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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
drspouse · 21/02/2017 10:03

Oh and my other point is that skimlinks are so DUMB.

If Facebook can work out my political persuasion and show me links that I will agree with then surely Skimlinks can work out a) when I'm actually endorsing a product b) when it's actually a product I'm talking about and not just an everyday item and c) the actual product I'm talking about.

If I mention that I went to a supermarket, that's different to saying I recommend shopping at a particular supermarket.

If I say I often buy the DCs' and my clothes from a certain well known online clothes retailer to the middle classes (but recently the quality has been poor), that's different to saying "I bought the Trafalgar dress from B*den and it's really lovely fabric and fit".

In that latter circumstance, I don't think anyone would mind Skimlinks putting in a link automatically. But it should be to the exact item. And they jolly well should be able to sort their algorithms out to do that - or they are not worth their programmers.

Aderyn2016 · 21/02/2017 10:05

Not read whole thread yet, so apologies if this has been mentioned but skimlinks are not just targeting brands mentioned in a post. I was on a thread where I used the words 'emotional vacuum' or something and it created a skimlink which took me to vaxuum cleaners on ebay! It made me laugh but it does kind of ruin the seriousness of a post. I politely suggest that you need to do some refinement if you are going to keep these.
And yy, to changing link colours.

DJKKSlider · 21/02/2017 10:16

A thought occurred to me.... Shocking as that may be Grin

If Skimlinks are added when the page loads and they're programmable to whatever whims the owners desire.

Does that mean that, hypothetically speaking, that Mumsnet could decide to make the word "Home" a skimlink and have it link to IKEA?
If that would be possible then what's to stop someone choosing lots of innocent words to link to lots of places?
Docs = Links to Dr Martens
Car = links to ford
I = link to apple

So on and so forth
It could be that every word ends up linking to somewhere :(

drspouse · 21/02/2017 10:21

If the whole post was skimlinks at least it would all be the same colour!

Somerville · 21/02/2017 10:22

That's the way marketing is headed, DJKK. A bit like how some slebs are endorsing a product with every single instagram post. I was at a conference on it recently.

I suspect the user reaction will eventually be setting up not-for-profit talk forums and the like that are completely ad free. Especially at the point that more sites start blocking those running Adblock software.

Saucery · 21/02/2017 10:24

Yes, I thought that too DJKK.
It's interrupting the flow so much. And the Shed/TV programme thing is just ludicrous. Makes a poster look like they are posting on topic but with an agenda.

peaceout · 21/02/2017 10:26

It also makes mn look a bit desperate and 'low rent' IMO

Somerville · 21/02/2017 10:31

What will look especially low rent is when we all start adding disclaimers about any link not being a personal endorsement. I'm only not doing so at the moment because they're not enabled for 'sensitive' boards - do we have confirmation of exactly which these are?
But the first time I am thought to have endorsed something that is actually a skim link by another poster I will start writing a disclaimer. I hate this endorsement culture.

RedAndYellowStripe · 21/02/2017 10:33

Somerville I fully agree.
That's why I was saying that changes like this do bring a change in the type of people using MN.
If MN is putting off the well educated, witty users, this will change the site for the worst, not for the better.

saucery TBH I wouldn't expect people to click on those links. I have done so a few times to check what they were but I am now REFUSING to on any link at all from MN.
im not not a cow ready for milking.

Saucery · 21/02/2017 11:05

Yy, Somerville.

Along the lines of All links not specified as posted by me are retrospectively added by MN's Ad Provider. I do not endorse any of the products or companies. Please be aware Malware may be hidden in these links

Bit unwieldy, but C&P I suppose

peaceout · 21/02/2017 11:10

I'm especially aggrieved at the patronising 'we're just doing this to make life easier for you' explanation from mnhq

Do you really think that the people who create the content on this board are that trusting and naïve??
We can see that we're just being rinsed, we're not stupid

peaceout · 21/02/2017 11:13

I have noticed that clearing cookies from your browser helps to get rid of the links

SoupDragon · 21/02/2017 11:13

That's not exactly or all that they said is it?

peaceout · 21/02/2017 11:15

I was paraphrasing Soup, but it was words to that effect imo

olderthanyouthink · 21/02/2017 11:33

somerville the problem with a NFP forum is that it has running costs. There design and development and hosting and domains to pay for. There's people looking after the site all the time too.

I've thought about it because I make websites all day and I think it's interesting to see how it would work but I know from working with open source stuff, they are hard to sustain.

SoupDragon · 21/02/2017 11:49

That doesn't paraphrase what Justine posted at all though.

Saucery · 21/02/2017 11:53

It paraphrases what AmyGMN says in the OP.
'This makes it easier for you to look at products'.
Which is a bit trashy, but understandable.

'Making unrelated words appear like adverts in your posts' does not feature in their reasoning, however. Guess a lazy/accidental/intrigued click still brings in the pennies.

peaceout · 21/02/2017 12:22

The implication is that when a poster mentions a product they are probably doing so in order to recommend or endorse said product and mn is helping them by creating a link.

What actually seems to be happening is that links are generated by words which may or may not be products and they take you to amazoon or eebay?

DJKKSlider · 21/02/2017 12:34

Another thought occurs... Two in one day, I'll need a low down...

If they can retrospectively add links to whatever word they like, doesn't that open the door for sponsors to pay extra for certain words to lead to their products?

Imagine the Beckham's approaching MN with a few million, all mumsnet have to do is make sure any use of the words like 'Posh' 'Becks' 'Beckham' 'Perfume' 'Brooklyn' etc all point at their products websites.

Seems a bit iffy to me.
Obviousky thats not to say MN wpukd accept being spinsored in such fashion.

drspouse · 21/02/2017 12:39

It paraphrases what AmyGMN says in the OP. 'This makes it easier for you to look at products'.

If it actually did that, it would be linking to "the Trafalgar dress on B(den that has such lovely fabric" NOT to the whole site or to a supermarket or random items on the well known auction site.

It doesn't make it any easier if it's linking to the whole site.

SoupDragon · 21/02/2017 13:47

It paraphrases what AmyGMN says in the OP.

And, like I said, that is not all they said at all. Maybe read what Justine herself had to say instead.

Saucery · 21/02/2017 14:59

Whevs, Soupy. Not getting into a row with about pulling someone up with snarkiness.

Just seen the stupidest one yet, on the Call The Midwife thread. The words 'doctor' and 'who' in a sentence together linking to Doctor Who goods on Amazon. And yes, I clicked, for the sheer entertainment value of this pile of rancid bollocks ad package you've inflicted on us.

APlaceOnTheCouch · 21/02/2017 17:32

I've been using MN on the mobile site so wasn't aware of this until today. It's annoying and counter-productive in so many ways. Firstly, it makes serious posts seem like trolls advertising because it's impossible to know if they added the link themselves or if the software did it. Secondly, associating a product or website with a feeling of annoyance and low-level irritation isn't going to lead to more sales. It's going to create negative brand connotations rather than positive ones.
I realise this will make no difference to the roll-out but I just wanted to vent because I resent the fact I had to look for this thread to make sure my computer didn't have a virus

peaceout · 21/02/2017 17:37

my first thought was that I had a virus and/or it was a link to malware
I did right click -> copy link and then pasted it on a word doc to see what the link was without clicking on it

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 21/02/2017 18:40

I think the D0ctor W h 0 one will crop up a lot. Someone mentioned it here upthread and I saw it today on a thread where the op was worried about having a big baby.
Every time someone says 'I've seen a d0ct0r w h 0 said . . .' This will crop up. Puerile and crass.