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MNHQ

Skimlinks on Talk

462 replies

AmyGMumsnet · 03/02/2017 18:54

Hi folks,

Some of you might have spotted a few more links in discussions across the site - this is because we're testing out a programme called Skimlinks, which auto-converts some of your brand mentions into links.

This makes it easier for you to have a look at products that other MNers happen to mention on the boards, and, if you decide to make a purchase from one of these links, Mumsnet benefits from a small commission.

Thanks all - let us know if you experience any issues that you think might be related.

MNHQ

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
RedAndYellowStripe · 19/02/2017 10:44

The issue of course is that by using those links, MN has no control at all over them.
They might be linking a very nice website r the one the poster was referring to but they might well be linking to other sites, just see comments and experiences from PP, that aren't as savoury.
You know a bit like when companies are using google ads and they ads end up in not so nice webpages and then people are campaigning or boycotting said companies.

I'm pretty sure that MN has very little control over that and that some words will link to dubious sites that we will all clink on by mistakes, fat fingers and all that.

nicenewdusters · 19/02/2017 11:56

Just came across this when I was posting.

Absolutely no, no, no.

I come on here to discuss things, learn, share, laugh etc. My life, like everybody else, is bombarded with advertising. I can ignore the banners etc, no problem. But I don't want this crap in my actual posts. Like most people on here I have a hinterland - and it's not about shopping 24/7.

peaceout · 19/02/2017 12:20

People who post on mumsnet spend their time creating content for the site, we do the work so that the owners can use us to make money

peaceout · 19/02/2017 12:25

It gives the impression that the poster is endorsing and recommending the product which is linked to
This seems particularly predatory, our words are being monetised in ways that we don't intend and have no control over

peaceout · 19/02/2017 12:27

I suppose we could all start misspelling things to avoid generating links?

paxillin · 19/02/2017 12:35

Why do so many MNetters fight any way MN can make money? It was the same with the Cadbury Chocolate emoji. I don't mind a pink link for a brand I mention.

What's the alternative, a paywall? Donations don't work so well, see the big and intrusive begging pop-ups on webpages which rely on voluntary contributions.

Somerville · 19/02/2017 12:36

Misspelling or breaking up words is problematic for dyslexics (as mentioned before) and especially for the visually impaired, unfortunately. I don't know what the solution is here.

I can't see the skim links but it makes me uncomfortable to know that I might be appearing to endorse or recommend something.

Perfectlypurple · 19/02/2017 12:41

Didn't realise there was a thread on this.

The other day there was a very sensitive rape thread. There was a reply telling the op what the poster went through. She said there was a doctor who did something. The words doctor and who being written together turned into a skim link. Very insensitive on a thread like that.

I wish you would get rid of it.

peaceout · 19/02/2017 12:43

Why do so many MNetters fight any way MN can make money?
because we are the ones doing the work and generating the content
With an online newspaper journalists struggle to be paid for the work they do so the newspaper puts up a paywall to pay the people who write for the site

We are the people who write for this site

paxillin · 19/02/2017 12:46

We are not doing the work. We are dicking about on the internet. Sometimes we help and support each other. Mostly we chat about everything from feminism to baby socks. It would be nice to continue all that for free.

peaceout · 19/02/2017 12:50

Dicking about or not you are spending your time and they are monetising your time

peaceout · 19/02/2017 12:52

The value of the site lies in the contributions of the members

paxillin · 19/02/2017 12:56

Yes, I am spending time here. It is fun. It is free. I don't mind a pink link to keep it free, I bet it would be less fun if it wasn't free, a fair few posters might disappear.

RedAndYellowStripe · 19/02/2017 13:27

A fair few posters have already disappeared after FB, articles in newspapers etc..
And the atmosphere has changed a lot each time MN has been doing big changes like this.

E.g. People are name change a lot nowdays. People are much more careful about posting personal things (see the number of threads that people want deleted by fear of the DM) and more worryingly, people will also think twice before posting to ask for help (see some relationship threads ending up in the DM or the Sun).

