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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Why is Mumsnet insisting that I log in?

402 replies

CrispEater · 17/08/2016 09:58

I spend quite a lot of time browsing Mumsnet on my Samsung tablet, not logged in. I rarely post anything but if I do, I do that on my PC because I can type quicker on a proper keyboard.
Just now I was in Mumsnet on the tablet and kept getting a pop-up that insists I should either log in or join. As far as I can see, there is no way of getting rid of this pop-up except by logging in or joining or giving up on Mumsnet. It looks very genuine to me.
I really can't be bothered to keep logging in when I only want to browse and I hate being forced into doing something I'd rather not do.
Is there some reason why Mumsnet now wants everyone logged in all the time? Or have I missed something?

OP posts:
SalemSaberhagen · 18/08/2016 12:46

Another one who isn't happy with it. I've just had it after following one of your (also annoying) clickbaity Facebook posts. I was on page 2.

Undies1990 · 18/08/2016 13:21

I've been a lurker for AGES and like to browse. I do not want to be forced to log in each time. Very disappointing and I will likely not bother with Mumsnet in future.

Ratley · 18/08/2016 13:25

I absolutely hate this, I don't want to log in, I don't want personalisation. I just want to browse and choose what I want to read.
My husband on the other hand loves it as it means I won't be looking on here and will watch TV with him in the evening instead.

dreamingon · 18/08/2016 13:44

11 pages of people saying they don't like it and will leave the site. Surely that tells you enough.

I mainly lurk and like previous posters when I first found this site many years ago if I had been forced to join to view I would have not bothered and gone elsewhere.

Mumsnet has been a great site but is in very great danger of getting greedy and above itself. You only have to look at how many regular posters are now not posting, how many people have said on this thread that they will leave the site and the fact that you will not have new members as they will not want to join before they get a "feel" for the site. If you carry on like this along with the hacking incident and the fact that the site feeds Daily Mail then you are in danger of in 6 months time somebody saying "remember how great Mumsnet used to be" and it will no longer exist.

onlyfortonight · 18/08/2016 13:50

Since you have made me log on....

This is really irritating. I have good reasons not to log on except to post, and I despise being forced to log in just to read a few threads.

I have no interest in a 'personalised' experience, after all, if I did, I would log on!
You need to make this optional. I have no doubt that I if I had been forced to log in every time when I initially joined this site, all those years ago, I would have given it up as a bad job pretty quickly.

DPotter · 18/08/2016 14:14

I find it hard to believe you haven't removed the log on requirement given the level of criticism levelled at the site. The cynical part of me thinks you're being paid a lot of money by someone to have this highly irritating compulsory log in. And I for one would like to know who it is so I can boycott them.

Come on MN Towers, only one reply way back at the beginning of the thread saying you would monitor the situation. we need some more information from you other than it's OK it's us asking for the log on.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 18/08/2016 14:21

We all KNOW that what you mean when you say you want to add more personalisation in the future to improve user experience by showing more relevant, useful content actually means you want to be able to target advertising more specifically at target demographics, to generate more income from marketing etc. And there's nothing actually wrong with that. Why not be honest with us? You used to be.

Yes. This.

257 posts may not be a huge lot in the greater scheme of things, but you've still got a bunch of members providing pretty much unanimous UX feedback here, and that's just the people who went ahead & logged in. How much longer is this test going to continue and what results would make you decide against the compulsory log in?

witchmountain · 18/08/2016 14:31

Signed up especially to thank you for breaking my mumsnet browsing habit. Haven't looked at anything since the pop up appeared. 10 pages is nothing if you are browsing a long thread or multiple threads. I always use my phone and I've certainly never noticed an ovulation calendar cluttering my screen. I don't want personalisation, I'm capable of picking what I want to look at myself.

I browse rather than post. I don't block ads because I think they are part of the deal. I also use randomly generated passwords so logging in manually is a pain - no idea what my password is without looking it up in a secure note.

