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MNHQ

Introducing AIBU voting

411 replies

TomMumsnet · 17/06/2019 13:25

Hi all,

We're testing out a new feature on AIBU. From today, a few randomly selected Mumsnet users will be able to access a voting function on AIBU posts.

We're testing the vote function because in user feedback lots of you asked for a quick way to answer an AIBU post (essentially; YABU or YANBU).
The general thinking was that this would encourage more interaction - so we're trying it out from today, let's see how it goes.

It won't show on all AIBU posts but you should see it on a few - and importantly, the OP will be able to turn on (or off) the voting function themselves.

Hopefully you'll find it useful - and as ever, we'd love to hear your feedback - so please give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below.

Oh, and if you really aren't a fan then no problem, just head over to your Talk preferences and you'll be able to switch off (and back on) the voting feature.

Thanks
MNHQ

OP posts:
Italia2005 · 25/06/2019 06:45

I was excited to see this option pop up for me just now, however the question was simply unanswerable because although the post was under AIBU, there wasn’t an AIBU question! So this defeats the object.
Genetics (12 Posts)
If you knew you could potentially pass down a seriously life altering genetic disease to your offspring, would it change your decision to have kids ?
How can anyone vote on this as there isn’t a personal view or statement in the question to agree to disagree with?

SinisterBumFacedCat · 27/06/2019 09:14

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3623086-AIBU-to-consider-leaving-husband-for-kids?pg=2&order=

Can’t see how the voting works for this? Are we voting for whether she’s U to leave her husband or whose parenting is U?

LaMarschallin · 30/06/2019 06:38

I don't know if it's still trialling or if the OP had any control about having "The Button" but, if it's the former, sticking a big purple AIBU/AINBU on a thread about a mother being worried about her daughter not coming home when she was expecting her is just crass.

soccerbabe · 30/06/2019 06:47

How on earth are threads about DV being picked as suitable for The Button?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3625397-Still-Shaking-Hours-Later-DP-You-re-a-fucking-whore

SoupDragon · 30/06/2019 07:13

How on earth are threads about DV being picked as suitable for The Button?

Because the OP themselves has decided to put it on.

soccerbabe · 30/06/2019 07:22

Ah OK thanks Soupdragon, I didn't realise that OPs could choose to put the button on

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 30/06/2019 07:48

Well although I still think it may be negative for future engagement, after using it for a bit I feel less negative about it. But still not totally convinced.

SoupDragon · 30/06/2019 08:28

I didn't realise that OPs could choose to put the button on

I don't know whether the voting is opt in or opt out when you start a thread though - I'm not one of the testers and I've turned it off in settings anyway so i don't see it.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 30/06/2019 08:50

@HebeMumsnet is it a new MN policy to not respond to people's concerns about a change when raised? It's not about aesthetics or a grumpy dislike of a new feature? I'm still concerned about the potential impact on mental health of vulnerable users of the site. It would be good to at least know that you've heard us on this, even if you disagree.

nsldriver · 30/06/2019 10:49

I don't know whether the voting is opt in or opt out when you start a thread though - I'm not one of the testers and I've turned it off in settings anyway so i don't see it.

When I started a thread about driving on country roads I was given the choice whether to add it or not. It's there before you have entered the thread title so can be added to any thread in AIBU regardless of subject matter.

zonkin · 30/06/2019 15:33

I was originally not keen on it as I thought it would shut down debate. But I have to confess that it has grown on me and I do like it.

mrsw2 · 01/07/2019 14:40

Is this available to all now ? Can you get it on the app ?

MNHQ
soniamumsnet · 01/07/2019 15:14

Hi,

Thanks for all the comments, questions and feedback here. Just to provide some more information for you:

  1. 50% of people have the ability to turn on voting on an AIBU thread. If it's turned on for a thread anyone can vote.
  2. We are looking at engagement and various metrics at the moment and will confirm dates for the roll out next week.
  3. Any poster will have the ability to remove the feature for their thread or completely - its up to posters themselves, so nothing is compulsory.

Please give us a shout if you need any more information.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 01/07/2019 21:58

I feel totally invisible! It's really weird. Maybe I should strip off to get my concerns at least acknowledged even if they are disagreed with? Confused

SoupDragon · 01/07/2019 22:47

Who said that...? Is someone there...?

mrsw2 · 02/07/2019 08:37

How can you vote on the app?

MNHQ
soniamumsnet · 02/07/2019 09:32

Hi @OhYouBadBadKitten,

We have thought about any possible negative impact on a poster's well being and therefore any poster will have the ability to remove the feature for their thread or completely - its absolutely up to posters themselves, so nothing is compulsory.

MNHQ
soniamumsnet · 02/07/2019 10:06

Hi @mrsw2,

This feature isn't available on the app.

BIWI · 02/07/2019 11:33

@soniamumsnet

2. We are looking at engagement and various metrics at the moment and will confirm dates for the roll out next week.

So without actually discussing with MNetters, just reading this thread, you've already made the decision?

meditrina · 02/07/2019 11:56

It's perfectly clear that they are r arranging elements of the site based on number crunching, and irrespective of views of the users, or the history of how certain features came about.

It does indeed make sense to do it like that - except of course numbers do lie, and algorithms brought in by external contractors often skew results (short term potential gain, but erosion of a number of facets that gave this site a distinctive tone may not be the best long-term strategy). The changes in methodology and tone form MNHQ has been really quite noticeable.

SoupDragon · 02/07/2019 12:56

Hopefully once they've rolled this out as a fait accompli they'll get round to fixing things are actually broken.

MNHQ
soniamumsnet · 02/07/2019 15:10

Hi,

Not wanting to worry anybody, so letting you know that we're still very much just testing this idea, slowly opening it up for more of you to test, so nothing's set in stone.

Glad to hear that people are enjoying it. Please have a go if you get the chance, and it would be great if you then came back here to let us know how it's working. Smile

BIWI · 02/07/2019 15:51

I'd like to register the fact that I'm not enjoying it. I don't think it adds to the experience of the site, nor is it likely to increase my interaction with the threads.

I also think it just flags up how many people post on AIBU with a post that isn't actually asking an AIBU question. And so many of those turn out to be pretty sensitive issues, and things which shouldn't be in that topic anyway.

But crack on MNHQ. That's what you seem determined to do.

Can we have an update about how Advanced Search is being dealt with?

BIWI · 02/07/2019 15:53

18 months ago this was posted

00100001 · 02/07/2019 16:17

yy to BIWI the advanced search is real PITA