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Being able to not read posts by a certain poster

41 replies

socialdilemmawhattodo · 10/12/2025 14:30

Hi Mumsnet

I'm on a thread at the moment that, in my opinion, is being derailed by one poster, I would love the facility on here to be able to skip all posts by that poster as they contain little or nothing of interest to me at the moment. I am skipping manually and that slows down my reading of interesting posts on that thread by other posters. Any thoughts if this could be done? Thank you.

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Bambamhoohoo · 11/12/2025 17:25

EmeraldRoulette · 11/12/2025 15:42

@YouMightLikeCats "I wouldn't have that choice if they were removed/ hidden"

but they're not being removed for you

If I block/ignore someone, using a mechanism embedded on a forum, then their posts are hidden from me, because I have blocked them.

They're not hidden from you.

I don't know why it bugs me so much that people don't understand this. 😂 I guess it's because I'm used to it being a norm. I've never posted on a forum where it wasn't enabled - until I joined this one.

Edited

I don’t get why people don’t understand it either

EmeraldRoulette · 11/12/2025 15:42

YouMightLikeCats · 11/12/2025 14:19

This is my objection. We'd potentially all be reading different combinations of posts - that's not a discussion, it's shouting into the wind!

You can scroll past certain posters' posts (I do) but if something raised in them gets discussed I can see what people are talking about if I choose. I wouldn't have that choice if they were removed/ hidden.

@YouMightLikeCats "I wouldn't have that choice if they were removed/ hidden"

but they're not being removed for you

If I block/ignore someone, using a mechanism embedded on a forum, then their posts are hidden from me, because I have blocked them.

They're not hidden from you.

I don't know why it bugs me so much that people don't understand this. 😂 I guess it's because I'm used to it being a norm. I've never posted on a forum where it wasn't enabled - until I joined this one.

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 14:39

YouMightLikeCats · 11/12/2025 14:34

Yes, you'd either have to just block that one username (at least now they can't change it mid-thread to get around it, but they could just change it on every other thread they go on) or get rid of the name-change function entirely which I think most posters would be up in arms about.

I'd stop posting here if the name change feature was removed.

(See the many previous threads on "can we block a poster" for why this - i.e. blocking an entire account for all variations of their username - would be used very easily to out the usernames of a single account).

I'd stop posting here if the name change feature was removed.

(See the many previous threads on "can we block a poster" for why this - i.e. blocking an entire account for all variations of their username - would be used very easily to out the usernames of a single account).

Completely agree.

Yes the nc feature is mumsnet's USP. Probably why many of us keep coming back. If it comes down to choosing between one or the other, I'd rather have the nc than block feature.

YouMightLikeCats · 11/12/2025 14:34

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 14:28

It's odd why mnhq and some posters are seeing this as something so complicated when it's the same thing that works on most social media sites. It's one thing to not want to do it, which is fair enough, but another thing to make it seem like such a huge feat and so difficult to navigate.

On a regular thread/social media, we don't pay attention to every single poster or replies to and fro between posters. You often couldn't tell who posted what as you're scrolling through unless a particular post catches your attention. Who you block doesn't affect any other person on a thread but you. Same as who others block only affects the blocker.

That said, I agree with a pp that this could be difficult because of the namechange feature. The complication for mnhq tech could be in making it so you can only block specific usernames but not block their whole accounts (and their other usernames).

Yes, you'd either have to just block that one username (at least now they can't change it mid-thread to get around it, but they could just change it on every other thread they go on) or get rid of the name-change function entirely which I think most posters would be up in arms about.

I'd stop posting here if the name change feature was removed.

(See the many previous threads on "can we block a poster" for why this - i.e. blocking an entire account for all variations of their username - would be used very easily to out the usernames of a single account).

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 14:28

It's odd why mnhq and some posters are seeing this as something so complicated when it's the same thing that works on most social media sites. It's one thing to not want to do it, which is fair enough, but another thing to make it seem like such a huge feat and so difficult to navigate.

On a regular thread/social media, we don't pay attention to every single poster or replies to and fro between posters. You often couldn't tell who posted what as you're scrolling through unless a particular post catches your attention. Who you block doesn't affect any other person on a thread but you. Same as who others block only affects the blocker.