PollyPerky · 18/08/2016 14:45

I suspect that a lot of users who are pissed off with this new fangled idea have no inkling this thread is here. So it's not representing many people who don't like the changes.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 18/08/2016 15:08

Ok thanks for the feedback folks - we're about to release a change that means that once you've logged in at least once (per device I think) you won't see the pop up again it again even if you log out.

Sorry for those who've been irritated this test of which clearly there's a fair few - it's been a useful trial for us and we do need to keep trialling different things if we're to keep the site relevant and viable but it is only a trial and obviously we're not going to make any permanent changes that materially hamper folks' use of enjoyment of MN. We'll keep you posted re tests etc.

Cherylene · 18/08/2016 15:35

I have been getting the pop up as soon as I log out Hmm. Probably thinks I didn't really mean it when I logged out?....Grin

tiokiko · 18/08/2016 16:10

This is such a bad idea for all the reasons already stated - I'll stop using the site if it continues. Your stats for the test will be skewed as so many will have been so pissed off with this they've logged in specifically to complain.

Really think this would be a bad move and hope you'll have a major rethink.

PurpleHebe · 18/08/2016 16:20

I really dislike this too and the timing on A levels results day is unfortunate. Today, lots of stressed people are looking for info and advice on the best way to help their DC and this has been a huge added irritation at a horrid time for many.

PollyPerky · 18/08/2016 16:25

I think the OP or someone would get more response to this if it was moved to AIBU.
Can't see MNHQ taking much notice of a few posts here when they have millions of views a month.

reluctantlogin · 18/08/2016 16:25

beyond irritating.. logging in to voice my lack of support for this

PurpleHebe · 18/08/2016 16:29

And it is still popping up, even though I have logged in and out Sad

MNHQ
JessicaMumsnet · 18/08/2016 16:37

@PurpleHebe

And it is still popping up, even though I have logged in and out Sad

Hi PurpleHebe, we've released the change so that you shouldn't see it again if you log in once and then log out - would you mind trying again and letting us know if you are still having problems?

heknowsmysinsheseesmysoul · 18/08/2016 17:03

As many, many posters have said. We DON'T WANT TO LOG IN EVEN ONCE for every device.

I don't want to log - in at work (on my break). People don't want to log in on shared family devices.

This is really annoying people MNHQ. And as an aside - I've been posting for years under different NN and I've never seen an ovulation calendar or anything else that wasn't relevant to my life.

gleam · 18/08/2016 17:12

I can't log in on my tablet. Bye bye MN on that device then.

Sellotapewillfixit · 18/08/2016 17:20

Another one joining the chorus. I want to log in when I want to. Not be forced to. And NOT on every device. Please change this.

BungoWomble · 18/08/2016 17:24

So glad to find this thread, I'll add my name to the list of those who don't want a more personalised service thanks. I'll log into specific threads if I have something interesting/ useful / relevant (imho) to contribute, and not otherwise. In fact if mumsnet is now going down the personalise-and-track route I will really start to think it's had it's day. I'll lump it in with the rest of the privacy-invading social media and avoid.

I have logged in today and am still getting the pop up, not sure when the change mentioned was supposed to take effect?

petitpois55 · 18/08/2016 17:25

Not good enough MN. I won't be logging on just once on every device. change this please.

Vipermisnomer · 18/08/2016 17:25

I don't want to log in on my phone because android is a bunch of unsecured data mining rubbish. So now I can't use mn on my phone - not good enough HQ.

I second the suggestion this gets moved but I think it should go to the top of the active discussions page where the sponsored bits and surveys are - see what feedback that gets you.

gincredible · 18/08/2016 17:25

It's infuriating. I browse regularly and log in once in a blue moon. Why oh why do we have to log in now? I link through from my Facebook feed for a quick read not to faff about remembering passwords.

SpringTown46 · 18/08/2016 17:32

I don't want to risk logging in even once on certain devices! This is such a bad idea.

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