AIBU to ask how trending works at MUMSNET - how they decide which topics leap into the box we all click on on the right?

[loveyouradvice]

I'd rather foolishly assumed it was just an algorithm .... number of posts in the last 20 minutes, or whatever ... and that it would change in response to the number of people posting, with new topics popping in and out depending on traffic.

But I suspect it's not quite as simple as that ... @Mumsnet do let us know - how do you calculate and with what time frame and other factors??? Thanks

Bumping this as was interested in reply and it seems to have gone unanswered (expect people will tell you it should have gone in "site stuff"

I assumed it was to do with the number of views.

I do wish that if you hide a thread that it no longer shows in trending though, because you are still stuck with the same ones.

Yes this has interested me too. I’ve also got no idea how to delete a thread?

Hmmm... how do I encourage them to answer? Ill send a report I guess???

Wizardy, witchcraft...

No, we think you're right, it's an algorithm that refreshes threads based on their traffic within a specified timeframe. We're not the techy bods however, but we can ask them for you tomorrow if you'd like to know more?

Tillytrotter123, you can't delete your own threads, but if you report one to us, we can take a look for you.

Thank you!

Clara ... yes please! And thanks....

What confuses me is that some AIBU threads seem to "fall out" of trending quite fast... whereas others don't...

@Clara I think that's meant to be - sorry not got the hang of it yet!

I do wish that if you hide a thread that it no longer shows in trending though, because you are still stuck with the same ones

Yes! It's so annoying to see a catchy title in the trending section, but upon clicking on it, discover it's one that you've actually hidden because the content itself is so boring.

Hi there everyone,

We've had a quick chat with the tech bods. They said we use Google Analytics to determine which threads are and aren't in active - it's essentially the most viewed threads in a certain time span.

That's very interesting.

During periods I've thought we had lots of active political trolls/spammers (Russian or otherwise), I've sometimes wondered why certain threads that weren't getting lots of posts, were nonetheless getting high billing on trending.

It struck me that "Trending" was possibly being gamed to bump those threads.

I've sometimes wondered why certain threads that weren't getting lots of posts, were nonetheless getting high billing on trending.

Id wondered this too Perking!

So Anya, does it mean that it's all done automatically??? No one either putting in, or taking out threads because they do or don't like the content?

And great that it's done on most viewed, rather than most posted....

I thought it was Mumsnet hq picking the most interesting/debated topics of the day?/morning.. not that hard to believe I think, since it would only entail looking for the most views/ comments