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Original poster

Why has the 'Report' button been hidden in the '3 dots' top right of each post/comment?

30 replies

ChristmasFluff · 26/09/2025 07:40

From recent comments and deletion messages by mods, MN appears to be trying to educate users on reporting posts and comments rather than troll-hunting, yet has made this more difficult by 'hiding' the means of reporting.

I would suggest that returning the 'report' button to the bottom of each post/comment, where it is easily seen would be more effective in encouraging reporting. Just seeing the 'report' option can act like a prompt.

Or is it easier to blame site users, whilst benefitting from the clickbait that trolls provide?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
C8H10N4O2 · 28/09/2025 10:57

Zov · 27/09/2025 16:33

Yep this. ^ It doesn't bother me at all that the Report button has moved to the '3 dots' on the top right of a post. Things change, websites evolve. I really can't see an issue with it. And as MN have said, it hasn't made any difference to the volume of reports.

Show quote history

I’m alright Jack?

Report buttons on pretty much every site are easily visible for a reason - its a primary function on most SM sites. How does a new user know to go hunting through the subsidiary options to report a post?
Hiding it in the subsidiary options also adds complexity for those with accessibility needs - its not even top of the list of subsidiary options making it more work to access with navigation software.

It simply makes more difficulties for users with access needs and from HQ own posts on this thread - it made zero difference to spurious reporting.

TillyButtonGrundy · 27/09/2025 17:30

Zov · 27/09/2025 16:33

Yep this. ^ It doesn't bother me at all that the Report button has moved to the '3 dots' on the top right of a post. Things change, websites evolve. I really can't see an issue with it. And as MN have said, it hasn't made any difference to the volume of reports.

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I wouldn’t have got it either if I hadn’t had to report child abuse images. Hopefully that won’t happen for a third time.

TheProfoundlyPeculiarPointOfPete · 27/09/2025 16:44

I realised the Report button had moved, but the point OP and others are making is that it's far less visible, you have to search for it, and newer users might not know that reporting is an option.

I appreciate the moves to make the site more intuitive but as OP says, this seems like a step back.

Hatty65 · 27/09/2025 16:37

Well it bothered me. I've had several posts I wanted to report - but the Report button had just vanished.

I didn't realise it was now 'hidden' in the three dots so I've simply not been able to report posts.

Zov · 27/09/2025 16:33

JJZ · 27/09/2025 13:32

I don’t get why users get so worked up about this stuff. It’s just a website. The option to report is still there.

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Yep this. ^ It doesn't bother me at all that the Report button has moved to the '3 dots' on the top right of a post. Things change, websites evolve. I really can't see an issue with it. And as MN have said, it hasn't made any difference to the volume of reports.

BIWI · 27/09/2025 13:34

If it doesn’t bother or interest you @JJZ then just scroll on by ...

JJZ · 27/09/2025 13:32

BIWI · 26/09/2025 15:37

But WHY did you put it there @Rebeccaatmumsnet?! MNHQ still haven’t answered that question.

And why is ‘add post’ still there, when it clearly doesn’t add anything - in fact (as @ButSheSaid says) it leads to confusion for many users.

I don’t get why users get so worked up about this stuff. It’s just a website. The option to report is still there.

TillyButtonGrundy · 27/09/2025 07:18

Under my prior user account I was one of the posters who saw the appalling child abuse images and reported them.

I’ve just reported a standard spam post and had to scroll back up to find the report button at the top of the post, and hunt for it in the hamburger menu.

I remember when reporting the abuse images that I clicked at the bottom of the post so I was able to do so without having to view the image again (as I scrolled it up to the top of the screen.) I also didn’t have to hunt around for the report option as it was clearly visible. It sounds really silly typing it I know, it’s hard to explain how much it mattered to not have to see the image again while reporting it. Just in case this feedback is relevant…

Original poster
ChristmasFluff · 26/09/2025 16:48

Rebeccaatmumsnet · 26/09/2025 15:14

Hey @ChristmasFluff,

We understand that anecdotally, you feel that there may be an increase in troll posts, but we can assure you that, looking at the data on the multiple metrics we're tracking, we can rule out this alternative explanation that you've mentioned. When releasing something like this, we build a picture using multiple metrics to get an overall view of the impact of a feature.

We will, though, continue to measure this impact across time to ensure the impact of this change is not detrimental to users on the site.

Show quote history

Whilst not wanting to labour the point, unless these metrics can identify a definitive number of troll posts, I'm not sure that my suspicion can be discounted?

If those metrics are able to identify troll posts, that really interesting because it would show a possibility for AI to detect trolls and relieve the burden on moderators.

OP posts:
MNHQ
Rebeccaatmumsnet · 26/09/2025 15:43

Hey @BIWI , thanks for getting in touch. We moved it out to see the impact on the number & quality of reports. We have now moved it back in because there was no impact on the number & quality of reports. We are continuing to measure the impact over time to ensure that we don't see any changes to our metrics.

Also, RE 'add post': We've got a project coming up that addresses this issue. I can get in touch nearer the time if you're interested in helping us test this? We completely agree, and this insight has been part of the data behind the upcoming project.

BIWI · 26/09/2025 15:37

But WHY did you put it there @Rebeccaatmumsnet?! MNHQ still haven’t answered that question.

And why is ‘add post’ still there, when it clearly doesn’t add anything - in fact (as @ButSheSaid says) it leads to confusion for many users.

