Skimlinks on Talk

I'm glad it wasn't just me who thought they'd got malware on their laptop. I hate it. I get the need to make money I do but I've been on a few fora/blogs where I've just stopped visiting because it became so ridiculous.

I don't mind the banner ads at all and occasionally chuckle when they are thread appropriate.

I'm sure my posts do the same as anyone else, but I can't see them, which is battle won for me.

They don't - but your posts are generating them, DesolateWaist, see link to the Vodafone shop.

I am using an ad blocker on my browser and they don't show up.

I don't like the skim links, but appreciate the need for revenue and I have found the advertising many of the other sites are resorting to even more annoying and obtrusive. So overall it's not my least favourite way for MN to survive!

I would say that I haven't found a single one remotely useful yet, I don't know if that's because I'm too far outside MN's main demographic or because whatever algorithm the skim links use is poorly targeted for MN readership. But you're presumably looking at the click through rate etc. and concerned about that yourself. Also, the light blue isn't enough of a distinction from user included links and I think, if you're not clearer about it, people are going to start coming up with their own misspellings and code words for phrases that are skim linked to avoid it looking like they are endorsing whatever advertising is layered on top of their post. Or they're going to start being quite rude about the companies advertising or stop providing content at all by not posting. No one wants to feel they are being used in that way.

It also makes mn look a bit desperate and 'low rent' IMO

I agree. It makes it look very low rent. I also agree that brand names is one thing but linking phrases like mobile phone to a provider is very underhand.
I also think that the line about it making it easier to find stuff is treating us like dumb asses. We are not stupid. If someone recommends a brand or company then I can google it myself.
If MN had said 'look the bottom line is that it makes us money and means we can keep going' I wouldn't mind. Don't make out like it's doing me a favour.

Hadn't spotted these links at all until today when I saw a thread full of references to the supermarket that I shall henceforth call ASAD.

Skim links may be a good idea for some sites with a target audience that fits with the adverts. The average MNer is of above average intelligence and of above average cynicism and it's just not a good strategy for us. It is crass and offputting.

I would be very much in favour of a subscription-based advert-free option. We are all in favour of Mumsnet paying its way but it doesn't have to be all through advertising.

And now I've done it myself.

And so did this one.

It's not even specific brand names. This took me straight to Vodafone. Who I detest.

Find the skimlimks annoying, intrusive and controlling. I've decided to resign from the site as it's just too annoying.

I think the D0ctor W h 0 one will crop up a lot. Someone mentioned it here upthread and I saw it today on a thread where the op was worried about having a big baby.
Every time someone says 'I've seen a d0ct0r w h 0 said . . .' This will crop up. Puerile and crass.

my first thought was that I had a virus and/or it was a link to malware
I did right click -> copy link and then pasted it on a word doc to see what the link was without clicking on it

I've been using MN on the mobile site so wasn't aware of this until today. It's annoying and counter-productive in so many ways. Firstly, it makes serious posts seem like trolls advertising because it's impossible to know if they added the link themselves or if the software did it. Secondly, associating a product or website with a feeling of annoyance and low-level irritation isn't going to lead to more sales. It's going to create negative brand connotations rather than positive ones.
I realise this will make no difference to the roll-out but I just wanted to vent because I resent the fact I had to look for this thread to make sure my computer didn't have a virus

Whevs, Soupy. Not getting into a row with about pulling someone up with snarkiness.

Just seen the stupidest one yet, on the Call The Midwife thread. The words 'doctor' and 'who' in a sentence together linking to Doctor Who goods on Amazon. And yes, I clicked, for the sheer entertainment value of this pile of rancid bollocks ad package you've inflicted on us.

It paraphrases what AmyGMN says in the OP.

And, like I said, that is not all they said at all. Maybe read what Justine herself had to say instead.

It paraphrases what AmyGMN says in the OP. 'This makes it easier for you to look at products'.

If it actually did that, it would be linking to "the Trafalgar dress on B(den that has such lovely fabric" NOT to the whole site or to a supermarket or random items on the well known auction site.

It doesn't make it any easier if it's linking to the whole site.

Another thought occurs... Two in one day, I'll need a low down...

If they can retrospectively add links to whatever word they like, doesn't that open the door for sponsors to pay extra for certain words to lead to their products?

Imagine the Beckham's approaching MN with a few million, all mumsnet have to do is make sure any use of the words like 'Posh' 'Becks' 'Beckham' 'Perfume' 'Brooklyn' etc all point at their products websites.

Seems a bit iffy to me.
Obviousky thats not to say MN wpukd accept being spinsored in such fashion.

The implication is that when a poster mentions a product they are probably doing so in order to recommend or endorse said product and mn is helping them by creating a link.

What actually seems to be happening is that links are generated by words which may or may not be products and they take you to amazoon or eebay?

It paraphrases what AmyGMN says in the OP.
'This makes it easier for you to look at products'.
Which is a bit trashy, but understandable.

'Making unrelated words appear like adverts in your posts' does not feature in their reasoning, however. Guess a lazy/accidental/intrigued click still brings in the pennies.

That doesn't paraphrase what Justine posted at all though.

somerville the problem with a NFP forum is that it has running costs. There design and development and hosting and domains to pay for. There's people looking after the site all the time too.

I've thought about it because I make websites all day and I think it's interesting to see how it would work but I know from working with open source stuff, they are hard to sustain.

I was paraphrasing Soup, but it was words to that effect imo

That's not exactly or all that they said is it?