That said, I agree with a pp that this could be difficult because of the namechange feature. The complication for mnhq tech could be in making it so you can only block specific usernames but not block their whole accounts (and their other usernames).

HornyHornersPinkyWinky · 11/12/2025 14:19

What about those who quote the blocked person and respond directly to them?

Would that quoted text also be blocked?

Surely that would make certain threads unreadable as responses wouldn’t make sense.

YouMightLikeCats · 11/12/2025 14:19

AstaEscapes · 11/12/2025 13:02

So … let me get this straight;

You, @socialdilemmawhattodo block Zebedee’s posts from being seen by you on any thread you’re on?

But Zebedee’s posts will still be seen by other posters on that thread?

And other posters can reply/respond to Zebedee’s posts on that thread?

While at the same time each of those posters might have blocked seeing someone else’s posts?

So in a single thread we would all be reading and responding to only a portion of posts?

That would be incomprehensible bedlam. And not something I’d be interested in pursuing.

This is my objection. We'd potentially all be reading different combinations of posts - that's not a discussion, it's shouting into the wind!

You can scroll past certain posters' posts (I do) but if something raised in them gets discussed I can see what people are talking about if I choose. I wouldn't have that choice if they were removed/ hidden.

EmeraldRoulette · 11/12/2025 14:09

@AstaEscapes "That would be incomprehensible bedlam. And not something I’d be interested in pursuing"

no, it would be exactly the same as if some posters aren't engaging with other posters now

We don't all engage with every single reply on the thread.

Bambamhoohoo · 11/12/2025 13:36

AstaEscapes · 11/12/2025 13:02

So … let me get this straight;

You, @socialdilemmawhattodo block Zebedee’s posts from being seen by you on any thread you’re on?

But Zebedee’s posts will still be seen by other posters on that thread?

And other posters can reply/respond to Zebedee’s posts on that thread?

While at the same time each of those posters might have blocked seeing someone else’s posts?

So in a single thread we would all be reading and responding to only a portion of posts?

That would be incomprehensible bedlam. And not something I’d be interested in pursuing.

It’s very common on forums, they manage! MN just don’t want to or can’t.

AstaEscapes · 11/12/2025 13:02

So … let me get this straight;

You, @socialdilemmawhattodo block Zebedee’s posts from being seen by you on any thread you’re on?

But Zebedee’s posts will still be seen by other posters on that thread?

And other posters can reply/respond to Zebedee’s posts on that thread?

While at the same time each of those posters might have blocked seeing someone else’s posts?

So in a single thread we would all be reading and responding to only a portion of posts?

That would be incomprehensible bedlam. And not something I’d be interested in pursuing.

BeckyAMumsnet · 11/12/2025 12:42

Thanks for the suggestion. We understand why a skip poster feature might seem appealing. The challenge is that threads are often a back-and-forth conversation so removing one poster’s contributions could make the discussion harder to follow, as replies and context might disappear or seem disconnected.

If you think a poster is behaving poorly, please report your concerns to us.

We really appreciate the feedback, though, and it’s always useful for thinking about ways to improve your experience on the boards.

EmeraldRoulette · 11/12/2025 01:02

GCAcademic · 10/12/2025 23:32

I don't see what's baffling. I don't want to read replies from people who are deliberately missing chunks of the conversation.

It would be like being in a real-life conversation with someone who sticks their fingers in their ears at regular intervals.

It's entirely possible you already are doing this

So for example, I think we mostly see each other on FWR, if someone is derailing or sealioning, I will ignore them. It doesn't have any effect on your participation on the thread.

To use an example that's not from there, it's a bit like if someone starts a thread about George Michael, and a poster keeps coming on and saying "what about Paul Young?" if I ignore that poster and keep discussing George Michael's music, me ignoring the poster - and having a button so I don't see their posts - wouldn't affect you in any way.

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:37

Beerlzebub · 11/12/2025 00:27

And that's on a forum? Like this? With set threads?

Am I asking too many questions? 😄

Yes it is. Very active too. Threads, posts, trending threads, different topics/boards, etc - Your regular chat forum. Unfortunately there's no namechange feature. Can't have it all, eh?

I can't post the name here as I don't think it will be allowed on this thread.

