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Original poster

Massive ads taking over screen again

22 replies

PinkTonic · 17/02/2024 17:33

This happened a few weeks ago and appeared resolved. Now it’s happening again. Full screen taken over and a message to rotate screen. I’m on safari on an iPad.

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MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 19/02/2024 09:08

Morning, everyone. Thanks for letting us know about this. We're looking into it right now. It sounds like you're all iPad users. Is anyone using a browser other than Safari?

If anyone is able to send us the url to either the thread they are on when it appears or the ad itself, that would be really helpful in tracking this ad down.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 20/02/2024 20:01

Hi all

Thanks so much for the screenshots.

We need the link(s) to where the advert takes you after you click it - this is a huge help when locating where they are coming from. Could you please click on the advert next time you see it, and copy the URL?

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 21/02/2024 09:36

Thanks for the links, everyone. We'll look at this again now.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 21/02/2024 19:23

Hi all

We've attempted a block from our side - if you're still seeing this advert, please could you clear your cache and cookies for Mumsnet? It's very possible that your browser is remembering the advert.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 22/02/2024 14:38

Hi all

We know this is frustrating and so we're really sorry that it's still showing. We're looking into it and will update you as soon as we can.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 22/02/2024 16:09

LokiDoki75 · 22/02/2024 10:11

I’ve been getting the same for the last few days, using Safari on an iPad as well. It’s happened again this morning, which is how I found this thread!

Can we check that you've cleared your Mumsnet cache and cookies?

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 22/02/2024 16:10

MamaGhina · 21/02/2024 20:43

Thanks for the thread @PinkTonic I couldn’t be bothered to try and report again but yes I’m getting it all the time on iPad safari too.

While I’m having a moan…. Why do I lose the thread if I click a different tab or leave the browser? Before you could leave the thread open, browse something else and then return back later and it would be open exactly where I left it. Now it refreshes to the home page every time. Even after a minute or two.
@LilyMumsnet

Can we check that you've cleared your Mumsnet cache and cookies?
We'll take a look at the other issue shortly, we're just keen to get this advert stopped!

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 26/02/2024 19:21

Hi all

If you click on the black or yellow space on the advert, will it take you to the URL? If you don't want to load into the advert, you can turn WiFi and data off before clicking. This will load the URL without loading the landing page.

MNHQ

JoMumsnet · 27/02/2024 11:21

Thanks very much for posting the URLs - we're on the case and will be back with an update as soon as we can.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 29/02/2024 11:31

PartyFearsTwo · 29/02/2024 10:20

I’ve had it but just yesterday and today. Once it’s there you can’t get it to go away.

Sorry to sound like a broken record, but we're not able to locate external adverts without a link. Next time it happens, could you share it with us? If you don't want to load into the advert landing page, you can turn off WiFi and data before clicking the link. It will load the URL without loading the page.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 29/02/2024 11:32

Blackcats7 · 29/02/2024 10:45

Same issue on ipad with google

Next time it happens, could you share the URL with us? If you don't want to load into the advert landing page, you can turn off WiFi and data before clicking the link. It will load the URL without loading the page.

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 04/03/2024 10:56

Morning, everyone. It looks like this had slipped through the net in one area. We've blocked this ad there now so it should be gone soon. If anyone is still seeing this this afternoon, please let us know here.

MNHQ

JoMumsnet · 05/03/2024 12:09

Hi again PinkTonic (and everyone else who's been affected by these ads). We're really sorry it's taking us a while to resolve this issue - please be assured that we're taking this very seriously and are doing everything we can to get to get to the bottom of it.

We've contacted the tech companies that serve these kinds of ads, but in the meantime, if anyone's able to do an HAR file (essentially, a recording of what's happening on the page when an ad breaks through to the site) we'd be really grateful.

Here's how:

Chrome users

  1. Go to the URL where the issue occurs. Do not reproduce the issue yet.
  2. Open Developer Tools:
  • From menu: Menu → More Tools → Developer Tools.
  • or Keyboard: Ctrl+Shift+C, or Ctrl+Alt+I, or ⌥+⌘+I for Mac.
  1. Click the Network tab.
  2. Locate the round button at the top left of the Network tab and confirm it is in red recording mode. If it's grey, click to turn red to start recording.
  3. Use the Clear button (the circle button with a line through it next to the record button) to clear all previous activity.
  4. Select the Preserve log check box on the Network tab.
  5. Check the Disable cache check box.
  6. Reproduce the steps that create the issue.
  7. Save session as a .har file by right-clicking the grid and selecting Save as HAR with content.