MNHQ
Rebeccaatmumsnet · 26/09/2025 15:14

ChristmasFluff · 26/09/2025 14:49

The only problem is, a steady number of reports could mean that there's been no decrease in reporting because the number of troll posts has stayed the same.

Or it could mean that the number of troll posts has increased and the reports have not increased proportionately because the 'report' button is hidden.

If there is a feeling that troll hunting is increasing (which MN seems to feel is the case, telling users to 'learn the lesson' etc), maybe the latter is the truth? Anecdotally, the number of troll posts v genuine posts seems to me to be increasing.

Show quote history

Hey @ChristmasFluff,

We understand that anecdotally, you feel that there may be an increase in troll posts, but we can assure you that, looking at the data on the multiple metrics we're tracking, we can rule out this alternative explanation that you've mentioned. When releasing something like this, we build a picture using multiple metrics to get an overall view of the impact of a feature.

We will, though, continue to measure this impact across time to ensure the impact of this change is not detrimental to users on the site.

ButSheSaid · 26/09/2025 15:04

BIWI · 26/09/2025 09:56

… and yet the totally unnecessary ‘add post’ button is still there.

I’ve also posted about this @ChristmasFluff but MNHQ have said that monitoring of the change hasn’t shown a decline in reports. But they’ll continue to monitor.

<eyeroll>

The Add Post button means loads of new users post replies that make no sense, doesn't quote or tag anyone, and threads end up a mess.

Irritates me.

C8H10N4O2 · 26/09/2025 14:57

JoMumsnet · 26/09/2025 10:59

Hi @ChristmasFluff thanks for asking about this. Moving the reports button was a data-based decision following no material change in the number of reports in testing. We're still monitoring the number of reports coming in and so far we've seen no change in the frequency or quality of reports, but we'll continue to track things.

“data-based decision” tells us precisely nothing about why the report button was moved.

Data on what? Presumably it was a “data-based decision” to hide the report button, what was the question being asked that the answer was “hide the report button and duplicate another link it its place”?

Were people complaining about the sight of a report button? Were they asking for a duplicate link in its place?

Original poster
ChristmasFluff · 26/09/2025 14:49

JoMumsnet · 26/09/2025 10:59

Hi @ChristmasFluff thanks for asking about this. Moving the reports button was a data-based decision following no material change in the number of reports in testing. We're still monitoring the number of reports coming in and so far we've seen no change in the frequency or quality of reports, but we'll continue to track things.

The only problem is, a steady number of reports could mean that there's been no decrease in reporting because the number of troll posts has stayed the same.

Or it could mean that the number of troll posts has increased and the reports have not increased proportionately because the 'report' button is hidden.

If there is a feeling that troll hunting is increasing (which MN seems to feel is the case, telling users to 'learn the lesson' etc), maybe the latter is the truth? Anecdotally, the number of troll posts v genuine posts seems to me to be increasing.

OP posts:
MeatballMenu · 26/09/2025 12:20

Thank you.

But why does the new button just link to links that are already visible?

MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 26/09/2025 11:57

@MeatballMenu we've just posted on the other thread but thought we'd confirm here as well - the Puzzles are still all here but can now be found under the 'More' drop down menu (to the left of the My Activity tab).

MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 26/09/2025 11:42

MeatballMenu · 26/09/2025 11:09

@JoMumsnet

Can somebody from MN also answer the other thread about where the puzzles have gone, and why there is now a "my activity" button to bring up the links that already exist at the top of the thread?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/5416834-cant-find-puzzles

Thank you

Edited

We're taking a look now Smile

MeatballMenu · 26/09/2025 11:09

@JoMumsnet

Can somebody from MN also answer the other thread about where the puzzles have gone, and why there is now a "my activity" button to bring up the links that already exist at the top of the thread?

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/site_stuff/5416834-cant-find-puzzles

Thank you

MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 26/09/2025 10:59

Hi @ChristmasFluff thanks for asking about this. Moving the reports button was a data-based decision following no material change in the number of reports in testing. We're still monitoring the number of reports coming in and so far we've seen no change in the frequency or quality of reports, but we'll continue to track things.

BeautifulNights · 26/09/2025 09:59

Or is it easier to blame site users, whilst benefitting from the clickbait that trolls provide?

It has to be this.

BIWI · 26/09/2025 09:56

… and yet the totally unnecessary ‘add post’ button is still there.

I’ve also posted about this @ChristmasFluff but MNHQ have said that monitoring of the change hasn’t shown a decline in reports. But they’ll continue to monitor.

<eyeroll>

MeatballMenu · 26/09/2025 08:54

MN have also hidden the "puzzles" button somewhere.

The yellow button now says "my activity".

If you click on it, you get the same list of options as the ones that are currently visible across the top (I'm watching, I'm on etc etc).

Reachedtheend · 26/09/2025 08:00

I totally agree with you OP.

The only reason that I can think of for hiding it is to deter users from actually reporting posts.

I don't understand why posters clicking on the button in error is being cited as a reason for removing the button. It was virtually impossible to submit a report in error given you then have to select the reason for the report and then click submit report. Inexplicable if this is being given as the excuse for hiding it.

Having the report button visible is vital to the safe functioning of the site.

RedRiverShore5 · 26/09/2025 07:49

I managed to click on the wrong post to report and I think it was because of the three dots at the top, I scrolled up too far, fortunately MN noticed I meant the post below and deleted the right one. I prefer the original way.

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