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MNHQ here: removing the 90 day limit on _Chat threads

164 replies

KateMumsnet · 17/08/2018 12:38

Hello all

Just a quick heads up that we're going to be removing the 90-day limit on the lifespan of threads started in the _Chat topic on Monday.

There are two reasons for this - firstly, people often don't clock that _Chat threads go pouf at a certain point; once they realise, they ask us to move their thread, and that can take a fair bit of time at our end.

The other is that, Mumsnet being the amazing resource that it is, MN _Chat threads show up in people's search results for anything and everything. When they click through, though, the thread's gone pouf - that's a pretty frustrating user experience and we'd really like to fix it.

Don't worry, though, if you don't want your thread to hang around - just post it in the 30 day's only topic, which does exactly what it says on the tin: posts go pouf after 30 days, and aren't crawled by Google at any point.

While everyone's getting used to it we're very happy to move threads out of _Chat and into 30 days' if you forget - so do give us a shout via contactus@ if that happens.

Cheers all,

MNHQ

OP posts:
PitchBlackNight · 17/08/2018 15:35

I think it's a bad idea too. I'm a regular name changer but I still like the idea that most of my posts disappear eventually.

Plumsofwrath · 17/08/2018 15:14

Doesn’t it make sense to stop deleting Chat threads 90 days after you announce that’s what’s going to happen? Surely....?

IfIWasABirdIdFlyIn2ACeilingFan · 17/08/2018 14:49

I can’t see that being sensible from an admin point of view. Chat is so popular that will leave a huge amount of threads on the board whereas currently there are lots being cleared out every day. Also, prepare for people bumping zombie threads. Is already happens to a small extent but as most threads are posted on chat, when people search something it will likely be a chat board thread that pops up, and they’ll post on it. Very irritating.

JaneJeffer · 17/08/2018 14:45

Why not change the search results so that it doesn't show up old Chat threads instead?

GloGirl · 17/08/2018 14:13

I understand the decision behind it although I do love chat. I too would like to know what will happen with current threads?

NoelHeadbands · 17/08/2018 14:06

MNHQ delete threads on request nowadays so I’m not sure it matters a great deal anymore.

TheCrowFromBelow · 17/08/2018 14:03

Nooooooooo
How can we all relive the how often do you change your sheets/what to buy in Aldi/toilet brush vs 10litred of bleach threads
What about all the crap stuff lthat we don’t want hanging around?
The whole beauty of chat is that it does disappear Confused

DuchessThingy · 17/08/2018 13:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PanPanPanPing · 17/08/2018 13:45

And how many people know about 30 days only? I suspect far fewer than you imagine.

RageAgainstTheTagine · 17/08/2018 13:35

If this absolutely has to happen, at least make the user names vanish after 90 days.

Or, just dont do this!!

PanPanPanPing · 17/08/2018 13:33

I'm not sure this is the best of ideas. There are loads of Chat threads which are trivial, or of their moments, which don't need searching for/finding in the future. That's not to criticise the OPs or anyone who replies. And people who post in Chat expect their thread to disappear after 90 days. How many people click on to Site Stuff who will see this thread to get prior warning?

Perhaps it's a good idea to 'sticky' this thread in Chat as well?

PowerPlayed · 17/08/2018 13:02

Noooooo!!

Please don't do this.

IWannaSeeHowItEnds · 17/08/2018 12:45

So any threads started before monday will still go?

IAmTheWifeOfMaoTseTung · 17/08/2018 12:43

What about current Chat threads where the time limit is currently running? If a thread was started in Chat on 1st August, will it go poof on 29th October or does this new rule apply retroactively?

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