Safari users

  1. Check the Safari menu bar at the top of the screen for a Develop menu.
  • If not visible, turn it on by going to Safari → Settings → Advanced.
  • Check the checkbox at the bottom next to Show Develop menu in menu bar.
  1. Go to the URL where the issue occurs. Do not reproduce the issue yet.
  2. Open Network tab in Web Inspector:
  • From menu: Develop → Show Web Inspector → Network.
  • or Keyboard: ⌥+⌘+I → Network
  1. Check Preserve Log checkbox on left side of the Network tabs, within the Other filter options... menu.
  2. Clear current Network items by clicking the Delete Trash icon at the far right of Network tabs [or Keyboard: ⌘+K]
  3. Check the Disable caches check box.
  4. Reproduce the steps that create the issue.
  5. Save session as a .har file by clicking the Export icon next to the Delete Trash icon.

Thanks in advance.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 07/03/2024 11:20

We really appreciate your time and patience here, and thanks so much for the information you've provided already. We know this is frustrating - and a long list of technical instructions is the last thing anyone wants to see.

The reason we asked for more is because it has been really difficult to replicate, and we wouldn't ask for so much if we were able to find it quickly from our end. We want to assure you that, regardless of whether you're able to provide the HAR file, we are treating this as a priority.

We'll continue working hard behind the scenes to get this resolved as soon as possible, but we're not going to be able to give any updates until we actually locate it. As soon as we've done this, we'll be back on the thread.

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 08/03/2024 14:34

Hi all

We've made a more direct attempt at blocking these. Can you let us know if you continue to see them? Please also let us know if you haven't seen it for a while - that would be some good news!

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 15/03/2024 17:54

RawBloomers · 15/03/2024 13:49

I got this today. I didn’t click on it because I don’t click on links I don’t know what they’re to. Also, if i rotate the device as it asks, I can’t see the ad, it just disappears and I can browse the thread:

Hello!

Can we just check that you've followed the instructions on this thread for clearing cache and cookies on Mumsnet?

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 15/03/2024 18:28

RawBloomers · 15/03/2024 18:16

No i didn’t clear my cache and cookies because it’s the first time I’ve seen it and your message about clearing cache and cookies referred to them causing the ad to be remembered. Clearing cache and cookies makes your site harder to use, so I try and avoid doing so.

If it happens again, please could we ask that you give it a go?

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 25/03/2024 10:14

Thanks for the updates, everyone. We're looking into this again now and will let you know when there's news. Flowers

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 25/03/2024 11:04

Hello, again, everyone.

We're on the case with this again. It looks like most of the people with this issue are on Safari using an iPad but there are others, too.

If you haven't already, could you let us know what make of tablet/device you are using and which browser? The more detail on make the better. Thank you! Flowers

MNHQ

LilyMumsnet · 02/04/2024 16:37

Thanks all, can you confirm if it's a blank ad or can you the advertiser? We really are working to get to the bottom of this and we are very sorry that it's still an issue.

MNHQ

HebeMumsnet · 03/04/2024 12:00

Morning, everyone. Just here with a bit of an update. This isn't fully resolved yet but we are making some headway with this issue.

As you've probably worked out for yourselves, this is an issue with tablet users, and is affecting lots of publishing sites. Without going into very boring detail, it's to do with ads being served by third party users that should be for mobile only.

We've taken the normal steps we would to fix this but it's been slightly more complex than usual and we haven't been able to completely block the ads.

However, the good news is we think we have a fix that should mean the issue will disappear in the near future. Please do continue to let us know how it's going on this thread. We're going to be monitoring things and if our Clever Plan doesn't work, we have a Plan B on the backburner!

Thanks again for your patience with this and especially to everyone who's continued to send us info and screenshots. It's been really helpful. Flowers

MNHQ

DawnMumsnet · 05/04/2024 13:27

Thanks for posting the link and the screenshot, @NumberTheory - we're taking a look.

Watch this thread for updates

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