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Original poster

What is this ‘You might also like’ clutter?

790 replies

PalatineHill · 15/11/2022 14:07

Hi MNHQ. Please just take it out. Or let me opt out of it? It looks a mess.

If here’s something that I might also like to read, I’ll find it by using the search function.
These suggestions are just encouraging the posting of the same points on multiple similar threads, and that will discourage healthy normal thread death.

It’s really distracting to look at visually, I really liked the uncluttered ‘clean’ MN format compared to other forums.

OP posts:
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WhatTheHellIsAQuasar · 16/11/2022 14:46

@YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet why isn’t this “feature” on site stuff?

TimeForMeToF1y · 16/11/2022 14:46

First time logging on since the change and the first thead I clicked on has the word advice in the title, the algorithm has helpfully suggested 2 other threads with advice in the title. Because, obviously someone needing advice on very specific situation A is also interested very specific advice on situations Q and Z (not)

Original poster
PalatineHill · 16/11/2022 14:43

MNHQ would you be able to speak to more of the points raised earlier in the thread? It’s not just (for most of us) about how clumsy and upsetting the us-asked-for suggestions of an algorithm can be.

Its also the fact that you’re changing the feel and structure of the site by removing easy to spot dates on threads and then encouraging Zombie thread revivals by the ‘You might like’ plugging.

Posters usually want real time interaction with each other, or as near as possible. That interaction is what gives MN the sense of community. The community feel is what retains the posters who make the posts that make the site what it is. Isn’t that something that the site needs to try to hold on to?

OP posts:
AutumnCrow · 16/11/2022 14:31

I was thinking what @DappledThings is thinking and it's got 'intern' and 'work experience' in there.

And why no new sign ups at the moment? Are we having another security moment?

Beees · 16/11/2022 14:25

Skinnermarink · 16/11/2022 14:01

Tweaking?!

It needs to be gone. Why not admit you made a bad call in the first place?

Agree completely. MNHQ are acting a small child being caught in a lie and instead of appologising and admitting their mistake they double down and start spouting rubbish to try and justify their angle.

It doesn't need to be tweaked, it just doesn't need to be there full stop.

No wonder MNs cost and outgoings are so high if they are splashing money on such unnecessary nonsense.

FayeGovan · 16/11/2022 14:15

I dont like this new facility either.

TheOrigRights · 16/11/2022 14:07

And ha ha to it not being available on Site Stuff. It might prompt users to look and think "god yes, that does annoy me" and add to the thread!

Skinnermarink · 16/11/2022 14:07

Interesting point about wanting posters to leave the site! It’s closed to new sign ups at the moment too.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 16/11/2022 14:07

Even if there was an opt out button it would not help as not everyone will opt out so old posts will still appear in active.

DappledThings · 16/11/2022 14:06

Skinnermarink · 16/11/2022 14:01

Tweaking?!

It needs to be gone. Why not admit you made a bad call in the first place?

I think it's because someone senior's kid manage to release it while on work experience and they are too embarrassed to admit it

ZeroFuchsGiven · 16/11/2022 14:06

I can not for the life of me work out why it cant just be gone with, literally no one wants/needs or likes it. Its almost like Mumsnet are wanting posters to leave the site because in all honesty its a shit show, it doesnt need tweaking it needs to be gone, it is utterly pointless and is making the site unusable.

TheOrigRights · 16/11/2022 14:05

Please remove it, or give an option to remove it, or put it right at the bottom of the page so I don't need to scroll to get to the "Add your message here" box.

I am quite capable of navigating my way around the site. I hate being 'fed' stuff by websites.

Skinnermarink · 16/11/2022 14:01

Tweaking?!

It needs to be gone. Why not admit you made a bad call in the first place?

DappledThings · 16/11/2022 13:59

YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet · 16/11/2022 13:55

Thanks, everyone! Based on your feedback we’re making some changes so that older threads are less likely to be shown. We’re also adding in more controls for sensitive topics and, after that, we’ll tweak it again so that older threads are less likely to appear in Trending.

If it needs that much tweaking (which it does) why not admit it's a mess and wasn't ready for launch and taken it away again entirely until it is "tweaked".

Ideally you would just take it away and not bring it back given how universally unpopular it us but assuming you are going to insist on keeping it you could at least have the grace to launch it properly at a later date.

Skinnermarink · 16/11/2022 13:58

I did think there were a few more interesting/varied threads about. When I click and see they are no longer active I come straight off them. Completely pointless.

MNHQ
YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet · 16/11/2022 13:55

Thanks, everyone! Based on your feedback we’re making some changes so that older threads are less likely to be shown. We’re also adding in more controls for sensitive topics and, after that, we’ll tweak it again so that older threads are less likely to appear in Trending.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 16/11/2022 13:53

It’s AWFUL. I don’t need MNHQ trying to dictate my usage - I’ll decide for myself what I want to read. Make it stop.

Peridot1 · 16/11/2022 13:43

WhatTheHellIsAQuasar · 15/11/2022 22:04

how can MN be such an established (read old) site and still be this inept at getting changes right?

turn it off until you’ve thought through how you can stop extremely sensitive topics across your whole site being shoved into unsuspecting users faces.

can’t do an edit button, capitalise the first letter of a paragraph, or implement anything else users have been asking for but can implement badly thought through changes that nobody wants. Someone’s pet project was it?

This. It’s a really bad idea. Why on earth encourage the resurrection of zombie threads.

I think it also looks really cheesy and crappy.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 16/11/2022 12:26

Ive just been reading a thread in active about someone who cant shift their hangover, it was started in September, pretty sure it would have cleared up by now!

Topseyt123 · 16/11/2022 12:23

It's horrendous, it is annoying and often hugely inappropriate. GET RID OF IT.

I would rather have the top few "trending" threads showing in that slot on the mobile site, which was what we had until now.

If you don't want zombie threads resurrected then stop pointing people towards them or you are part of the cause of the problems. You just made things even easier for the trolls.

AnApparitionQuipped · 16/11/2022 12:01

A thread about problems someone had with collecting ashes after a cremation appeared as a suggestion on a thread about posting spoilers for 'The Great British Bake Off':

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4648830-to-tell-the-undertaker

suggested under:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4678584-to-tell-the-poster-who-spoiled-bake-off-final

That doesn't seem very appropriate.

WhatTheHellIsAQuasar · 16/11/2022 11:38

Whinge · 16/11/2022 09:57

Yes they didn't think to disable the feature from sensitive topics / boards, but someone has deliberately made the decision to exclude site stuff...

That's really shitty of them.

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@mnhq it would be really interesting to hear your explanation for this

Whinge · 16/11/2022 11:00

AutumnCrow · 16/11/2022 10:57

I just checked and it's being used in Relationship on 'abusive ex' threads.

Show quote history

Yep no suggestions at all on site stuff, but apparently MNHQ are ok with this. Sad

What is this ‘You might also like’ clutter?
AutumnCrow · 16/11/2022 10:57

LadyMarmaladeAtkins · 16/11/2022 10:51

Also, if it's working off algorithms I hope it's not being used on sensitive topics.

^^This.

Mumsnet, please get rid of this 'feature' for the reason above and because it's annoying and pointless.

I just checked and it's being used in Relationship on 'abusive ex' threads.

LadyMarmaladeAtkins · 16/11/2022 10:51

Also, if it's working off algorithms I hope it's not being used on sensitive topics.

^^This.

Mumsnet, please get rid of this 'feature' for the reason above and because it's annoying and pointless.