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MNHQ

A wee change in the rules re Blogposts on Talk

14 replies

JustineMumsnet · 24/04/2013 10:50

Hello, hello,
As you may know, Mumsnet has a thriving Bloggers Network, which happily, many Talk regulars are part of. (Join up now if you're not and you'd like to be!)

Until now, we have specifically asked members of our Bloggers Network not to post links to their blogs on Talk (outside the Bloggers Talk topic) but that does feel a bit mad given folks are linking out all the time to relevant sources and many blogposts are directly relevant to and will enhance the discussions taking place on the site. So this is a heads up that we're relaxing the rule a bit to let MN Bloggers link to their blogs where the subject matter is relevant.

Obviously relevancy is key - this doesn't mean we're going to allow a spam free for all and certainly we'll advise bloggers that this is a discussion forum - so posting a link and running is not ideal - and that blatant, relentless self-promotion isn't on.

Whilst everyone's getting the hang of it we'd ask for a little bit of give and take from all sides [pretty please] and, as ever, we're open to your thoughts and suggestions, so please do feel free to post any here.

Many thanks.

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MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 11:27

@LadyBeagleEyes

'blatant, relentless self promotion isn't on' I think this would open the floodgates for precisely this. How would you stop it?

We would delete it, LadyBeagleEyes.

We are asking our bloggers, most of whom aren't 'blatant, relentless self promoters', it has to be said, to be mindful of Talk 'etiquette'.

As Justine has said, spamming still ain't on. But if someone happens to have written a blogpost about something other MNers are discussing on a thread, we do think it's fine for them to join the discussion and link to their blogpost on that thread when they do.

So, say there's a thread about the role of nurses today...

If a blogger comes on and posts a link to their blogpost about growing carrots, we'd delete it (when reported) as it's clearly not relevant.

If a blogger comes on and posts a link to their blogpost about nurses without any attempt to join the discussion (ie their entire post is just a link), we'd be having a quiet word with them (at the very least) and suggesting that it'd be much better all round if they engaged properly with the discussion or folks will think they're just pimping their blog.

If a blogger comes on and posts a link to their blogpost about nurses as part of a post that's clearly engaging in, and adding to, the discussion, then that's fine and dandy.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 11:28

@TravelinColour

Maybe a rule that threads can't be started with a link to a blog except in the bloggers topic?

Yep. We have asked Bloggers not to start threads with a link to their blog - as, you're right, that could be misconstrued as spam.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 12:15

@WillieWaggledagger

how would we know whether bloggers were part of the MN network? or is it ok for someone who isn't part of the MN network to post a relevant link if they are contributing to the discussion in the same way?

for blatant self-promotion it's easy to report and it gets dealt with pretty quickly.

Yes, it would be fine for someone who isn't part of the MN network to post a relevant link if they are contributing to the discussion - although, obviously, we would MUCH prefer all good bloggers to be in the MN Bloggers Network Wink

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 17:45

@LadyBeagleEyes

I don't have a blog either Hully Sad As long as we're not linked to yummymummy blogs which give whole details of their BF/BTW/attached parenting/perfect life in a naice middle class part of London type blogs (of which there are many, believe me I've seen them) and badly written too it's fine. I'm not saying they're all like that, but it is something to think about. I'll wait and see.

But they'd be perfectly fine on a naice middle class part of London type thread, obvs Wink

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 17:56

@BIWI

Well, shall I be the first?

Ahem. Lovely blog but you should be posting the link on a thread about running/handwarmers/park birds of Britain, me dear. Smile

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 18:02

@BIWI

Grin

I know there are a lot of threads on Mumsnet, Helen, but I think a handwarmer section is probably pushing it ...

Grin

(There probably is one somewhere - among the cobwebs in Other Stuff)

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 18:15

@Hullygully

BUT...what if there was a thread about handwarmers and bloggers dashed off a quick para about it on their blog and then linked?

Hmmmmm?

That would be fine - if handwarmers really were what the blogpost was about, rather than, say, keeping rabbits - with a quick line about handwarmers thrown in.

But otherwise, a blogger's quickly dashed thoughts, politely and engagingly posted, are just as welcome as any other Talk regular's quickly dashed thoughts...

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 24/04/2013 18:23

@Hullygully

"engagingly"?

A minefield

Nah, we have faith in MN Bloggers' huge reserve of engaging-ness.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 26/04/2013 18:31

@agreenmouse

Just to clarify, if I post something with a link to my blog on a relevant thread in Talk, am I supposed to make clear that the blog is on Mumsnet and that I am the blogger, or is that not required?

It's not required agreenmouse but it's probably a good idea. We are thinking about whether there might be an auto way of showing that you're a member of MN bloggers network when you post on talk...

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 28/04/2013 22:31

@olgaga

So Justine, while you're here, why hasn't MNHQ responded to my request to include my advice and links blog in the MN Bloggers Network? I made two requests, the first on 7 December 2012, and I was told you'd been "inundated".

To the second request on 9 January 2013 I got no response at all!

I don't know the answer to that Olgaga but I will wave this in front of Kate and the Bloggers Network team.

MNHQ

HelenMumsnet · 29/04/2013 10:06

@Trill

My blog is in my real name. I have so far never linked it using my "known" MN name (if I can be so smug as to claim that I am "known").

Will I get told off for sockpuppeting if I post "here's a blog that I wrote about this subject that might be useful" under one name, then switch back to Trills to carry on the conversation? Or should I stick to one name per conversation? I guess I should really.

Probably best to stick to one name per convo, Trills. Can you not just carry on the whole convo in your "blog" name instead?

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 29/04/2013 10:21

@newpencilcase

Justine - re: signalling you're a blogger.

I have a name I use connected to my blog, which I use in some (non-blog related) talk boards but also have another name which I use when I want to be anonymous.

I would like to be able to keep that option without it flagging up a Bloggers' badge b

Don't worry, newpencilcase - it would be an optional function that you'd have to 'switch on'.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 29/04/2013 10:23

@olgaga

I tried to join the bloggers network (twice) with my Survive Separation advice and links blog but MNHQ ignored me!

Yikes, Olgaga - we're looking into this and will email you shortly.

MNHQ

KateMumsnet · 02/05/2013 16:07

DD's bear is fine, Olgaga Grin

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