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Original poster

Upsetting ad coming up . Has anyone else had this? It’s very triggering

154 replies

whatanoddthingtoask · 10/02/2023 18:00

Hi
twice today an ad has come up ‘40 genetic photos’ and an image of what appears to be a baby affected by a trisomy ? This could upset a parent who has suffered a loss due to this.
It really startled me (I’ve been through this) it could upset someone else ?

OP posts:
Led9519 · 10/02/2023 21:45

But I’m still seeing it with different distressing images of babies.
The site is history all day.

To let everyone know you can press the x in the corner and give feedback to google. I said it was inappropriate.

Upsetting ad coming up . Has anyone else had this? It’s very triggering
GanderingGoose · 10/02/2023 21:45

@LilyMumsnet you said it's blocked but it isn't. I've cleared my cookies and browsing history and also refreshed Mumsnet but the ad is still appearing.

Led9519 · 10/02/2023 21:40

LilyMumsnet · 10/02/2023 18:08

We are so sorry that this happened.

The issue is, the advertisers who use the google ad slots can hide their keywords/urls from us which makes them really hard to locate.

We would kindly ask that if you see it again, you provide a screenshot and a direct link to the advert. We can use that link to block it instantly.
As it's an ad choices ad, it's unlikely we'd come across it ourselves.

We're really sorry for the inconvenience caused here and we will have it resolved ASAP.

Not sure if anyone has posted the advertiser link it’s this

www.historyallday.com/incredible-individuals-with-unique-genetic-traits/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=&utm_campaign=ME_GE_US_HAD_ALL_PMAX_UniqueGenetics_V1_UV5_0108_at&utm_term=&utm_content=feed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3bSXvPSL_QIVLEH2CB3ZlwO3EAEYASAAEgIo0fD_BwE

myveryownelectrickitten · 10/02/2023 21:35

@LilyMumsnet the link I posted didn’t seem to have those images on it, but they seem to be coming from other clickbait links on that site.

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 10/02/2023 21:31

Hello

We did try and get the ad to appear but it wouldn't.
Thank you so much for sharing the full URL - we've blocked it now. We have strict rules in place but sadly, sometimes, advertisers can mask their keywords which can make them incredibly difficult to find. We are really sorry for the upset caused here.

GanderingGoose · 10/02/2023 21:29

Why is this ad still up? How can a site so big as Mumsnet not have the tech team to deal with this promptly. It's been 3 hours since it was reported. It seems MN wants the money that unrestricted ads bring but not to spend that money on a decent IT department who know how to swiftly deal with these situations.

MichelleScarn · 10/02/2023 21:12

Could the nightwatch help with this?

EmmaEmerald · 10/02/2023 21:07

I have had a history wotsit link but no upsetting pics and no babies.

I am not good with this stuff but thought Google ads was linked to what I look at. I'm squeamish so a bit worried now!

Racetothebottom2022 · 10/02/2023 20:52

@LilyMumsnet @MNHQ are you so lacking here?

SnarkyBag · 10/02/2023 20:44

Gmamaofboys13 · 10/02/2023 20:35

Is it the picture of the baby from Pakistan with the quick/fast aging medical condition

I’ve seen 3 different pictures all awful

SnarkyBag · 10/02/2023 20:44

It’s still fucking coming up?! Where is MNHQ and why have they gone silent on this thread?

MichelleScarn · 10/02/2023 20:41

I've seen 3 very different very upsetting images of different aged children. It's awful and I highly doubt that is meant to be for the benefit of these children.

Westfacing · 10/02/2023 20:38

Gmamaofboys13 · 10/02/2023 20:35

Is it the picture of the baby from Pakistan with the quick/fast aging medical condition

That's not what I saw - think there must be a different images

Gmamaofboys13 · 10/02/2023 20:35

Is it the picture of the baby from Pakistan with the quick/fast aging medical condition

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 10/02/2023 20:35

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/02/2023 20:34

  1. Literally everyone on this thread is telling you they’re getting the ad. Surely you must be able to log in as a user and then you will also get the ad and therefore have the URL. Asking for the URL has resulted in users blaming a PP for posting a shot of it when they thought that’s what you asked for. Stop asking for users to do your leg work for you and get your site testers to do it for you. And hurry up about it.
  2. You are responsible for selling ad space on this site. You have now been highlighted this issue more than once - today is not the first time an OP raised this. This is a parenting site, it isn’t beyond the wit of man to have had forethought that this type of ad would be triggering and upsetting for a proportion of your user base. Why isn’t that discussed when ad space is sold?
  3. Given that you didn’t manage to have foresight on this issue, what else can we expect to be advertised on MN that users could, reasonably, be expected to object to in future? Do you have any red lines for advertising space whatsoever?
Show quote history

100% THIS!!

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 10/02/2023 20:34

plumduck · 10/02/2023 20:29

The thread is called upsetting ad tbf. They were only trying to help.

Show quote history

Well thankfully it’s gone now as glad they have seen the error of their ways and asked for it to be removed.

Judashascomeintosomemoney · 10/02/2023 20:34

LilyMumsnet · 10/02/2023 19:43

Hi all

We agree it's not on and we are keen to block it - but we cannot do it without the URL. Adverts on choices by google can hide their identity and so unless we found it ourselves, it wouldn't necessarily appear for us. You can get the URL by clicking on the ad. As soon as we have this, we can put a block in place.

  1. Literally everyone on this thread is telling you they’re getting the ad. Surely you must be able to log in as a user and then you will also get the ad and therefore have the URL. Asking for the URL has resulted in users blaming a PP for posting a shot of it when they thought that’s what you asked for. Stop asking for users to do your leg work for you and get your site testers to do it for you. And hurry up about it.
  2. You are responsible for selling ad space on this site. You have now been highlighted this issue more than once - today is not the first time an OP raised this. This is a parenting site, it isn’t beyond the wit of man to have had forethought that this type of ad would be triggering and upsetting for a proportion of your user base. Why isn’t that discussed when ad space is sold?
  3. Given that you didn’t manage to have foresight on this issue, what else can we expect to be advertised on MN that users could, reasonably, be expected to object to in future? Do you have any red lines for advertising space whatsoever?
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 10/02/2023 20:33

Yes. I was wondering what the hell this advert is FOR?

I saw the photo on the first page and thankfully do not have the other ones appearing .

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 10/02/2023 20:33

@LilyMumsnet have you blocked it yet?

Zipadeebooyah · 10/02/2023 20:31

Why is stuff like this appearing? It says "advertisement"

Advertisement for what??

Zipadeebooyah · 10/02/2023 20:30

And shit like this while we're at it... ConfusedHmm

Upsetting ad coming up . Has anyone else had this? It’s very triggering
plumduck · 10/02/2023 20:29

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 10/02/2023 20:27

Yes to be emailed / messaged to them. We don’t want to see it on the thread where it’s already upset a lot of people thank you!

Show quote history

The thread is called upsetting ad tbf. They were only trying to help.

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 10/02/2023 20:27

plumduck · 10/02/2023 20:22

Mumsnet asked for a screen shot and a link

Show quote history

Yes to be emailed / messaged to them. We don’t want to see it on the thread where it’s already upset a lot of people thank you!

imnotsickbutimnotwell · 10/02/2023 20:25

ladymacbeth · 10/02/2023 20:20

Maybe because MNHQ asked for a screenshot so they knew what advert it was?

Show quote history

I think most people would have realised MN meant to email / message it to them rather than post it on the thread where several people have said they find it an incredibly upsetting image.

To post it on the thread without any censorship is very inconsiderate and has caused more distress.