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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dear Haters

263 replies

Buttonitboris · 03/11/2020 21:48

Is it just me or are other Mumsnetters being bombarded with ads, on this site, from the Scottish Government entitled 'Dear Haters' followed by we won't stand for transphobia, race hate crimes etc. I am unreasonable in finding it deeply offensive to be addressed as Dear Hater and do Mumsnet HQ feel it appropriate that users are addressed in this way?

Are these ads appearing elsewhere or is this an attempt by the Scottish Government to shut down debate on this site regarding trans/women's rights?

OP posts:
GlacindaTheTroll · 03/11/2020 21:59

Whereabouts on the page?

Most ads are served up to you based on your browsing habits (or what Antoine else using your device looks at)

I've not seen the ad you mention

Original poster
Buttonitboris · 03/11/2020 22:02

Glacinda, I browse Mumsnet and now the Scottish Government have branded me a 'Hater'

OP posts:
WinWinnieTheWay · 03/11/2020 22:05

I've not experienced this yet, but I don't doubt what you're experiencing.

Original poster
Buttonitboris · 03/11/2020 22:05

Other sites I browse include BBC News, the Guardian and the village school website, and amazon, none a hotbed of hatred.

OP posts:
SpeccyLime · 03/11/2020 22:06

If you aren’t transphobic / sexist / racist / ableist etc then it’s not aimed at you, is it?

FamilyOfAliens · 03/11/2020 22:08

@SpeccyLime

If you aren’t transphobic / sexist / racist / ableist etc then it’s not aimed at you, is it?
Ah, bless your naivety.
GlacindaTheTroll · 03/11/2020 22:09

You've never looked at any other site from any device from which you've accessed MN? Are you sure no-one else has?

Whereabouts on the page is the ad appearing?

Original poster
Buttonitboris · 03/11/2020 22:10

Other sites I browse include BBC News, the Guardian and the village school website, and amazon, none a hotbed of hatred.

OP posts:
GlacindaTheTroll · 03/11/2020 22:12

Whereabouts on the page is the ad appearing?

Also, what stories do you select from the pages you visit? Did you turn off all the cookies (including saying no to legitimate interest)?

Because if you choose news stories about equalities issues, you'll get served up ads on same theme. This is very normal practice, and it's not because you come on MN. It's because MN uses providers who personalise ads based on the types of material you look at anywhere online.

TrojanWhore · 03/11/2020 22:21

You don't seem to be the only person who does like their ad choices ads today:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/4069212--Most-Britons-have-bad-breath

Original poster
Buttonitboris · 03/11/2020 22:22

Speccy, its appearing repeatedly on my page 'Dear Hater' Who else is it addressed to? If it came through my letter box I would similarly assume it was directed at me!

OP posts:
GlacindaTheTroll · 03/11/2020 22:23

Whereabouts on the page is the ad appearing?

Also, what stories do you select from the pages you visit? Did you turn off all the cookies (including saying no to legitimate interest)?

Because if you choose news stories about equalities issues, you'll get served up ads on same theme. This is very normal practice, and it's not because you come on MN. It's because MN uses providers who personalise ads based on the types of material you look at anywhere online.

michelle1504 · 03/11/2020 22:25

@buttonitboris are you able to take a screenshot and post it?

DinosApple · 03/11/2020 22:27

I misread your title as Dear Hatters!

No, my ads are boring like my browsing history. Holidays to the Isle of Man, snow boots and carpet fitting... But I just had to scroll back to find them so I don't think they are very effective!

Firsttimecatlady · 03/11/2020 22:42

@GlacindaTheTroll

Whereabouts on the page is the ad appearing?

Also, what stories do you select from the pages you visit? Did you turn off all the cookies (including saying no to legitimate interest)?

Because if you choose news stories about equalities issues, you'll get served up ads on same theme. This is very normal practice, and it's not because you come on MN. It's because MN uses providers who personalise ads based on the types of material you look at anywhere online.

This!

This is programmatic advertising- it’s hyper targeted, based on tonnes of factors; who you are, your behaviours on line but also off line, for example - where you’ve been whilst carrying your mobile (if you’ve been picked up in the vicinity of the location of a certain billboard for example, you mind find later that you’ll get served a digital ad on your mobile, or laptop...). and many many other factors beyond. Ads are even served based on key words in some of your messaging and email providers. It is just the world of advertising these days, and the price we pay for the convenience of also being served ads that we actually find valuable.

And it’s literally nothing to do with mumsnet. The way it works is like there’s an empty ‘hole’ in the screen- many different ad companies bid to be able to show their ad in that ‘hole’, to try and reach you. Highest bigger wins.

It can make you feel icky, for sure, but it’s just how the world of adverting works these days.

Original poster
Buttonitboris · 03/11/2020 22:51

Yes Glacinda, it's true I do read all the news stories on equality issues. I don't think this is any reason for the Scottish Government to address me as 'Dear Hater'

OP posts:
ViciousJackdaw · 04/11/2020 00:01

Buttonit I'm really concerned that you believe the Scottish government are targeting you. You might not know this but when an advertising agency creates an ad, they are intended for the wider population, not just for one person who may or may not be looking.
In this instance, the target audience is 'haters', hence the words 'Dear Haters'.

Are you a 'hater'? If you aren't then you can reasonably assume that you are not part of the intended target audience. Just as I would do if I saw an ad that read 'Dear Mothers' or 'Dear Arsenal supporters'.

Can I ask, are you having any other unusual thoughts at all? If you are then I strongly suggest you contact your GP in the morning - it must be really exhausting and worrying to have such thoughts playing on your mind and the doctors can help you banish them.

letsghostdance · 04/11/2020 07:31

You sound paranoid and also have a complete lack of understanding of what the advert is actually trying to say.

Hoolieanna · 04/11/2020 07:42

I’ve been getting those ads too and really don’t like them. It’s horrible to be addressed as ‘dear hater’.

The ads have always made be feel uncomfortable- they’ve on billboards and phone boxes too I think but it feels more personal or threatening even when they appear on your screen. Even though I know I’m not any of those things.

NotTerfNorCis · 04/11/2020 07:45

Ads can reflect what you've been browsing. I bought a ladder the other day, then was pursued around the internet with adverts for ladders. Too late!

Hoolieanna · 04/11/2020 07:46

The new hate crime legislation that the Scottish Government are proposing is terrifying. There was an article in the Times yesterday highlighting that if your teenager repeats something in the playground that you’ve said at home - that’s deemed to be transphobic, you will be prosecuted. I wish I was exaggerating.

MiddlesexGirl · 04/11/2020 07:48

I've had some of those adverts too. I don't feel targeted. But I do think the SNP needs to (a) re-educate itself and (b) get a new campaigns team - I can't think that these adverts have any chance at all of reducing genuine 'hate'.

slipperywhensparticus · 04/11/2020 07:49

@SpeccyLime

If you aren’t transphobic / sexist / racist / ableist etc then it’s not aimed at you, is it?
Define transphobia?
flaviaritt · 04/11/2020 07:51

Not me, but I don’t think that is an appropriate way for a government body to address voters. At all. I’m glad I’m not Scottish.

Harmarsuperstar · 04/11/2020 07:52

Yy apart from anything else, are the Scottish government Kim Kardashian? Wtf, haters ?!