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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:
littledrummergirl · 17/08/2016 21:48

I have my favourite boards saved on my phone which I am automatically logged in to on my phone. I like this.

I follow mnet on Facebook and browse the different links which can be interesting. I keep the two accounts seperate though and get irritated when I can't keep reading via the link. If it's something interesting I'll log into it to post.

I often browse in my lunch hour on a work pc as I have no internet on my phone. I'll have to stop doing this if forced to log in as I don't want my colleagues knowing what I post.

Please get rid or give us the option to make it go away.

tiggytape · 17/08/2016 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TrobadoraBeatrice · 17/08/2016 21:53

Adding my voice to those saying this is bloody irritating. Like others I only log in if I want to post, but lurk all over the place on a regular basis - if I have to log in every time I come back to MN I'll probably stop browsing so much. And then how will I spend my lunch break?! I really don't want personalised ads either, especially not if it's based on the random threads I browse out of nosiness.

potoftea · 17/08/2016 22:00

Jumping in to add my dislike for this pop up box forcing me to log in. It happened me every time I tried to browse all day so I logged in to see what was wrong.
Like others said, I only log I'm to post, on my phone I browse for a few minutes at a time and don't want stay logged in when I leave my phone unattended.

TammySwanson · 17/08/2016 22:01

Before I ever registered, I lurked on the Infertility and Miscarriage Board, and it was a great comfort to me to find I was not alone in what I was going through. There is invaluable advice on these boards (as well as countless other boards here) that can genuinely help someone in distress, and to force them to log in or register after only 10 pages is a real smack in the face. There may be countless reasons someone has not registered or can't (I'm particularly thinking of those in abusive relationships here) and to deprive them of this invaluable resource for an 'experiment' is not just bad from a usability perspective but pretty unethical (imho!) I'm sure that Mumsnet has enough registered users to be able to do the 'personalised' service (whatever that means, targeted ads I guess) without forcing everyone to log in and whatever gains may be had I ask you to consider the fact that this place really is a lifeline for so many (who may just get here from google) and to keep it open and browsable for everyone. Everyone needs to feel like they are not alone, that they can read other people's stories and recognise that other people have shared their own experience.

Rigbyroo · 17/08/2016 22:03

I hate this. It's so annoying. I've logged in because I want to catch up with the conspiracy theories otherwise I wouldn't bother.

BeenThereDoneThatForgotten · 17/08/2016 22:11

I can't log in via work pc like many others have said. It's very annoying. I was mid page on one thread when it popped up so the 10 pages thing is blatantly not true. Please stop it.

miserablemoo · 17/08/2016 22:21

I hate this. I am also constantly getting pop ups and my browser hacked. It only happens when I am on mumsnet. DH is constantly having to sort it out and has told me to stop using mumsnet as it's to do with your website. I'm even more uncomfortable using this site and being forced to log in. Especially since the only reason we are having to log in is so we can be targeted by adverts.

SpringTown46 · 17/08/2016 22:25

I won't be able to browse from non-home devices now, like at work. Cheers.

BehindTheOverlay · 17/08/2016 22:28

Haven't RTFT so apologies if this has already been posted... Just registered to let everyone know about a handy Chrome extension called Behind The Overlay. It puts a cunning little button at the top right of your browser that gets rid of annoying overlay/shadow pop-ups, including Mumsnet's new one... Wink

Deleting account and going back to lurking now!

miserablemoo · 17/08/2016 22:51

I use chrome but can't find that button. It sounds ideal!

WhingySquirrel · 17/08/2016 22:54

I don't like it either. I can't browse now as like a previous poster, I am unable to log in on some devices i use. Plus I have nosy co workers who now may be able to snoop on my posts. It seems intrusive.

HyruleWarrior · 17/08/2016 23:12

Another one who isn't happy with being forced into logging in here. As someone who only logs in to comment that pop up is extremely annoying. I like to browse for ten minutes or so when I can, I don't want to log in to do this. Please put a X on the corner of that pop up and give your users some choice.

StopLaughingDrRoss · 17/08/2016 23:13

In 7 pages there's not one message of support for this.. and I'm certainly not going to add one.

Bad idea for all the reasons previously listed. Please remove.

user1471427096 · 17/08/2016 23:13

Another person who feels coerced into logging on.

From the info provided by Justine, this decision was not thought through and introduced in an unprofessional manner.

I'm glad to see it is hugely unpopular.

It's clearly commercially driven - which is fine, we understand the site needs to generate revenue - but why introduce a change that has many detrimental aspects as noted above under the guise of creating "a better browsing experience" (or whatever patronising PR speak is currently fashionable)?

Please listen to your users and curtail this ill- conceived venture.

PointlessForcedLogin · 17/08/2016 23:16

I don't like it at all - I usually just pop in here and there to see what's new.

There are several times over the last week I have gone and done something else rather than login.

adamsmallbone · 17/08/2016 23:19

Another one here who doesn't want to log in just to browse. I am a complete unknown long-time lurker and love being able to browse for as long as i want with no pressure to log in. Please Mumsnet, change it back to how it was!

OdinsLoveChild · 17/08/2016 23:22

It's definitely less than 10 pages before I'm being asked to log in. I've just returned this evening to catch up with this thread. I had the log in pop up immediately on returning to mumsnet despite logging out on my last visit a few hours ago.

I don't like it at all. It's ruined my usual browsing experience. I only log in to post a reply. I notice you haven't yet put this pop up on gransnet so I may just pop over there instead to avoid it. It's not quite the same but it's not the same now anyway. Im really disappointed Sad

DPotter · 17/08/2016 23:23

Another one saying that I don't like compulsory logging in to view threads. please remove it!

twointhemorning · 17/08/2016 23:31

I have just logged in to say I'm also not happy with the popup asking me to log on. I will stop using and browsing the site if it is not removed.

phoebemac · 17/08/2016 23:34

Agree with everything said so far. Very annoying,

MoonlightandMusic · 17/08/2016 23:37

I generally stay logged in but, like a number of other posters, lurked for a long time before joining - if the forced login/join screen had been in place back then I wouldn't have bothered joining as I wouldn't have had time to get a 'feel' for the site and whether I was comfortable in creating an account. Please keep the option to read without logging in.

Also, going by the Google search experience, "personalisation" really isn't - it's just irritating assumptions which, certainly in my case, mean it takes a lot longer to get to what I actually want.
Maybe you could consider instead allowing people to create a 'dashboard' on the home page so they can set their own viewing preferences if they want to - sort of a positive version of the 'hide thread' function? It could then be updated as preferences or interests change.

LayMeDown · 17/08/2016 23:45

I'm really annoyed about being forced to log in. There should at least be an explanation when the log in pops up and an option to opt out. I use different devices and on the ones I share (iPads that kids use) o don't log in because I don't want them or DH knowing my user name. It means logging in and out everytime I use these devices which is a pain. I always felt like MN was a community. This feels like I'm a commodity.

EddieStobbart · 17/08/2016 23:51

I googled "Tena Lady" once. Adverts for incontinence pants followed me around for weeks.

gleam · 18/08/2016 00:02

Ooh, Gransnet, Odin. Good idea!

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