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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:
pissflaps45 · 17/08/2016 14:33

Have changed username. Mumsnet wont be getting any info about me as I havnt filled out anything apart from Name and email and if it gets too difficult to use I wont. Will have to suffer the Huns instead

Brekekekex · 17/08/2016 15:00

This is seriously annoying Angry please give us an opt-out MNHQ, for all the reasons already stated!

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 15:01

@RhubarbRhubarbRhubarb

Slinging my twopenny in:

I understand advertisers like to tailor ads but when you're just browsing its utterly annoying. It stops you viewing the full thread unless you login and frankly just dumping it on us without a by-the-way-this-is-happening-soon is pretty presumptious.

It's not just ads - more important for us is to get the content right. For example we really don't need to be showing ovulation calendars to someone like me (sadly) but I'd love to see more teens content/ threads - we do need folks to log in for us to be able to achieve that. But, as said, this is only a test and we're keen to do it in a way that causes as little annoyance as possible, so the feedback is very useful - thanks and keep it coming.

superking · 17/08/2016 15:31

Saw this thread earlier and now it has happened to me. I browse using my phone and iPad but for privacy reasons I only remain logged in on the iPad. Like others I have changed my password so many times after the site was hacked that I can never remember it and the password reset process is a pain.

I don't mind being prompted to log in occasionally but there should be a "no thanks" option to enable me to continue browsing. Please change this MNHQ, it is very irritating.

Haffdonga · 17/08/2016 15:33

This is bloody awful MN Sad

I only log in from home. At work I like to browse MN far too much during my lunch break but DO NOT WANT TO LOG IN because I don't want any nosy IT techy bods learning my user nanme and my deeply personal confidential information.

Why the fuck does the pop up not give the option of not logging in if we choose not to?

This makes MN unusable to me.

Ribbet8890 · 17/08/2016 15:43

Feedback: I have logged in specifically to provide it. Everytime I browse without logging in and the login screen comes up with out the option to close it, I will leave your site.

SpinnakerInTheEther · 17/08/2016 15:44

Justine I might like to look at ovulation calendars, even when I'm getting past wanting more children. I might not want reminding of more teen content, just because I've posted on a few threads.

The thing is all this 'personalisation' not only feels intrusive but it is unnecessarily presumptive. I liked the fact that on MN you could browse anonymously or sign in and chose threads etc to hide. There was an amount of user control, which with this change, it feels like we've lost.

I also don't like to have to continually log in just to read posts or stay logged in for another computer user to read what I've been posting.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 15:52

@SpinnakerInTheEther

Justine I might like to look at ovulation calendars, even when I'm getting past wanting more children. I might not want reminding of more teen content, just because I've posted on a few threads.

The thing is all this 'personalisation' not only feels intrusive but it is unnecessarily presumptive. I liked the fact that on MN you could browse anonymously or sign in and chose threads etc to hide. There was an amount of user control, which with this change, it feels like we've lost.

I also don't like to have to continually log in just to read posts or stay logged in for another computer user to read what I've been posting.

You might want to and you still can access ovulation calendars - but especially given that most users (2/3rds) are accessing MN on phone screen it means there is a very limited space to showcase stuff and experience shows us that users tend to be much more interested in some content areas than others. We'd rather show people the stuff they're likely to want to see than stuff they aren't. Of course won't be 100% accurate but it should be an improvement for the majority of people.

ModernContinental · 17/08/2016 15:53

I would imagine you will lose a lot of readers, me included.
I seldom actually log in. Now off to log out.

More time to waste on Reddit!

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 15:54

@Ribbet8890

Feedback: I have logged in specifically to provide it. Everytime I browse without logging in and the login screen comes up with out the option to close it, I will leave your site.

Thanks for that - bounce rates are one of the things we will be monitoring in our test, for sure.

Haffdonga · 17/08/2016 16:00

This is not an improvement for the majority of users because we don't have any choice . Previously users could choose either to log in and get the enhanced personalised content or not log in and browse anonymously. Now that choice is removed, you cannot argue that this is in any way improved.

Justine, you have to admit that this is obviously a commercial decision and is in the interests of your advertisers NOT the users. I really resent being patronised and told that you know better than me what I want to read.

GwendolynMoon · 17/08/2016 16:03

Just adding another 'don't like this at all' opinion to the feedback.

And agree on other comments re. not wanting more 'personalisation'. What would that be based on? Threads one has previously clicked on or other personal info given?

Haffdonga · 17/08/2016 16:06

An example - I introduced a young male colleague to MN at work because he was asking me where on earth I'd got some work related advice/information. I showed him the site and related subject chats.

I did not want to log in and show him the site with all my personal comments highlighted.

(Similar has happened several times with my teenaged dcs - showing them funny or interesting bits without logging in so my user name is not flagged up for them to read everything I have written about them )

Give us the option PLEASE!

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 17/08/2016 16:09

I can understand maybe personalising once people have logged on but surely letting people browse logged out isn't an issue.

How are new people going to know they want to join if they can't see any threads?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 16:15

@BeingATwatItsABingThing

I can understand maybe personalising once people have logged on but surely letting people browse logged out isn't an issue.

How are new people going to know they want to join if they can't see any threads?

Well we're testing a metered login at this point - you only get a prompt after 10 pages so people will be able to browse a fair bit before giving an email address (which only takes a second). It maybe that 10 pages isn't optimal - but it's pretty close to monthly use for a returning user so we thought it was a good place to start.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 17/08/2016 16:16

It definitely didn't happen after 10 views for me. Hmm

TheFuckitBuckit · 17/08/2016 16:17

I have been browsing the site on and off all day but continuously for the last hour without problem. Now I can't read anything without logging in. It's a bloody pain as I don't want to log in just to read and my password is ridiculously long due to hacker gate!!
I ain't bothered about personalisation as I ignore most of it anyway but it will piss me off if I don't have the option to decline log in!

tiggytape · 17/08/2016 16:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

loosechange · 17/08/2016 16:35

Just logged in to see if this had been raised. I usually browse without logging in, and will log in only to post.

I find this very irritating. I can't opt out of logging in, and I don't want to keep my account logged in permanently.

I would appreciate the option to opt out if more personalized material, accepting I will have a less tailored site, and have the option to change this on my account if wanted.

If you are going to keep this then please put an option to view your password as it is typed in. I frequently have to enter it multiple times on my mobile. This will drive me nuts or away from MN.

FourFlapjacksPlease · 17/08/2016 16:40

this is so, so irritating. Please rethink. I don't want to log in all the time as I browse far more than I post. I also cant log in at work.

TeaTowelQueen · 17/08/2016 16:42

I've just had to do this and when you do log in as demanded it dumps you in talk and you can't find the thread again grrrrr and please don't patronise me with personalisation

TeaTowelQueen · 17/08/2016 16:44

Oh and it happens EVERY TIME I click through from face book not 'after 10 pages'

Musicaltheatremum · 17/08/2016 16:50

Yes same here after 2 views. V annoying. Stop it. Don't like it.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 16:59

@TeaTowelQueen

I've just had to do this and when you do log in as demanded it dumps you in talk and you can't find the thread again grrrrr and please don't patronise me with personalisation

That's something we can definitely look at TeaTowel - i.e. not diverting you from where you've come from.

GasLightShining · 17/08/2016 17:12

Irritating to say the least.

Have frequent problems at home with internet connection so don't like to log on as it takes forever to get back on to log out. Don't want the family knowing my user name

No one at home at the moment so I am safe!!!

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