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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Is there a way to hide adverts? *TFMR mentioned*

29 replies

SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 21:55

Mumsnet is becoming unusable because of the plethora of "living with Downs Syndrome" adverts that start appearing if you have recently been on a thread about tfmr.

It is totally inappropriate that people discussing tfmr should be targeted in this way.

Is there anything that can be done?

OP posts:
Greensleevevssnotnose · 23/02/2023 21:59

I don't know what tfmr is but I get this ads too, what's wrong with them?

Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:02

I had a termination as my baby had Downs Syndrome with likely fatal organ abnormalities. It was the worst experience of my life.

I don't need to be bludgeoned over the head with it every time I try to support someone going through something similar.

OP posts:
Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:03

Tfmr is termination for medical reasons. This ad seems to be linked to tfmr threads.

OP posts:
Clymene · 23/02/2023 22:03

That's absolutely disgusting. Honestly MN is making some massively bad judgement calls at the moment.

Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:04

Thanks Clymene. Right on time, it is on this thread!

OP posts:
LouScot · 23/02/2023 22:08

@SylvanianFrenemies I'm sorry for your loss and the upset this advert appearing must cause

@mumsnet I've just had the same advert appear whilst reading this thread. I've seen it often (along with IVF adverts, guess what boards I read the most..). It seems particularly insensitive to have it appear when a poster is mentioning TFMR. Is there anything that can be done about it?

AntiHop · 23/02/2023 22:13

I'm getting these adverts too and I've not been on those threads.

Iusedtobedontcall · 23/02/2023 22:15

Yes I’m the same. Had a TFMR for Trisomy 21 last week and keep seeing the ad.

Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:15

Thanks @LouScot, I appreciate your kind words.

@AntiHop I'm not saying it is only linked to those threads, just that it is always on them and frequency of it appearing massively increases afterwards.

OP posts:
BIWI · 23/02/2023 22:16

If you're using the website/desktop site, then you can install Adblocker. Which is free.

Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:17

@Iusedtobedontcall I'm so sorry you are going through this, and having to see the ad at such a vulnerable time.

OP posts:
Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:18

Thanks Biwi. I'm on the phone so don't think I can do it. Will check.

OP posts:
crazeecatladee · 23/02/2023 22:20

I use ad blockers too and get no ads anywhere

distressedtoo · 23/02/2023 22:21

I agree with you. My TFMR was over a decade ago but it still causes me distress to see these ads. If they don’t take them down it will definitely cause me to leave. I think it’s advertising indiscriminately as I’m not on those boards. It’s at best highly insensitive and shows users don’t matter. Well done for calling it out. Although sadly I don’t think they will listen. I’m sorry for your loss and know the pain you’re feeling 💐

ThirdAidKit · 23/02/2023 22:22

Same situation, and same seeing ads. It’s really not helping to be honest. They must be able to control this.

Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 24/02/2023 16:12

I wonder if @mumsnet will comment on this?

OP posts:
turnthebiglightoff · 24/02/2023 16:20

@mumsnet you are dropping balls in a big way at the moment. Sex toys for new mums, adverts for Downs when people have agonised over TFMR's, underage sex chats on active - when will you start to address all of this??

TrombonesAreNotBones · 24/02/2023 16:36

I am so sorry.

No doubt we'll be told it is because ads trail us due to our search engine history, that it is just a coincidence, or similar slightly handwavy-away comments. It is a poor show.

picklemewalnuts · 24/02/2023 16:45

I've reported your post, OP, in the hope MNHQ see it. Unfortunately there is no landing pad for the tag @MNHQ

At least, there didn't used to be. They simply don't see them.

MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 24/02/2023 16:57

Hi all

Thank you for raising this - we're looking into it now.
Please bear with us and we will come back to you with an update as soon as possible. Flowers

Original poster
SylvanianFrenemies · 24/02/2023 21:21

Thank you @LilyMumsnet

OP posts:
VooVooV · 24/02/2023 21:32

SylvanianFrenemies · 23/02/2023 22:18

Thanks Biwi. I'm on the phone so don't think I can do it. Will check.

I MN on my phone and have an ad blocker, and thank god if the last few weeks are anything to go by.
Sorry you’ve had to flag this though Op. It’s bloody appalling.
@LilyMumsnet as a PP said MNHQ’s recent decisions / algorithms have been decidedly off recently (I’m being polite). And the numerous ‘bear with us’ holding messages don’t really cut it.

Poppins2016 · 24/02/2023 21:40

Just posting to make @LilyMumsnet /MNHQ aware:

I haven't seen any of the ads referred to and I haven't posted on or read any TFMR threads recently (simply because I don't have any experience of the issue and therefore have no valuable contribution to make).

So I suppose my user experience indicates that it's no coincidence and that the ads are targetting posters on those threads.

I'll echo the other posters... the ball seems to have been dropped recently. MN can do better than this!

pontefractals · 27/02/2023 08:02

If MN are using Google Ads, I wonder if there's any link to this:
www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/25/google-adverts-direct-pregnant-women-anti-abortion-groups?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

MNHQ
HebeMumsnet · 27/02/2023 09:30

Morning @SylvanianFrenemies . We're sorry about this. We may well be able to stop the ad appearing in particular topics that might be sensitive. If anyone has a screengrab of the ad and can send us along that with the url where it appeared, that would be really helpful. Or even if you can just tell us where you're seeing it, that would help - eg is it mostly in pregnancy choices?

We'll work on that with any info anyone can give us. In the meantime, if you clear your cookies, you should stop seeing the ad.

We'll let you know when there's an update.

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