bait as they are often called, although they are often not always designed to get people in a rage, often just to spark long conversations and polarise opinion on a subject.)

MN is full of actual, intelligent human beings who are more than capable of starting interesting conversations by themselves. Or at least it used to be. Do we really need people/bots creating accounts then name changing several times a day to churn out fake thread after fake thread just to keep the clicks coming? It has massively dumbed down the site and no-one seems to care. Certainly the people who run the site don't seem to care, and why would they, when key strokes and clicks mean ££££?

OP posts:
Thecatspantaloons · Today 03:41

For me it's the ones that go round and round and round , in a loop where everyone's wrong and everyone's right.

Without being super obvious about a current thread running - that happens this time of year. Every year.
People who are or /family members are vulnerable to infections Versus people who still need to go about their lives regardless, due to their own financial situations.
Cue , people screaming how selfish we/you are for not recognising how we all need to stay at home/go to work, to stay alive.
🙄

VividPinkTraybake · Yesterday 23:47

BeckyAMumsnet · Yesterday 10:09

Hi all. Just wanted to address a few points here.

We completely understand the frustration with threads that don't appear genuine but we're not convinced 'engagement farming' is really a thing on Mumsnet in the way it is on other platforms. There's no creator economy rewarding people for going viral.

Just to be absolutely clear, MNHQ doesn't create fake threads or employ people or bots to manufacture discussions. The suggestion that we'd deliberately deceive users to boost advertising revenue simply isn't true. It would also be a pretty daft way to run a community that depends on people's trust.

We'd also caution against assuming that certain posting patterns are evidence of trolling. New usernames, dramatic threads and OPs who don't return are all perfectly normal features of pretty much every online community. The danger of treating suspicion as fact is that genuine posters end up being interrogated or accused of lying, which isn't particularly welcoming, especially for people looking for support.

Please do report anything you're concerned about. We take those reports seriously, but we'd ask people to remember that suspecting a thread isn't genuine and knowing it isn't genuine are two rather different things.

Thanks
MNHQ

Can you comment on Mumsnet bumping contentious threads then?

SoThatsTheWayItIs · Yesterday 22:18

DorsetKnobBiscuit · Yesterday 20:55

Here's a corker of a thread happening right now for anyone interested in this subject https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5590035-how-does-this-guy-not-feel-tired-maintaining-his-professional-image?reply=155400425

Interestingly this thread has just gone “poof”

flumpkeu · Yesterday 21:41

Rosegla55es · Yesterday 21:18

Not saying you start them but you definitely don’t discourage it because you know it’s good for revenue. You get thread after thread attacking SEND children, PIP recipients, autistic children and adults, those on benefits, how shit the UK…. on a parenting forum, on a loop!These same themes every week are coming from disingenuous sources( Reform, possibly abroad) but you do nothing. You just let them run over and again because you know they’ll reach 1000 and that’s great for you as longer threads and more clicks equals more revenue. You’re simply not doing enough to protect the people bringing you revenue from being manipulated.

Show quote history

Not only that, they then also share those threads on Facebook to further generate interest.

Rosegla55es · Yesterday 21:18

BeckyAMumsnet · Yesterday 10:09

Hi all. Just wanted to address a few points here.

We completely understand the frustration with threads that don't appear genuine but we're not convinced 'engagement farming' is really a thing on Mumsnet in the way it is on other platforms. There's no creator economy rewarding people for going viral.

Just to be absolutely clear, MNHQ doesn't create fake threads or employ people or bots to manufacture discussions. The suggestion that we'd deliberately deceive users to boost advertising revenue simply isn't true. It would also be a pretty daft way to run a community that depends on people's trust.

We'd also caution against assuming that certain posting patterns are evidence of trolling. New usernames, dramatic threads and OPs who don't return are all perfectly normal features of pretty much every online community. The danger of treating suspicion as fact is that genuine posters end up being interrogated or accused of lying, which isn't particularly welcoming, especially for people looking for support.

Please do report anything you're concerned about. We take those reports seriously, but we'd ask people to remember that suspecting a thread isn't genuine and knowing it isn't genuine are two rather different things.

