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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:
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12
olderthanyouthink · 19/02/2017 21:19

I know they are different colours on desktop now but mobile looks the same and what's stopping people from linking to stuff for their own gain, like a portfolio/ business site or an affiliate link.

If we are supposed to just get used to spammy links...

MistressMerryWeather · 19/02/2017 21:37

Worra :o

It does have the potential to get a bit silly.

We could end up having to clarify things like we meant a MN post and not a post :o

All in all, it doesn't really bother me, though.

WorraLiberty · 19/02/2017 21:47

The first time I saw a link, I just thought the OP was being really patronising.

She mentioned Asda and I thought, "Yeah we're not stupid. We know it's a supermarket, no need to bloody link to it" Grin Blush

AppleMagic · 20/02/2017 01:19

iPhone links to this for me HmmConfused

Skimlinks on Talk
AppleMagic · 20/02/2017 01:20

Or maybe it's only tribpots link and I've been had Blush

AppleMagic · 20/02/2017 01:22

I don't have an issue with the skim links if they look different to user added links though.

tribpot · 20/02/2017 07:37

Hee hee sorry AppleMagic - that was me messing around. I linked iPhone to Android for my own amusement.

DJKKSlider · 20/02/2017 07:45

Could Mumsnet introduce signatures like other forums?
Nothing fancy just 2 lines to add to the bottom of each post so that we can put in an automatically added disclaimer.

I do not personally promote or endorse any goods or services linked to in my post.

Or so we can add pictures of glittery kitties...

paxillin · 20/02/2017 09:05

Could Mumsnet introduce signatures like other forums?

That way lie inspirational quotes of the day. Don't worry about those who talk behind your back, they are behind you for a reason BOAK.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/02/2017 09:10

Nothing fancy just 2 lines to add to the bottom of each post so that we can put in an automatically added disclaimer.

MNHQ is not going to want to give us the means to negatively impact their advertising revenue.

  • Any links that may appear in this post were not me so don't click them...
SoupDragon · 20/02/2017 09:10

Could Mumsnet introduce signatures like other forums?
Nothing fancy just 2 lines to add to the bottom of each post so that we can put in an automatically added disclaimer.

I do not personally promote or endorse any goods or services linked to in my post.

Or so we can add pictures of glittery kitties...

Or, they could just make it so the links are different colours on all versions of the site.

peaceout · 20/02/2017 09:50

I suppose I could make 'don'tclickthecolouredlinks' a part of my username?

MNHQ
AmyMumsnet · 20/02/2017 13:06

Hi folks,

We are aware that Skimwords is linking some words rather over-enthusiastically, and we're continuing to test the settings to try and stop this happening.

perfectly, we have disabled Skimwords on sensitive topics - could you please send us over the rape thread you're referring to so we can take a look at what's happened?

RedandYellow, Skimwords will only be linking to mainstream shopping sites so you shouldn't be landing anywhere which is promoting racial hatred or disablism. We also have the ability to exclude certain sites from linking so if you do see anything unsavoury let us know and we'll put it on the exclusion list.

Thanks for flagging the issue with the link colour on mobile, we've passed this on to tech who are working on a fix.

We're going to give this a bit of time to bed in now but we'll continue to monitor the situation and in the meantime thanks for all your input.

tribpot · 20/02/2017 13:28

AmyMumsnet could you confirm the skimlinks are added as the browser is displaying (rendering) the thread, i.e. a word which is skimlinked to Vodafone today could be skimlinked to something else if someone opens the thread in two years' time?

AliceInUnderpants · 20/02/2017 13:30

@AmyMumsnet Could you, or someone else, please respond to my questions from Fri 17-Feb-17 21:01:39

And the other thread in site stuff that I've been waiting for a response to.

SoupDragon · 20/02/2017 13:40

We're going to give this a bit of time to bed in now but we'll continue to monitor the situation and in the meantime thanks for all your input.

That's pretty much what was said about the emoji.

BlueKarou · 20/02/2017 16:08

On the PC today and all these bloody Skimlinks are showing up in burgundy, which is usually used as the colour any clicked links show up as, so not only are they more intrusive, it looks like I've gone and clicked on them all in the past. This is the opposite of making them look different to user-added links.

peaceout · 20/02/2017 16:20

I'll be monitoring the situation and making sure I dont use words that generate links

tribpot · 20/02/2017 16:31

But what about in posts you've written in the past, peaceout? This is why I'm trying to find out from MNHQ whether the links are being applied to posts written years ago, and/or whether links can change over time, so that just because MadeUpSupermarketName doesn't generate a link in the post when I actually submit it, if I look at the post next year, when W4itrose have rebranded to MadeUpSupermarketName, will a skimlink be added to my post? NB the skimlinks are (based on my reading of the skimlinks website) customised, so we may not all be seeing the same words linked, nor will the links all necessarily be going to the same location.

Saucery · 20/02/2017 16:37

It's ridiculous now. Linking 'mobile phone' to Vod a phone etc.
I know we're the Product, but seriously?

peaceout · 20/02/2017 16:39

good point, there's no way to stop mumsnet selling our word to generate advertising revenue really is there:(

peaceout · 20/02/2017 16:42

all I can do is never click on any links!

Saucery · 20/02/2017 16:53

And it really is every word.

peaceout · 20/02/2017 17:01

it's just another form of click bait really isnt it :(

BlueKarou · 20/02/2017 17:02

I would assume that the links are being generated when the post is posted. I'm basing this solely on working in a sort of techie field - to retro-add links would mean regenerating the code behind every previous post, and would take a hefty chunk of processing power on a site this big. Am prepared to be wrong though, so would be good to have it confirmed.

Also - some of the skimlinks come up with a Skimlinks message when hovered over, but others don't - that I don't like. Scrolling back, local newspaper doesn't have the hover message, but car parts does.

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