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Original poster

Advertisers pulling because of swearing

6 replies

Paffle · 19/08/2017 07:55

Fuck me, MNHQ, is this true?

Top brands pull ads as Mumsnet users turn the air blue

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/934464e8-844f-11e7-aad7-35a38ccd3007

I completely get brands not wanting to be associated with racism, sexism, disablism etc - all of which are rightly banned on MN. But are people that bothered by swearing?

Please tell me you're not going to ban swearing, MNHQ!

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MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/08/2017 19:00

Hello all,
We've just responded to the Independent thus:

"We haven't been contacted by any advertisers with any concerns about swearing on Mumsnet and we have no plans to change our policy on allowing swearing on our forums. Mumsnet is after all a site for grown ups which people visit to get advice, support and sometimes to let off a bit of steam."

No plans at all to change our policy on swearing unless it became clear that a big majority of users wanted us to, which right now seems unlikely.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/08/2017 19:37

@noblegiraffe

So the story was made up? What was all that balls about the National Trust and Confused.com if they haven't actually said anything about swearing?

The story wasn't so much "made up" as manufactured in my view. It was generated by a freelance journalist who contacted some brands with examples of swearing on Mumsnet next to their ads. These programmatic ads are bought via a third party and usually (though not always) are bought to reach a demographic rather than a specific site. I'm not sure any of the advertisers contacted actually then said they won't advertise on Mumsnet - more that they'd take a look at it - so the headlines are certainly spurious.

I'd imagine the said journo approached more than one paper with the story and the Times chose to run it. But it's a bit of a non-story imho.

Although I agree with those who've pointed out its a bit sexist. Suspect they think it's a story because of the "shock, horror, mothers have potty mouths" angle. Reminds me of when the Sunday Times ran an outraged piece about sex discussions on MN (as if Mother's ironically should be entirely chaste).

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/08/2017 19:43

Apologies for multiple apostrophe calamities - am typing from a train with dodge connection and couldn't bear to preview.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/08/2017 19:44

@ChardonnaysPrettySister

I used to post on a forum where even Dick Cheney was automatically asterisked out.

I didn't last long there.

Actually I think that's fair enough.

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/08/2017 20:43

@EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans

Hello Justine! How was your holiday?

Not too bad thanks - bit hot - got Lucifered in Sicily (but I realise that doesn't always illicit sympathy).

MNHQ

JustineMumsnet · 19/08/2017 21:06

@Sittinginthesun

Bet you're glad to be back, Justine .

You didn't miss much.Grin

So I hear Grin.

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