Thanks
MNHQ

Not saying you start them but you definitely don’t discourage it because you know it’s good for revenue. You get thread after thread attacking SEND children, PIP recipients, autistic children and adults, those on benefits, how shit the UK…. on a parenting forum, on a loop!These same themes every week are coming from disingenuous sources( Reform, possibly abroad) but you do nothing. You just let them run over and again because you know they’ll reach 1000 and that’s great for you as longer threads and more clicks equals more revenue. You’re simply not doing enough to protect the people bringing you revenue from being manipulated.

flumpkeu · Yesterday 21:17

DorsetKnobBiscuit · Yesterday 20:55

Here's a corker of a thread happening right now for anyone interested in this subject https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5590035-how-does-this-guy-not-feel-tired-maintaining-his-professional-image?reply=155400425

Haha sure MN, no involvement whatsoever.

SoThatsTheWayItIs · Yesterday 21:13

BeckyAMumsnet · Yesterday 10:09

Hi all. Just wanted to address a few points here.

We completely understand the frustration with threads that don't appear genuine but we're not convinced 'engagement farming' is really a thing on Mumsnet in the way it is on other platforms. There's no creator economy rewarding people for going viral.

Just to be absolutely clear, MNHQ doesn't create fake threads or employ people or bots to manufacture discussions. The suggestion that we'd deliberately deceive users to boost advertising revenue simply isn't true. It would also be a pretty daft way to run a community that depends on people's trust.

We'd also caution against assuming that certain posting patterns are evidence of trolling. New usernames, dramatic threads and OPs who don't return are all perfectly normal features of pretty much every online community. The danger of treating suspicion as fact is that genuine posters end up being interrogated or accused of lying, which isn't particularly welcoming, especially for people looking for support.

Please do report anything you're concerned about. We take those reports seriously, but we'd ask people to remember that suspecting a thread isn't genuine and knowing it isn't genuine are two rather different things.

Thanks
MNHQ

Perhaps MNHQ bumping threads about potentially contentious issues after just 30 minutes because it has had no responses doesn’t help people’s suspicions.

Nimblebinble · Yesterday 21:03

There have always been troll threads on mumsnet but at least back in the day people read and responded to other comments, discussions evolved and often the thread would end up being useful/ funny/ clever. Nowadays we get mostly repeated comments as most of us just read the op.

BeverleyBrooks · Yesterday 20:49

I have noticed this recently too. A contentious issue, 3 posts by the OP, then nothing more.

I now check the OPs posts on a thread and if there’s nothing past the first page I don’t bother.

SixtySomething · Yesterday 16:16

AmadeustheAlpaca · 16/10/2026 16:42

Also I am getting thoroughly sick of wordy AI composed posts with lots of unnecessary description added to make them seem more genuine. I wish posters could be more succinct.
Mumsnet need to tighten this up or members will leave in droves.

Yes I agree . It’s really putting me off MN. I feel embarrassed for the people offering advice and solutions.

Granville82 · Yesterday 13:29

BeckyAMumsnet · Yesterday 10:09

Hi all. Just wanted to address a few points here.

We completely understand the frustration with threads that don't appear genuine but we're not convinced 'engagement farming' is really a thing on Mumsnet in the way it is on other platforms. There's no creator economy rewarding people for going viral.

Just to be absolutely clear, MNHQ doesn't create fake threads or employ people or bots to manufacture discussions. The suggestion that we'd deliberately deceive users to boost advertising revenue simply isn't true. It would also be a pretty daft way to run a community that depends on people's trust.

We'd also caution against assuming that certain posting patterns are evidence of trolling. New usernames, dramatic threads and OPs who don't return are all perfectly normal features of pretty much every online community. The danger of treating suspicion as fact is that genuine posters end up being interrogated or accused of lying, which isn't particularly welcoming, especially for people looking for support.

Please do report anything you're concerned about. We take those reports seriously, but we'd ask people to remember that suspecting a thread isn't genuine and knowing it isn't genuine are two rather different things.

Thanks
MNHQ

Thanks for this, it's interesting!

gamerchick · Yesterday 12:22

It's been an issue since I've been on here and that's a long time.

Replies can be genuine posters but also a lot of 'genuine' posters are also lazy buggers who just ask AI to make an answer. Why, I have no idea. Then there's bots posting.

You can go on a thread to tell people they're being duped and the thread will still continue. I'm not sure people will take any notice.

