Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Site stuff

Join our Innovation Panel to try new features early and help make Mumsnet better.

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:
Nearlyhadenough · 17/08/2016 19:05

I also was concerned about security when I saw the pop-up.

I closed MN down a few times because I don't want to log in all the time - then decided to come and find out if it was real or not.

Not good - please take it away!

Scribblegirl · 17/08/2016 19:07

Really not a fan. Another here who browses on computers that I don't want to log in on so no work mumsnet for me if this continues.

Juturna · 17/08/2016 19:08

I only ever browse and this is bloody annoying! I'm going to have to find other ways to waste my time on the internet anonymously. I don't want to be personalised, I want to be anonymous!

Very disappointed.

Notveryhappyvalley · 17/08/2016 19:14

Another one who's logged in just to express annoyance with this. I browse mumsnet when I've got 5 mins here or there - sat on bus, waiting for tea to cook etc etc. I don't want to faff around with passwords etc when I've only got 5 minutes to myself.

I suspect for many people the answer will be too stay logged in which isn't good for security and is likely to lead to a mass of 'why my 9 year old should stay up till 11pm and get a ps4' threads started by DC's who've got hold of mums phone. I'm guessing this isn't what mumsnet want as it'll be annoying for everyone.

A simple 'no thanks' option would solve a lot of the problems.

FlumptyDumpty · 17/08/2016 19:23

Jessica I take it from your response that the coercion will remain for the duration of this test.

How long will the test last?

Have you considered that if personalisation is indeed the wonderful benefit MN thinks it is, that there will be no need to co-erce logins, as the superior user experience while logged in will speak for itself?

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 17/08/2016 19:26

You'd think HQ would have also considered the sheer bolshiness of MNers. We're famous for it after all.

SilverHawk · 17/08/2016 19:39

Very disappointed that you are doing this.
Filter bubble/ data collection, I don't want it.
Please let us browse in peace.

SpinnakerInTheEther · 17/08/2016 19:40

The thing is, I will quite happily accept a bit of 'personalisation' in order to post. But unless I've read something that makes me wants to, why would I continue? Requiring a log in, before a person has read enough is jumping the gun.

The reason I think MN has such valid posts is that I think it has been possible to read such a lot before posting. I would never have joined without reading the stuff that impelled me to want to join in the discussion. You can read comments in YouTube without joining, in Ship of Fools without joining, let's face it NetMums without joining... Don't make MN of lesser quality!

binkiesandpopcorns · 17/08/2016 19:46

fuck this for a game of soldiers. I'm off and I'll be back when I can browse anonymously Angry

GrouchoSparks · 17/08/2016 19:48

Another one who hates this new 'enhancement'

JillyBoel · 17/08/2016 19:50

Yep, hate it. I generally stay logged in on my phone, but if I find myself on a shared tablet/PC it's no good having to log in when I want to browse (apart from anything else, I'm then logged out when I go back to my phone, so have to log in AGAIN).

It's a massive pain in the arse, and it seems really mean to effectively close the site to non-members.

As a separate note, I really don't want personalisation - I'm quite capable of navigating the site by myself, and one of the biggest draws of MN for me is the opportunity to come across completely new ideas and points of view. A "personalised" experience is not what I'm looking for - quite the opposite. Collect data on what I'm looking at - fine. But don't presume to tell me what I want to look at.

Newkidontheblock22 · 17/08/2016 19:51

I too have found it prompted me to log in before 10 pages which is hugely irritating.
I prefer to browse annonymously and don't want to be directed to content you think I would like.

MrsVamos · 17/08/2016 19:52

Logged in to say the same as binkies.

I don't need inviting to join in/log in, if I want to I will.

This place has gone to fuck. That's why I mainly lurk now and browse WITHOUT logging in, because every other fucking thread you end up having to argue or defend something you've posted.

Utter, utter shit.

Would like to see a proper response to the 'ist' issues too, HQ.

It actually makes me really sad. This place is nasty these days.

Goes quite against ....'by parents for parents'.

I have a horrible feeling HQ know that though and don't really care. Sad

FruOla · 17/08/2016 19:53

Well, this is going well for you MNHQ - isn't it? Hmm

Rethink on the cards?

MrsVamos · 17/08/2016 19:53

Oh. Meant to say.

Every 10 pages pop up ? Bollocks.

Every sodding time I've tried to just read a thread, even on the bloody active page it comes up.

Fucking ridiculous.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 17/08/2016 19:53

It does sound like they're looking for ways to lure more MNers to the main site. And we are of course far easier to track if we're logged in.

I wonder how much audience overlap there is between the main site & the boards?

bibbitybobbityyhat · 17/08/2016 19:53

"Please don't patronise me with personalisation"

EXACTLY!! Well said, that poster. It is just ridiculously annoying (you've seen all the threads about the M&S Sparks Card which is supposed to be irresistably personalised), nobody wants it or likes it.

Haffdonga · 17/08/2016 20:05

And another thing.

Why is MNHQ oh so inclusive when asking us for feedback on whether we should join campaigns or whether we like stickies that sparkle or adverts that play music, but when it comes to a new bit of kit that forces log in every fucking single time we want a browse, they dump this on us with nary a site stuff warning, no request for feedback, no explanation until people panic they've been hacked.

Badly done, MN. Badly done.

Angry
bibbitybobbityyhat · 17/08/2016 20:07

Was just going to say the same thing Haffdonga! Why has this been snuck in through the back door with no announcement? Were HQ thinking people wouldn't notice?

Haffdonga · 17/08/2016 20:10

It feels exploitative and like you've tried to slip it in without mention because you know that it's entirely for marketing purposes.

Justine, here, for you Biscuit

nightshade1 · 17/08/2016 20:11

eugh stop it, I don't want to log in every time I try to read anything. Most annoyed there wasn't a cross to exit the prompt pop-up.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 20:19

@bibbitybobbityyhat

Was just going to say the same thing Haffdonga! Why has this been snuck in through the back door with no announcement? Were HQ thinking people wouldn't notice?

Well it's hardly been snuck through the back door as it's pretty in your face innit - it's a forced login! - but it's true we didn't anticipate people thinking it was malicious and probably should have. Sorry about that - had we thought of that we would have put a thread up on site stuff about it (although not everyone would have seen it).

user1471440720 · 17/08/2016 20:20

too bad there wasnt a "no thanks " option on the pop up...grrrr

TeacupDrama · 17/08/2016 20:20

i browse a lot more than 10 pages in my lunch hour but i don't want to log on please please incorpoate a no thanks button

I am permanently logged on a home but I don't want another user at work seeing highlighted posts by looking at internet history I just don't want to log on when elsewhere I often have an hour plus free at lunchtime 10 pages it about 5 mins reading

this is one of your worst ideas please listen everyone is saying no

MrsVamos · 17/08/2016 20:21

Thinking about it, perhaps that's why its been done.

Far more lurkers that post very occasionally these days than previously ?

HQ should have thought several years ago about the quality of posters on mn, of which there were many, rather than quantity, I reckon.

Gone too far the other way now.