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Original poster

What is the point of the ’thanks’ button?

36 replies

idontwannabeanythingotherthanwhativebeentrynabe · 31/07/2024 15:18

I mean if no else, other than the poster can see it, and not even know who liked it, what the actual point is.

I wish it was an actual like / dislike button that was for all to see…

OP posts:
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BIWI · 06/08/2024 20:40

idontwannabeanythingotherthanwhativebeentrynabe · 06/08/2024 19:58

Also makes me LOL when someone announces they have X amount of 'thanks' on their post (when arguing with someone,) as if the 10 or 12 'thanks' they have means they're right. 😆

No, but this is how I learned about the thank option.
Someone really tried to win an argument by saying so and so many have thanked them, so they have to be right!
😃😅

Which is a very good reason for us not to have a public 'like' button!

DreamW3aver · 06/08/2024 20:02

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 06/08/2024 19:15

I find it pointless too. No-one can see it except the recipient, so why do we need it? Confused

Also makes me LOL when someone announces they have X amount of 'thanks' on their post (when arguing with someone,) as if the 10 or 12 'thanks' they have means they're right. 😆

Show quote history

But it's totally optional, affects no one if you never click on it, is private, why would you bother to even think about it?

Original poster
idontwannabeanythingotherthanwhativebeentrynabe · 06/08/2024 19:58

Also makes me LOL when someone announces they have X amount of 'thanks' on their post (when arguing with someone,) as if the 10 or 12 'thanks' they have means they're right. 😆

No, but this is how I learned about the thank option.
Someone really tried to win an argument by saying so and so many have thanked them, so they have to be right!
😃😅

OP posts:
LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 06/08/2024 19:15

idontwannabeanythingotherthanwhativebeentrynabe · 31/07/2024 15:18

I mean if no else, other than the poster can see it, and not even know who liked it, what the actual point is.

I wish it was an actual like / dislike button that was for all to see…

I find it pointless too. No-one can see it except the recipient, so why do we need it? Confused

Also makes me LOL when someone announces they have X amount of 'thanks' on their post (when arguing with someone,) as if the 10 or 12 'thanks' they have means they're right. 😆

StarDolphins · 06/08/2024 12:46

I do it more of a ‘like’ than a thanks!

MereDintofPandiculation · 06/08/2024 12:41

I like it too.It's nice to get a daily notification with a list of posters who have thanked me.

And I like that it's a purely private thing, not a popularity contest or a Daliy Mail style "Best" post think. Please don't ever consider moving posts to the top if they get more thanks.

@Shineabrightlight's comment about bandwagons is equally valid.

DumbassHamsterSitterPerson · 01/08/2024 14:18

One of the reasons I joined, and stayed on, MN was because of yne lack of likes, dislikes, profile pics and tickers, up/down votes.

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 01/08/2024 14:15

Hi OP,

We’ve had many requests over the years for a like button on Mumsnet but shared concerns that some have expressed about it being a bit reductive and possibly turning discussions into a popularity contest.

So we introduced 'hidden gratitude', where users can thank posters for a particularly helpful or generous post. It's an easy way to show appreciation but as the name suggests, there will be no publicly visible 'like' count, only the user who has been given thanks can see it.

suburburban · 31/07/2024 16:00

Yes I can't see it either

LynetteScavo · 31/07/2024 16:00

I can't even see it on the app. I get emails to say I've been thanked, so I think it's just a way of being sucked back to the site so MN get a higher footfall.

TinkerTiger · 31/07/2024 15:59

BeyondMyWits · 31/07/2024 15:37

I hate the thought of a like/dislike/love/hate/angry etc... it stops discussion. People get lazy and don't respond to posts other than by clicking a button. Has made some forums more of an echo chamber ... all for the likes.

I use the 'thanks' button as a 'like' button and still take part in the discussion. You might as well disable voting in YABU based on that rationale.

And I think that certain sections of MN are an echo chamber, it isn't exclusive to the ability to like/dislike something. Same with 'other forums'.

Shineabrightlight · 31/07/2024 15:48

Yes I think the thanks button is a good idea.
I wouldn't like a visible like/ dislike button because I think that has the ability to sway opinion - people jumping on band wagons. And also its more likely some will just use the button rather than post a contribution to the thread themselves.

bfsham · 31/07/2024 15:37

I like the 'thanks' button too.

BeyondMyWits · 31/07/2024 15:37

I hate the thought of a like/dislike/love/hate/angry etc... it stops discussion. People get lazy and don't respond to posts other than by clicking a button. Has made some forums more of an echo chamber ... all for the likes.

Normallynumb · 31/07/2024 15:36

I like it, I'd like to think my comments are relevant and may help someone.

PetrichorSoul · 31/07/2024 15:36

I use it as a like button.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 31/07/2024 15:36

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/07/2024 15:33

It's so the poster gets their little dopamine hit while not turning this place into a popularity contest. Very well played MNHQ.

Yeah, I can see the logic in that.

But I still want a "shame" button so that I can express my digust! Privately or otherwise!!

GrandHighPoohbah · 31/07/2024 15:35

I use it as a like button. Sometimes I don't want to get involved in a bunfight, but I want the poster to know i agree with them, so use it for that.

MrsTerryPratchett · 31/07/2024 15:33

It's so the poster gets their little dopamine hit while not turning this place into a popularity contest. Very well played MNHQ.

Original poster
idontwannabeanythingotherthanwhativebeentrynabe · 31/07/2024 15:32

Bignanna · 31/07/2024 15:21

I think there needs to be a range of responses to choose from like in most other forums- like, agree, sad, anger, wow etc, The thanks option is very limited.

This is also good idea.

I actually like to know what other’s think about comments.
So, if someone says something not so nice for example, I find it a relief to see if other’s disagree and don’t support those views.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 31/07/2024 15:32

It's not Facebook. Next it'll be profile pictures and tickers. We don't need to go backwards.

Yamadori · 31/07/2024 15:31

I often post on the gardening threads, and it is nice to receive a 'thanks' from someone you've been able to help in some small way.

Apileofballyhoo · 31/07/2024 15:30

I don't mind it being hidden from other posters. But sometimes a thanks is a bit strange if it's just that I agree with the post.

TeenToTwenties · 31/07/2024 15:30

I use it to thank for a helpful comment where thanking disrupts the flow of the thread. Normally when the thread isn't mine.

EG94 · 31/07/2024 15:30

I like the function, it’s a “you’re a fucking legend with that comment” button 😂

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