Of people stop posting as much or stop posting meaningful stuff, the interest for MN will go down.

RedAndYellowStripe · 19/02/2017 13:34

Also think about it.

You are posting about feminism and are ranting about xx website that is sooo bad. Except that you now end up with a link to said website that you know is abhorrent. Is that right? Do you want to get money from mentioning (and therefore advertising) a misogynist website? Because that's what YOU will be doing (not MN who isn't writing the post)

Then see what a PP has mentioned. One word that has been taken by that system as another's meaning and then ... yep you have a link to something no one has a clue about, the poster never really wanted to mention but has been promoted nevertherless.

Or what about those sites that will get advertised by MN, thanks to the links, that really are right at the opposite of MN ethos. Websites that maybe will promote misogyny or racial hatred or are just plainly disability. Does MN have any control at all in whether those sites will also appear with the little pink links? I doubt it TBH.
The risk is to end up in the same situation than those advertisers such as the Co-Op, some telecoms companies etc... who use Google Ads and end up with adverts in websites that are less than nice (these companies also end up with big pressure on them and threats of boycotts so that they stop advertising on those websites btw).
How will MN ensure that it doesn't end up in a similar position, linking to some those doggy websites??

peaceout · 19/02/2017 13:36

I bet it would be less fun if it wasn't free

If members had to pay it would be dead in the water and the owners know that, they wouldn't even suggest it

You feel as if you are getting a free service, cows herded into a miking shed feel as if they are getting free shelter, they are being milked they are the product

peaceout · 19/02/2017 13:40

The people who do the most work on the boards, the popular witty friendly posters who are liked by everyone, their content will be especially valuable to the owners because others will favour the links generated by their writing

paxillin · 19/02/2017 13:45

But people are generating clicks voluntarily, there must be dozens of Daily Wail links every day. Often in an OP, so in order to take part people have to click the link. This does not create revenue for MN, but for DM.

RedAndYellowStripe · 19/02/2017 13:53

But that's a CHOICE for the poster to do that.
Here there is no choice, not form the poster and not from MN.
Would you really choose to post a link and promote a site with disabilist attitude or inciting to racial hatred?

Also note that a lot of people are refusing to click on DM links too. And say so. Do you think those people will appreciate to see more of those links to the DM etc...?? Or will it put them off?

GrumpyOldBag · 19/02/2017 14:05

I've been away for a week & just come back on & noticed the word new links things.

And I think they are shit.

That is all.

BIWI · 19/02/2017 16:26

*RedAndYellowStripe

And the articles in the DM, the Sun etc... straight from the threads here, even the ones in Relationships (a new low).

MNHQ has no control over posts being used by the media like this - and they certainly don't make money out of it!

peaceout · 19/02/2017 16:58

if you post content on youtube you can opt to monetise your content, ads are inserted into your video and the revenue is a split 45/55....Google keeps 45 percent you get 55 percent.

On mumsnet when you post content adverts are now inserted without the permission of the person who posted the content and all the revenue goes to mumsnet.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 19/02/2017 17:37

Yes, I am spending time here. It is fun. It is free. I don't mind a pink link to keep it free, I bet it would be less fun if it wasn't free, a fair few posters might disappear.

I don't understand why Mumsnet doesn't keep it free with ads for those that want it that way, and a paid for version without ads for those who hate the ads and are happy to pay.

BIWI · 19/02/2017 17:40

I agree!

peaceout · 19/02/2017 17:46

if MN charged a fee it would collapse, the value of the network comes from the size of the network, very few people would pay, the size would drop and the network would be worth nothing.

I appreciate the MN has staff who need to be paid for the work they do but almost all of the value of the site is created by the effort/work/contributions of the people who post on it.
I can put up with a certain amount of ads on the site but when my writing is turned into an advert to make money for the site, and I dont even get a cut, well thats taking the piss!