AIBU in suspecting that MN start threads to increase site traffic

[Newbutoldfather]

When I first looked at MN, the best part of 20 years ago, the popular threads were on parenting, health, FWR and a couple of others. And there were loads of posters!

Now there seem to be fewer posters and the ‘normal’ type threads that were the stock-in-trade of MN seem to get little traction. I think AI has had a role here. Many of those questions are well answered by an AI query.

OTOH, there are a lot of ‘exciting’ threads started where the OP contributes relatively little for a few hours and then disappears, and they keep going until often full. Sometimes they are deleted later. There are at least two that I contributed to early now which are still going.

Of course there are loads of genuine trolls (if that isn’t a contradiction in terms!) but it’s also great for MN, increases the value of advertising and, if the site is for sale, will increase the value.

Of course, maybe they are all trolls, but Occam’s razor kind of says that it wouldn’t be hard for employees of MN to quietly and anonymously start these threads which are very helpful for the site.

Of course we can never know the answer, but it is odd.

Possibly the odd zombie thread booster. I doubt they start threads, as in big organisations there is always a whistleblower.
It wouldn’t be worth the consequences.

What exactly is troll hunting? I’ve never quite figured this out.

Remember the intern who put screenshots of email addresses on Twitter or something? Emma Healey? Apparently she works for the civil service now. I just went down a mini rabbit hole while googling if the site was sold, and that’s one thing I found.

It doesn't need any figuring out, it just means you post on the thread that you don't believe the thread is genuine

Oh, I thought it was some clever method. 🤷‍♀️

As you were.

I don’t mind a troll thread if it’s funny because there are often funny replies.

But there are really odd ones like the one obsessed with short cycling shorts!

These days they are probably AI generated rather than by actual humans. Pretty sure the owner admitted they made threads up to begin with to drive traffic.

Some days it's really obvious, you can play Mumsnet bingo with spotting the threads that always drive traffic, (hating dogs, hating cats, hating trans people, SAHMs, inheritance, openly being 'the other woman', anti-MIL, anti-stepkids, I'm rich but feel poor). One day there was one of each of these, one after another posted within the space of about 15 minutes.

I guess the argument is that it's entertainment. Why do they have to be real?

I suspect that AI is involved...👀

This is what I was going to say. She was very open about it

OP the things you mention does pop up as a theory every now and then

Omg your experience is so similar to mine on here. In the past its effected me quite badly. Its gone on for years.. the thing is if you point that out people's replys are if your struggling that much get of the Internet. The drip feeding thing is just an excuse for people to have a go. Sometimes op may not realise it was realivent. Or a post jogs your memory. Its like people forget theres a person behinde the words either that or they don't care. I could go on for ages. I do understand how you feel though. 💐

Definitely. It’s so transparent. I’ve thought it for ages.

Ive felt the replies are much harsher and less patient recently. I was on loads when my DS was a baby and come back again recently and so many replies are just so sharp! I asked a question about people's experiences with this thing Vs a cheaper version for DH and the first poster just snapped at me to Google it. I didn't want to Google, I wanted to see what folk who were using felt about the options.

Oh i would have about 6 replies deleted all posted by different people a few mins apart. It was just very basic like have you tried making a list. Or similar. I guess it could still be that person.

And if we google everything surely MNs ceases to exist?

Or just ‘nothing’ threads…like the current one about the roast dinner…

Exactly! And its not like people don't know Google is an option.....

Totally agree. The lack of self awareness from some people is amazing. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but you’d hope people would consider whether a potential post makes them look a bit dim or not. It’s pretty much “I couldn’t think of a decent reply, so I asked a computer what it thought instead. Here’s its reply OP”

I would say the majority in AIBU or Chat are made up, purely for traffic.

I have thought for quite a long time that MN are creating threads to increase traffic. MN has certainly changed over the last 6 months - More and more AI generated long posts where the OP doesn't return and repeated themes like 'I was vile to someone in the supermarket car park..yes you were crazy vile just like the person on the other thread who called someone a c**t in the fruit and veg'..then you get the fear mongering- apparently Birmingham is no longer a safe place to go to Uni ..and all the political trolls..day after day, same names..spreading fear and discontent. Often the anger is off the charts...not to mention the poorly moderated porn in the early hours. Its a very odd place which still pretends to be a parenting site.

It does seem a bit different I've been on here for probably 20 years or more. I haven't posted for a while until recently and I noticed that things seem to be different here

One thing that was popular that I haven't seen lately is for daily fail for one of those rags to take stories from here for their own articles I don't know if they still do that or they they just use AI to make up their own stories now

After 15+ years visiting these forums, I'd guess 80-90% of threads are bullshit. Higher bullshit level on AIBU.

Trolls, attention seekers, mentally unwell, AI, creative writers, perverts.

As long as you use the forums for light entertainment and don't over-invest (or fall for a begging thread!) then I wonder if it matters, really.

The few incredibly funny, witty posters make it worth it.

Let’s be fair though - when I first joined 20 odd years ago posters then were moaning then that this place wasn’t what it used to be and how it was over run with trolls, perverts and scammers!

IIRC, it was requested a number of years back following some insightful threads started by various posters.

< disclaimer: haven’t seen what it’s blossomed into in recent years >

I've posted quite a number of real threads over the years (in various names) although I do always change any identifiable facts.
MN has helped me through some tough times

Agree there is an awful lot of nonsense too though

I think what you are seeing is just a product of the MN having gained in popularity and a wider number and variety of people are using the site. Of course that will change the nature of posts and threads.

As someone who has started threads and been reported ( by many MNetters) for having made it up ( it was all true) and having been accused repeatedly in other threads of being an AI bot, I can assure that MNetters love throwing these accusations around wildly and freely to real people.