Beerlzebub · 11/12/2025 00:27

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:19

That's correct. They can’t see any activity from you and you can't see theirs. @Beerlzebub

Edited

And that's on a forum? Like this? With set threads?

Am I asking too many questions? 😄

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:19

That's correct. They can’t see any activity from you and you can't see theirs. @Beerlzebub

Calliopespa · 11/12/2025 00:19

elfendom1 · 10/12/2025 22:48

I think a few of those threads were written by the same OP under different names. The argumentative style and phrasing is just so similar. One of these threads has the OP posting 180 times.

Edited

Was that the family set up thread?

I agree with other comments here (and just this week have several times mentioned it on threads) that posters are getting so snappy and sometimes actually offensive. Is it something in the water or just lack of summer sunshine? It's like everyone has horrific PMT at once ... that has lasted several weeks ...

Beerlzebub · 11/12/2025 00:18

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:17

It is. The forum's block feature works the same as facebook (used this for example), tiktok, etc block feature. A 2 way block, not one way like some forums.

So they can't see if you've posted a thread?

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:17

It is. The forum's block feature works the same as facebook (used this for example), tiktok, etc block feature. A 2 way block, not one way like some forums.

Beerlzebub · 11/12/2025 00:14

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:13

No it just works like every other main site (facebook, etc). You can block them, they won't see you or your threads/posts and you won't see them/theirs.

I specified 2way because some sites' blocking feature is one sided - where you can't see them but they can still see you. Defeats the purpose, imo.

So it's not a forum?

DifferentRoads · 11/12/2025 00:13

Beerlzebub · 10/12/2025 23:32

(2way block, like on another forum I'm on)

So you can block yourself from seeing the poster, but also block them from replying to your thread?

What forum software is that forum using? Because that seems quite unusual, for an actual forum. Not something that's some kind of Twitter clone.

No it just works like every other main site (facebook, etc). You can block them, they won't see you or your threads/posts and you won't see them/theirs.

I specified 2way because some sites' blocking feature is one sided - where you can't see them but they can still see you. Defeats the purpose, imo.

GCAcademic · 10/12/2025 23:32

EmeraldRoulette · 10/12/2025 23:18

Baffled by this

It wouldn't make a difference to anyone else reading the thread.

I don't see what's baffling. I don't want to read replies from people who are deliberately missing chunks of the conversation.

It would be like being in a real-life conversation with someone who sticks their fingers in their ears at regular intervals.

Beerlzebub · 10/12/2025 23:32

DifferentRoads · 10/12/2025 19:51

I agree with blocking posters.

Been off mn for a short while. I made a thread that was totally derailed by a handful of posters who were basically hounding me and not letting other posters get a word in. In the end, I had to abandon the thread as it was pointless trying to keep to the topic. If i was able to block those posters (2way block, like on another forum I'm on), I believe it would have made the thread a quieter place and the few posters who wanted to stay on topic would have had an easier time contributing to the thread.

Every forum has its good and bad and I believe the block feature really helps keep people sane in this online world. That experience has really put me off and I don’t see myself spending much time here now unless I become extremely bored.

(2way block, like on another forum I'm on)

So you can block yourself from seeing the poster, but also block them from replying to your thread?

What forum software is that forum using? Because that seems quite unusual, for an actual forum. Not something that's some kind of Twitter clone.

EmeraldRoulette · 10/12/2025 23:18

GCAcademic · 10/12/2025 22:50

I would be happy with this as long as those who have blocked posters on the thread aren’t able to post on it themselves. Otherwise they will end up being far more annoying than the people they’ve blocked.

Baffled by this

It wouldn't make a difference to anyone else reading the thread.

DifferentRoads · 10/12/2025 23:04

IBorAlevels · 10/12/2025 17:40

I agree, they are thread vampires and end up making them impossible to bother with. Also I suspect a large number are "Carols" (ref to a pulled thread last week) so it would be nice to just avoid all the distracting BS.

Edited

What's a Carol?

Agreed. Thread vampire is so apt.

GCAcademic · 10/12/2025 22:50

I would be happy with this as long as those who have blocked posters on the thread aren’t able to post on it themselves. Otherwise they will end up being far more annoying than the people they’ve blocked.