SwedishEdith · Yesterday 12:17

Trappedinthecastofawhodunnit · Yesterday 09:26

It frustrates me when it’s obvious someone is bringing deliberately controversial and posters keep responding but it’s hard not to - I often have to hide these kind of threads they annoy me so much.

That's exactly how rage baiting works. (I know this is in AIBU but I've come to this thread via elsewhere) but, honestly, hide the whole AIBU topic and mn becomes a much better experience.

Trappedinthecastofawhodunnit · Yesterday 10:12

Rosegla55es · Yesterday 09:49

Yep they’re often on a theme and not very nice, targeting certain groups. MN does nothing because it leads to extra money. More clicks and engagement equals more money from advertising. Yes we are being played by MN and those doing it.

Worse that that MN uses these threads by highlighting them on trending and Facebook. It’s a business and they want to earn money. More clicks more advertising fees.

MNHQ
BeckyAMumsnet · Yesterday 10:09

Hi all. Just wanted to address a few points here.

We completely understand the frustration with threads that don't appear genuine but we're not convinced 'engagement farming' is really a thing on Mumsnet in the way it is on other platforms. There's no creator economy rewarding people for going viral.

Just to be absolutely clear, MNHQ doesn't create fake threads or employ people or bots to manufacture discussions. The suggestion that we'd deliberately deceive users to boost advertising revenue simply isn't true. It would also be a pretty daft way to run a community that depends on people's trust.

We'd also caution against assuming that certain posting patterns are evidence of trolling. New usernames, dramatic threads and OPs who don't return are all perfectly normal features of pretty much every online community. The danger of treating suspicion as fact is that genuine posters end up being interrogated or accused of lying, which isn't particularly welcoming, especially for people looking for support.

Please do report anything you're concerned about. We take those reports seriously, but we'd ask people to remember that suspecting a thread isn't genuine and knowing it isn't genuine are two rather different things.

Thanks
MNHQ

Rosegla55es · Yesterday 09:52

It’s hard to work out what to do when vulnerable groups are being targeted. It looks as if such threads are widespread views, if nobody puts across a counter argument ,when they’re not.
What is the best course of action?

Rosegla55es · Yesterday 09:49

Yep they’re often on a theme and not very nice, targeting certain groups. MN does nothing because it leads to extra money. More clicks and engagement equals more money from advertising. Yes we are being played by MN and those doing it.

Spudlover · Yesterday 09:46

I know exactly what you mean OP, they’re a daily occurrence. They usually have an outrageous element to them guaranteed to get a response. There is one at the moment about alcohol for example.

Before I even bother reading the thread I usually check the number of responses by the OP. Often there is only one and then several pages of arguing.

Trappedinthecastofawhodunnit · Yesterday 09:27

The longer the initial post the more suspicious I am

Trappedinthecastofawhodunnit · Yesterday 09:26

It frustrates me when it’s obvious someone is bringing deliberately controversial and posters keep responding but it’s hard not to - I often have to hide these kind of threads they annoy me so much.

usernumbernotfound · Yesterday 09:20

I completely agree with you OP and what I find particularly frustrating is when posters literally warn others that a post is obviously fake (due to the advanced search function) and then they get attacked for using that function as if they are the ones with the problem!

People then start to brag about how they never search posters names because they arent stalkers etc and I just think alrighty then, carry on posting on a completely fake, made up thread- you're only wasting your own damn time- and they do! pages and pages of comments and arguing about a scenario thats a complete fabrication!

flumpkeu · Yesterday 09:08

I also don’t think it’s harmless because a lot of the time it’s frankly taking the piss out of women. Either caricaturing them, goading and provoking them, feasting on women seeking company and conversation, or taking advantage of women who will help. I hate it, there’s a reason MN Trolls exists on Reddit.

TheThirteenthFairy · Yesterday 09:03

JaneJeffer · 16/10/2026 16:10

This thread could even be engagement farming 😂

Show quote history

I thought so too. Things like 'I can explain' and 'I can explain if anyone's interested' - given the length of the post Mr Murphy could've already explained three times over. He's a bit of a tease, doncha think?

Cloudsaandcastles · Yesterday 08:53

Considering we are mid October, the bigger problem of fake "beggars" is coming. I wonder if they will be less likely spotted hiding under the cover of all the BS threads we already have