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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

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
peaceout · 20/02/2017 17:05

I wouldnt mind so much about skimlinks that I saw on say a blog because then the advertising revenue would be going to the person who wrote the blog.
But on here we are doing the writing and mumsnet is selling our writing to make a profit for itself Angry

BlueKarou · 20/02/2017 17:06

And now local newspaper hasn't skimmed for me, just to disprove my point. Looks like direct links like Asda linking to the Asda homepage, don't get the hover, but more generic phrases like car parts which link to an ebay search do get the hovery thing.

None of the links in this post, if there are any, were not added by me!

peaceout · 20/02/2017 17:21

I wonder if it interacts with your browser via cookies?

olderthanyouthink · 20/02/2017 17:29

Peaceout, that makes no sense, a blog can be a business like mumsne and can be profitable. Wheres the line?

The links are generated on page load not when they were posted. I just checked some posts from months ago and they have them.

So yes really old threads appear to have them.

The benefits of doing it on page load is, the database of posts stays the same, no adding links when they wanted to start using them and no going through to remove them when the see sense and want to get rid of the links. ALSO, it means the links can be tailored to the users if it thinks you're more interested in iPhones than sheds it's will personal which words are links.

(No links are mine)

olderthanyouthink · 20/02/2017 17:43

Yes, peaceout, Skimlinks can set cookies.

"Pages on Mumsnet may set cookies from Skimlinks. This is an affiliate programme that allows us to earn a commission when you click links to products from Mumsnet."
From the MN privacy/cooking policy

tribpot · 20/02/2017 18:24

so MN are monetising content written before users had the chance to consent to the skimlinks, because the content pre-dates the skimlinks.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 20/02/2017 18:38

there's no way to stop mumsnet selling our word

so MN are monetising content written before users had the chance to consent to the skimlinks

Read the T's and C's . As soon as you post, MN own whatever you posted, and can do with it what they wish.

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 20/02/2017 19:08

Mumnet, really, allowing years old posts to be subject to skimlinks is a step too far.

But I dont expect you give a shit. S'all about the ££.

peaceout · 20/02/2017 20:37

Peaceout, that makes no sense, a blog can be a business like mumsne and can be profitable. Wheres the line?
my point is that with a blog the profit goes to the person who does the work ie writes the text that generates the links
on MN we do the work MN get the profit.
Where's my cut, why should they monetize my time and effort?

peaceout · 20/02/2017 20:41

Read the T's and C's . As soon as you post, MN own whatever you posted, and can do with it what they wish
yeah, I get that but I feel it takes the piss

RedAndYellowStripe · 20/02/2017 20:56

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.

Just a polite way to say 'well carry on doing what the fuck we want'

Which is fair enough because yes it is the TC.

However, I still don't understand the point of having a link that will link car parts to an eBay page. I mean who on earth will even click on that (bar me as I was too curious to know what sort of link will come up with. And yes it's bonkers. It has no relevance to the post nor does it have any relevance to anyone)

And I will continue to say that it's all very good to try and monetise in everything BUT it also push people away. Maybe the very people that have made the site great. It will also change dynamics again and it might not be for the better (again see the fact that as the site has grown, it is used to generate newspaper articles etc).
Look at what AIBU has become. It never used to be as aggressive as that.
Look at what the relationship threads have become. It used to be that you could rely on it for help. Now people are wondering first if it could end up in the DM.

I think it s a crap strategy.

But I supposed that if it still makes money atm that's all what counts?

BoneyBackJefferson · 20/02/2017 22:14

Could you at least make sure that the links go to relevant pages?

When someone on education is writing about the schools recording system it shouldn't really link to a game.

SoupDragon · 20/02/2017 22:15

But I dont expect you give a shit. S'all about the ££.

Do you think MN runs on unicorn poo and fairy dust?

Perfectlypurple · 20/02/2017 23:55

I can't find the rape thread that had the doctor who skimlink MNHQ, sorry. Will have another look tomorrow.

peaceout · 21/02/2017 00:53

the wider issue is to do with the rights of companies to take ownership of and profit from peoples data
it may be legal now but in the long term we might question whether it is right and fair that our data/content can be freely appropriated by others and that we have no rights over it

if we dont question these things then we could wind up all 'owned' by g00gle, amaz0n and face b00k

yes companies want to make a profit but should they be allowed to do so in a predatory way

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/02/2017 07:52

Do you think MN runs on unicorn poo and fairy dust?

Obviously not, but this is a fair way from 'listening to your target audience and change the plan if necessary' (Justine, Feb 2016)

More, we'll do what we like and you can put up with it or jog on. It was ever thus.

SoupDragon · 21/02/2017 07:56

Well, not necessarily as they have said they will see how it goes which fits in with changing the plan if necessary. They havent said "tough shit, we're keeping them"

Although, as i said, they said "lets see..." with the emoji. I do think most people liked those though.

SoupDragon · 21/02/2017 07:57

How many other large sites give their users any say At all in what advertising they accept?

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 21/02/2017 08:18

It does come down to the feeling that Mumsnet users aren't just users, we are contributors. I don't so much have an issue with it going forward, contributors can choose to post or not or adjust their posts accordingly but skim linking old posts really isn't on.

RedAndYellowStripe · 21/02/2017 08:18

It's not the same than Advertising though because it creates a link that the posters have never chosen to put in.
In some ways, it looks like the posters is endorsing the link, which is an issue, esp when the poster is well known for example (and is known to be reliable).
That's different from an advert appearing on the side of the page for example.

tribpot · 21/02/2017 09:27

You can't really adjust your posts accordingly, i.e. using terms like eyePhone and carrrrr doooors to avoid linking, given MN can add those terms to the list at any time, at which point existing posts will become skimlinked too.

The links are generated when the page is loaded, not when the post is written. So there is no way to control the effect on your content.

Saucery · 21/02/2017 09:38

There's just such a huge difference between a supermarket or brand name and a generic term such as door handle.
I can understand the first links, although perfectly capable of googling Asda myself, from an ad pov and yes, MN needs revenue.
It's the altering of tone and content in members' posts that grates.

You have an opinion on Sainsbury's - fine.
You mention car doors and you get an eBay link - not fine.

TheLivingAsheth · 21/02/2017 09:44

I just posted about The Waltons TV show and it linked to Waltons Sheds. It's confusing and stupid, and makes me look stupid for anyone who doesn't know about these links.

RustyBear · 21/02/2017 09:50

So if I link to the TV show site, using the actual word, which wins?

I would predict that my link will work, because punctuation next to the word seems to disable the skimlink.

Let's see...

Waltons

drspouse · 21/02/2017 09:52

In some ways, it looks like the posters is endorsing the link

This is part of my problem but it is also that it is SO intrusive when reading. This applies to brand names too I'm afraid. Every time you see a word in a different font or colour you are slowed up reading and it just makes it uncomfortable. It is as if the words were randomly larger or smaller and it makes you not want to read!

Ultimately MN relies on us writing, and us reading, content - if nobody writes or reads there will be no MN.