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Original poster

Automated bot post ? You cannot be serious

32 replies

Evidencebased · 16/07/2019 16:21

WTAF?

Automated bot post ? You cannot be serious
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MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 17/07/2019 10:58

Thanks Bobbiepin. We will pass that on.

Bobbiepin · 17/07/2019 10:55

Fair play @Hebemumsnet but as a bit of feedback, even if I was talking about sistema, I don't want to see adverts for it (or anything else). There's been a huge influx of adverts recently and it's very off putting, especially the ones in the middle of threads. Please don't add new ones in.

MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 17/07/2019 10:18

Morning everyone. Thanks for the reports on this. We seem to have got to the bottom of it and the good news is we should be plastic-storage-free now.

The cock up error occurred because we were testing the new Shop Bot. It's (ahem) MEANT to post only in a few areas of the site where it looks for keywords and posts recommendations.

We picked Sistema for the test only because it's a rare keyword (we weren't receiving any cash for this or anything like that). If someone posts about Sistema it be safe to assume they might like some products recommended.

There's also a long list of exclusions (sensitive threads and topics etc) where the test bot was not meant to post. What happened was we changed a bit of code and all the exclusions became inclusions temporarily.

We're on top of it now so things should all be back to normal and it shouldn't happen again but if you ever spot any weirdness like this again please do hit the report button straight away.

We're off to start sweeping up a million plastic storage boxes that are rampaging on the site trying to cure all manner of ills now. Thanks again for your patience with this.

meala · 16/07/2019 18:40

Still happening just now. Constant adverts for plastic boxes 😡

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 16/07/2019 17:51

It's still happening, btw.

IamChipmunk · 16/07/2019 17:27

Everything i have clicked on from the Active list has had the spam for the storage boxes...
About 6 or 7 different threads...

jackernanna · 16/07/2019 17:13

It's on almost every thread I have opened this afternoon. One was a poster whose father is dying - I am sure she is mightily relieved that she can find somewhere practical to store him. NOT. Seriously @MNHQ this is truly, truly awful.

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 16/07/2019 17:12

Anna - I reported it anyway even though MNHQ have tried to throw us off the scent with the Borax Grin

MumofTinies · 16/07/2019 17:04

This one was seriously inappropriate. I don't think these ads are a good idea at all.

Automated bot post ? You cannot be serious
AnnaJKing · 16/07/2019 16:59

I’ve tried to report this one, but the “report post” button takes me to a completely different thread (about Borax)!

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3639678-Girl-murder-images-posted-to-social-media?watched=1&msgid=88594583#88594583

Absolutepowercorrupts · 16/07/2019 16:58

It's still showing on threads

Automated bot post ? You cannot be serious
TroubleWithNargles · 16/07/2019 16:42

I can't see them on my chromebook either, thankfully. I'm having enough trouble with angry birds as it is.

MNHQ
AnyaMumsnet · 16/07/2019 16:41

Hi there all,

We're trying to find why this has gone live - it was never meant to be on for logged in users, or even in whole topics. It was meant to be a very small test targeted at a few specific threads for logged out users. We've switched it off now so do let us know if you still see it anywhere.

We're really sorry about this Flowers

caughtinanet · 16/07/2019 16:41

Is this why I've just seen what I thought was someone posting on the wrong thread about a box?

How odd

PaddingtonMare · 16/07/2019 16:36

I’ve just been on a thread about a woman who’s husband has experimented with a man and an ad for a box has come up - what she going to do? Ask him to keep a lid on it? Put him in a box and dump him by the roadside?

I haven’t seen ad serving like this work unless you are a retailer with brand loyal and customers who purchase regularly (I’ve seen a lot of solutions!).

You’d be better off creating mumsnet recommends ads surely? People will be talking about their future purchases (this is real and valuable insight!!!)

Automated bot post ? You cannot be serious
mumblechum0 · 16/07/2019 16:35

I've just reported it them :-D

Bobbiepin · 16/07/2019 16:35

Its crap @mnhq please stop it

mumblechum0 · 16/07/2019 16:34

Yes please stop it, it's completely inappropriate.

SayNoToCarrots · 16/07/2019 16:33

They are on the mobile site too

WhatTheAbsoluteFuck · 16/07/2019 16:33

Awful stop it now

BreakfastAtSquiffanys · 16/07/2019 16:31

Bonkers

RavenLG · 16/07/2019 16:30

It's awful. I know it's a bot but some of the posts I'm seeing this on it's really out of order. You would think MNHQ would know better!

MirandaWest · 16/07/2019 16:30

Are these on the app? As I can’t see them on the thread you’ve mentioned (am using mobile site)

AlunWynsKnee · 16/07/2019 16:30

They need to stop testing it and do more work on context I think

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 16/07/2019 16:29

Not in favour. Honestly MNHQ what were you thinking??