MN have used my quote to promote a product I’ve never bought 🤔

[Wondermoomin]

AIBU to expect MN recommendations, where they quote a poster/member, to be genuine?

I like being able to rely on recommendations in MN swears by and other emails. I excitedly opened an email with the subject “Big bargains for our most loyal Mumsnetters” wondering what MN could make me buy this time (I should probably get other hobbies).

Imagine my surprise to see my own username quoted there with a recommendation! Imagine my further surprise when I realised it was a post I wrote almost 8 years ago, and it was being used directly under a specific product to give the impression I was recommending it - and I’ve never even owned that particular thing mine was more expensive.

I don’t like posts being misrepresented as a recommendation for a specific product. It makes me question the credibility of other MN recommendations.

Hoping I’ll manage to attach screenshots.

PS my gazebo broke but I’ve replaced it. Still not with the brand I supposedly recommended according to the MN email.

Probably time to stop using generic quotes and look for someone to give a genuine quote about the actual product. I hope you can see how disingenuous it has appeared, with all these examples people have shared.

I imagine the answer is yes.

Have you watched The Social Dilemma?

If you're using the service for free (MN) YOU are the product.

Do you think this server runs itself for free? That MN is a charity?

How much do you think it costs to run MN?

Have you ever looked up their accounts?

I have.

I've also tried to run a business and I can tell you, it's not easy at all.

Under a pop up gazebo maybe?

A recommended one no less.

Ooh yes. Let's ask @Wondermoomin for a recommendation 🤔😄

Do you think this server runs itself for free? That MN is a charity?

No one thinks they are a charity we're all very aware they make a lot of money, but let's not pretend that MNHQ aren't very good at portraying themselves as a tiny organisation who just needs to keep the lights on when the need arises.

All I'm asking for is a simple answer with no technically, maybe, in this circumstance etc waffle attached.

If you knew anything about product affiliate links you'd know straight away that most of the links earn a commission. I can see it by looking at every link.

Is everyone sleeping under a rock?

How do you think MN continues to run? Where do you think their money comes from?

To me it was obvious from day one when the emails started coming out. I'm stunned at the shocked response on here. Part of me was a bit disappointed when they started coming out but part of me understood a company has to move with the times. Eat or get eaten.

How do you think Google, Facebook, Instagram and X earn money? And influencers?

Did you think that MN was going to leave that piece of the pie on the table?

I'm just stunned at the naivety of people. Of course they generate affiliate commission.

If you're upset about it, don't use the site. Cancel your account. But where else can you get what you get here?

As I've said before, MN is a small company, earning well under £10m a year. They provide a valuable safe space for women across the UK and in other countries to discuss a boatload of stuff that you can't find anywhere else. And for that they get paid.

Get a grip everyone.

Who’s to say people aren’t sat in the sun enjoying themselves while also posting on here? Exactly like you’re doing.🙄

Go to companies house and look it up then.

It's not a big company. It's a weener. Give them a break.

😂 😂 😂

No one is surprised at them earning money from affiliates. That’s fine. What people are understandably annoyed bout is doing so in a way that breaches advertising regulations.

yes make the money, fine, but do it within the rules and don’t lie to people.

I’m not condoning the use of quotes that don’t align to the product, but purely from an affiliate link perspective, I can’t blame them for that part. They can’t really win, people don’t want to pay a subscription, but they also complain about viewing ads, and they don’t like affiliate links. I’m not quite sure how they expect MN to run without an income?

Advertising standards apply to all sizes of business, there’s no exemption because you’re small

You don't get to not follow the rules just because some other companies are bigger than you. 🤔

Argh! People are not complaining about MN making money. People are complaining about false advertising.

How passive aggressive of you Mumsnet. This is really not a good look.

I'd say 90% or more of each email's content look like affiliate links. But with the majority of the emails containing links to Amazon, how could they not be?

Again, I thought it was obvious. M&S, Next etc, they've all got affiliate programs. Of course MN is creaming off something every week...

But it's true that the affiliate code expires so if you use the email link later, they won't get anything. So yes, 'sometimes' they won't get anything.

Has @JustineMumsnetleft the chat?

@JustineMumsnet ,

one of the things I enjoy about your site is how well educated your posters are; on most threads there are genuine experts in their fields.

But you are being hoisted by your own petard on this thread. Wishy washy and internally contradictory explanations are being exposed.

The key question is that, if this really is just 1% of all ads, why have posters having a quick random look found so many of them? Statistically, that is highly unlikely, to put it mildly.

I'm not embarrassed but thanks for the vicarious hope...

I'm just more informed than you.