Local threads aren't working well

[creddiblewidnes]

MNHQ, our local thread used to be very busy, but has been dead since you re-designed how local threads work a couple of years ago. It's clearly not working well. Although it's now possible to specify location at different scales, e.g England, or London, or Richmond-Upon-Thames, or Twickenham, this doesn't work intuitively...

If I specify England, I expect to see all recent posts from within England. Instead, it seems to expect me to specify a distance from a point somewhere in England, but doesn't tell me where the point is. Also, the default radius is just 1 mile, which is clearly bonkers. (See screenshot 1)

If I specify London, I expect to see all recent posts from within the boundary of London. However, again, it seems to expect me to specify a distance from a central point in London, without telling/showing me where the point is. Again the default distance is 1 mile. (Screenshot 2)

If I specify the London Borough of Richmond-Upon-Thames, I expect to see all recent posts from locations within the borough boundary. However, again, it expects me to specify a distance from a central point, without telling me where the point is. (No point adding another screenshot, it's the same).

This functionality has a negative impact. e.g. If I start a thread aimed at the whole of the London Borough of Richmond, it is visible to anyone selecting that location, but if they are looking in Twickenham (which is within the borough) they won't see my thread unless they increase their radius to a scale that incorporates the unknown central point in the borough. This isn't intuitive.

Similarly, if I start a thread at Twickenham level, I would expect people searching at borough level to be able to see it, but they can't, unless they increase their radius from the borough's central point to whatever distance is needed to get to Twickenham. Again, this isn't intuitive.

The other thing I don't like is the radius drop-down list which leaps straight from 3 miles to 10 miles. That's a huge difference.

[HebeMumsnet]

Hi there @creddiblewidnes . Thanks for getting in touch.

We think the reason not so many threads may be appearing is that threads need to be created under the topic “Local” in order for them to show up in other searches. When users create a thread, they must include a location (either a place or post code). If they haven't done that they won't show up in the search, meaning there might eventually be fewer threads in the Local topic.

As you obviously know, users can choose a radius of 1, 2, 3, 10, 25, or 50 miles around the selected location. The 1-mile option isn't really the default exactly but it is first in the list as it's the smallest option. It's obviously not so useful if you're in a large city, but for some smaller towns and villages, it might be useful in ensuring you aren't bringing other areas into the thread if you wanted to be specific, so we do think we need to keep that option.

Users also have the option to search based on either country/city/town or post code. If anyone wishes to focus on a specific area, it's probably best to enter a post code and then select the appropriate mile radius around it so the specific area you want is at the centre of the search.

We hope that helps a bit. We will pass on your thoughts in general about the way it all works though. We don't have any plans at the moment to adjust the way Local works but we will bear your points in mind for the future.

[creddiblewidnes]

"We think the reason not so many threads may be appearing is that threads need to be created under the topic “Local” in order for them to show up in other searches. When users create a thread, they must include a location (either a place or post code). If they haven't done that they won't show up in the search, meaning there might eventually be fewer threads in the Local topic."

I think you may have missed my main point. Even if people do post under local, their threads aren't showing up.

If I go to the Local topic, specify e.g. "London Borough of Richmond upon Thames" and start a new thread, there is no radius drop-down, so which location will my thread be associated with, a) the whole borough or b) a point at the centre of the borough, or (c) something else?

As a poster, I expect (a), but instead (b) or (c) seem to be the answer. I know this because when I search for threads in Twickenham (an area within the borough) I don't see the thread.

Twickenham is a large place, covering approximately half of the borough, so I wouldn't expect to have to put a radius around it to find borough-level threads.

I've tried it on a test thread and I suggest you test it too.

Your functionality may work ok in rural areas where small towns are spread out, but it isn't intuitive for sprawling cities with multiple municipal boundaries and neighbourhood areas within them.

[creddiblewidnes]

Another way of thinking about this problem: if you are a thread-browser who specifies "Twickenham' in the Local forum, the radius dropdown is confusing - does it mean (a) 1 mile around the outer border of Twickenham or (b) 1 mile from the centre of Twickenham (in which case, where is that?), or (c) something else?

As a thread-browser, I intuitively expect (a), but instead the answer seems to be (b) or (c).

[Teasie123]

I'm the exact same. I get notifications that there are new threads on my local group. Bit every time I click on it, no matter what I do, it's the same threads from 5 years ago.🤔🤔🤔

[creddiblewidnes]

Hey @HebeMumsnet , I think you do need to look at this with fresh eyes and do some scenario testing.

[Teasie123]

@creddiblewidnes @HebeMumsnet , there. I just got notification that there are new threads on the local.
I clicked on it and done all the things that were suggested. The most recent post was on 2019. ?!🤔🤔🤔

[Teasie123]

@creddiblewidnes , have you had any joy with the local threads? Mine still doesn't work.🤔🤔🤔

[creddiblewidnes]

The local threads haven't worked well since Mumsnet was re-platformed 2-3 years ago. Our local thread used to be a hive of activity but it's been dead since then. Such a shame. And, unfortunately, the reply up-thread from@HebeMumsnet suggests that MNHQ don't understand the usability issues.