Same threads appearing but with a different OP and date

[RestingCatsArseFace]

For the last coule of weeks or so I have seen quite a few threads that I recognise from last year. However they are posted on the day I see them, I have checked the date thinking I had read it before.

This has happened on and off over the years but the last few weeks it has been particularly noticeable, not to mention annoying.

Threads are being recycled for some reason? I don't have examples as I hide them and it is a sign that I spend too much time on MN but something is going on here.

This is because people see the 'similar threads' message at the bottom of a thread/post and click on it - which can take them to old/zombie threads. But as they seem not to check how old the thread is, they then post on that one.

You can turn the 'similar threads' feature off, but I suspect a lot of people don't know that you can do that.

Sometimes it's spammers who deliberately choose older threads to post their shit. And then other posters come along and post, because they don't check the date of the OP.

That said, there do appear to be a lot of them recently, and there's a thread in site stuff about it.

@BIWI You have misunderstood my post. It's not a zombie thing.

I have checked the date after realising I read the thread before.

It is as I said in my post above.

New poster.
New date, the actual day on the calendar, not an old date.
Same story as I read last year.
Not a Zombie.
Completely new thread to all intents and purposes, but have read it before, so a recycled thread.

Copy and paste from bored people?

Ah. Sorry!

No worries.

Hi OP

This sounds like something we'd need to look into. Next time it happens, please can you report the thread to us? We'll take a look behind the scenes.

@LilyMumsnet I will, it goes in phases and has done for years but have noticed a lot more recently, or maybe I am spending a lot more time on here.

Obviously themes and questions will be repeatedly asked over the years, but you are right about this particular thread.

This was asked just a few weeks ago and also mentioned Terry Wogan in the OP!

Hi SonyaBoat and Westfacing, we think it's likely to be a coincidence that there was recently a similar thread to the one you've flagged. We've no reason at all to be suspicious of the OP, and about a dozen people on the thread have said how sad they were when they heard that Terry Wogan had died, so his name clearly comes up a lot on threads like this.

But do always report any thread that you'd like us to check out - we're always happy to take a look.

Thanks @SonyaBoot . Please do send any others you spot through and we'll take a look. We know it's a big ask but if you happen to remember any of the thread titles from before, that seem to be being replicated, or can find them, do send us those too so we can do a 'compare and contrast'. Thank you!

I had the same experience yesterday! Brand new thread, exact same scenario as one I read and posted on a few months ago. Even the wording seemed either the same of very similar. And it was obviously garnering the same sympathetic responses.

Odd …

This is kind of ironic…..because it makes this thread (the one I’m posting on) a repeat of a thread with a different OP and date? 😁

I think sometimes it’s subconscious….people read a thread, forget about it, the topic lingers in their mind and a Few weeks/months later they think they’ll post about it. Totally forgetting they’ve read it here in the first place.

Morning, everyone! This does sound very odd. We'll do our best to look into it but what we really need are some links to threads where this is happening. If anyone spots one could you pop a url here. We should then be able to tell when it was started (regardless of the dates on the thread). Thank you!