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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:
MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 20:21

@EmpressOfTheSevenOceans

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?

Talk is part of the main site as far as we are concerned - don't really make a distinction in that way. Talk traffic accounts for nearly 90% of total traffic but other content is more significant as an entry point for new users.

TeacupDrama · 17/08/2016 20:21

just let us close the pop up

EddieStobbart · 17/08/2016 20:22

Twice I've had this when reading a long thread. I didn't know the "ten pages" thing but that explains the timing. I assumed once I'd logged in I'd be able to continue where I been but it just took me away from the thread and to the "talk" page. Can't be arsed to hunt out the thread now.

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 17/08/2016 20:23

@TeacupDrama

just let us close the pop up

As Jess said, we've tried a test or two like that - now we're testing something else. We don't need to do it for more than a few days to get some decent data though. Will let you all know the results!

EddieStobbart · 17/08/2016 20:23

I don't look at any of MN other than than "talk" - is the rest of the site supposed to be more important?

veryproudvolleyballmum · 17/08/2016 20:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

petitpois55 · 17/08/2016 20:28

This is infuriating. Why on earth did you think this was a good idea? Are you deliberately trying to piss off posters?

Maiyakat · 17/08/2016 20:29

I lurked a lot on mumsnet before I actually joined. If you had insisted on me registering at the beginning I wouldn't have bothered and would have gone elsewhere. And lots of people will never register, but benefit from the advice here. Doesn't really fit with the 'by parents for parents' (and also if it reduces traffic won't that reduce your advertising revenue?). Not impressed.

FruOla · 17/08/2016 20:29

"We didn't anticipate" and "had we thought of that"

Why not?

iloverhubarbcrumble · 17/08/2016 20:36

FFS this is so annoying. I DONT WANT TO LOG IN! I want to lurk, be entertained, I don't want to be tracked, 'known', targeted, assumed about, be a commodity. Of course I'll log in to post, and I do that from time to time, but not allowing anon reading is going too far, and I'll bugger off elsewhere for now. And I do not usually swear. Don't know what I'll do on the train tomorrow now, I'll have to read a book.

BoreOfWhabylon · 17/08/2016 20:40

I lurked on MN for years before joining and posting. I wouldn't have done so if I'd been forced to join after the first few visits.

People have been very clear that they do not like this, for very good reasons, not least safety and security.

Justine, we used to feel listened to but not any more.

Whocansay · 17/08/2016 20:40

This is a right pita! I like being able to have a quick browse on my phone when I'm out and about. I don't want to have to log in all the time. Why is this necessary? Forcing us to log in is ridiculous.

Do we all have to go to Netmums now and be NICE to people? Urgh!

Whocansay · 17/08/2016 20:42

I'd like to know what exactly you are testing and if you are making a profit out of us?

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 17/08/2016 20:45

I don't think we can object to MN making a profit out of us, Whocansay. Especially if the boards are where 90% of the traffic is & they're not charging us, they have to have something to sell the advertisers.

EmpressOfTheSevenOceans · 17/08/2016 20:46

Having said that, forced login is not on - but hopefully that's what the data will tell them when they've finished testing.

BarbarianMum · 17/08/2016 20:46

I'm happy to log in from home but not from work/family tablets etc. This is my secret identity ffs Wink.

Loose it or I really am going to get a new hobby.

Qwebec · 17/08/2016 20:47

Fucking hell, I already have a hard time accessing MN because the ads keep jamming my page, it took my ages just typing this because every 3 words the page going back up to the level of the ads. And now you force us to log on?
This site has become the worst user friendly site.

gleam · 17/08/2016 20:47

This is really annoying, sorry!
I browse MN on my tablet (in between games) which for the life of me can't get hooked up to login for some reason.
So I'm gaming more and MNing less.

Whocansay · 17/08/2016 20:47

I don't generally mind, but I don't like being forced into it. It makes it all seem underhand somehow.

currytoohot · 17/08/2016 20:50

Another one here not happy, I only log in if I am going to post. It's a pita so please get rid

LabRats · 17/08/2016 20:51

I honestly cannot believe that this has even been trialled on a site where it is well known (especially by HQ) that user anonymity is valued. The ability to browse MN in 'ninja' mode is essential for so many of us, for so many reasons.

ssd · 17/08/2016 20:53

I hate having to log in, I have teens and of I forget to log off they can see what I've written about them as they are a lot more pc savvy than me Angry

ssd · 17/08/2016 20:54

but I support mnhq trying out new stuff

gleam · 17/08/2016 20:57

And typed this in my phone, obvs.

gleam · 17/08/2016 20:57

On my phone. Damn you, no edit facility!