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Original poster

So many ads!

16 replies

MooseBreath · 03/03/2023 11:40

The number of ads creeping into the Talk Forum is insane. A quick look at AIBU and 11 of the threads on the first page were ads. It's absolutely ridiculous and seriously putting me off using the site.

The sex toy ads are particularly irritating because I'm not on the Sex board and never choose to be.

I've noticed a big decline in people using the forums lately. Guessing it's the bloody ads.

OP posts:
MNHQ
JoMumsnet · 03/03/2023 13:45

Hi Moosebreath, thanks for starting this thread. Can we please just confirm if you're talking about promoted threads or actual adverts on the page?

If you can let us know which device you're using to view Mumsnet and also which version of the site (desktop, mobile or app), we can take a closer look.

If you're also able to provide us with a screenshot, that would be good - it's always helpful if we can see exactly what you're seeing.

Thanks in advance.

Original poster
MooseBreath · 03/03/2023 14:26

3 ads without even scrolling. I assume they're promoted threads, but full of product placement.

So many ads!
OP posts:
MNHQ
LilyMumsnet · 03/03/2023 15:06

Thanks OP, we'll have a chat about this feedback. Flowers

Persipan · 03/03/2023 20:39

I'd like to point out that presenting these with only the 'AD' marker, which is formatted in exactly the same way as the post count for a thread and which, if you have slightly dodgy eyesight, is almost indistinguishable from '40', very much appears to be a deliberate ploy to get people to click on things they otherwise wouldn't have, and as such is really irritating.

HeyBwoss · 06/03/2023 18:11

I came to site stuff to see if anyone else had mentioned this. It's driving me insane and putting me off using the site. It's annoying that they are phrased as thread titles you might want to click on, but I don't want to view a whole page for your ad, I'm not here for that.

Also, irritating that that ads aren't even relevant, I'm browsing telly addicts and there are 8 ads (disguised as threads) including maternity rights, early years and fashion. Plus the mumsnet question at the bottom, banner ad at the top a video ad in the middle of the page! So unnecessary and excessive.

Chulainn · 06/03/2023 19:01

I've noticed that loads of ads, under the promotion heading, are appearing in Active also. They look like genuine posts initially but are ads. It's frustrating as it means the Active section isn't showing as many posts as it should do. It's putting me off using that section now.

EdgeOfACoin · 08/03/2023 20:56

I agree. It's incredibly irritating.

Agapornis · 10/03/2023 01:21

Persipan · 03/03/2023 20:39

I'd like to point out that presenting these with only the 'AD' marker, which is formatted in exactly the same way as the post count for a thread and which, if you have slightly dodgy eyesight, is almost indistinguishable from '40', very much appears to be a deliberate ploy to get people to click on things they otherwise wouldn't have, and as such is really irritating.

This. Not good for accessibility. It needs to be visually easy to distinguish. Can you make the fake counter that says AD a different contrast colour, and/or a longer word? E.g. it could say advertisement or advertorial.

Somanysocks · 10/03/2023 03:05

Yes, having them nestled amongst the threads is very irritating. They used to all be in a group at the top and easily scrolled past but expect that's why it's been changed

3littlebeans · 11/03/2023 09:45

Yes I'm finding this irritating too. It's intentional deception which isn't a low I'd expect mumsnet to be stopping to.

squashyhat · 11/03/2023 09:50

Use Firefox as your browser with an ad blocker add-on.

Persipan · 11/03/2023 09:51

I should add, I'm not opposed to sites advertising things. I don't use an ad blocker. I buy stuff though adverts quite regularly. I appreciate that advertising revenue is what keeps sites running. But if, in good faith, I click on what looks like a thread, intending to help answer the OP's question or share something pertinent, and then find it's really an advert for something, the odds of me buying the thing are zero, and indeed I'd be put off buying whatever-it-is in future just because of how cynical and irritating that is. So as an advertising strategy, I question its usefulness.

3littlebeans · 11/03/2023 11:30

Yes agree completely. Don't mind the banner across the top that's always there. But the fake threads are obviously intentional and a real pain. Coupled with ads that take up the page and the ads in the threads it's making mumsnet seem just q vehicle for ads....

I mean it might be - but it will lose users.

Wuggie · 11/03/2023 11:33

There's 5 ads on this thread alone Inc a huge one that pops up, take sup half the screen and I can't see the 'X' to remove it.

Sick of it.

But they want us to pay for premium to stop it.

BIWI · 11/03/2023 13:38

You don't have to pay for premium to get rid of the ads. Install adblocker. It's free.

PreppingForSchool · 11/03/2023 15:08

I don't mind ads on top (once they're their normal size again). I HATE the ones that seem like a thread and it turns out they're an ad. The same ones over and over in active. So hard to see if they are ads or threads as they just have a little AD

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