Banner advert in the app

[MagicFox]

Hi MNHQ,

There's a banner ad appearing in the ap (at the top) that makes the app visually really annoying to navigate. Will it be there permanently? It would be less bad at the bottom! Thanks!

Same! It's really shit though. Surely they know this?

Like I say, MN through the adblockplus browser on Android is your friend if you want to stay but can't bear the spinning ads. It strips them all out & gives a clean easily readable page. I don't know if there's an IOS equivalent though.

@MNHQ any response on this? I'm getting spinning gambling ads today.

No problem really with ads at point during the threads and I know you need to make money but the banner one is a major issue.

I can't believe nobody has returned to the thread yet to update us.

It's utterly shite of them. I received an e mail last night assuring me they are going to update on this but they've been saying that for days now and so rude not to update us here on this thread

This is the most annoying one - it moves across the screen constantly and makes it very hard to read the thread.

Does anyone know of an adblocker that'll kill the ads on the iOS (iPhone) app? I have Adblock but I think it only works on browsers.

That's the one I took a screenshot recording of but mumsnet app won't let me upload video 🙄

FFS @mnhg @JoMumsnet I've had a quick flick back on my phone and I still have a gambling ad scrolling across horizontally and then it flips upwards too.

It's horrific.

It’s annoying even with the ad blocker so can’t imagine without!

Hi all,

We're sorry you're not loving the change but we do need to run ads on the app like everywhere else, unfortunately. This is what keeps it and the site as a whole free to use for everyone.

However we are aware of an issue with the app at the moment (which is unrelated to this ad placement) and is causing some apps to crash. We're working on a fix to that and will keep you posted.

@LilyMumsnet - we understand a need for ads. But banner ads:
-reduce the size of the screen making using the app challenging

• the flashing of the moving images causes headaches and stops me using the app - and therefore using Mumsnet

I am happy either way add embedded in the text as I scroll down. But I cannot cope with animated ads taking up a quarter of the screen at all times and making me nauseous

What a terrible response!

It's not about having ads, per se. And it's not about a particular add causing apps to crash, though that's an issue of course.

This particular form of banner ad, where it appears (right at the top of the screen where the threads are listed) is really poor user design, making it hard to actually use the app (and god knows, there's enough issues with the app as it is!).

The scrolling / moving aspect of the banner is also really hard to view, without impacting on one's eyesight.

Is it not possible to have ad design that doesn't impact so significantly on the user experience?

I would also say the ads are BIZARRE! There's never anything that seems vaguely relatable or relevant. I keep getting some ad for I think French translation services or similar. It seems pointless.

Yes, agree with all of this.

Please make it go away

I also use the app on iOS and I agree with PP on the banner at the top and the flashing ads

@LilyMumsnet - as others have said, the banner ad at the top just reduces the attractiveness of the app (which, by definition is used on a phone so already a smaller screen).

I have no issue with the ads within the body of the post as I recognise that advertising is needed for the continued success of MN. Indeed, the placement of ads within the posts means that I often click through to an ad as I'm scrolling through the posts.

The permanent banner ad at the top just means that you stop "seeing" it (both consciously and sub-consciously) and reduces functionality. Or if it's moving, it's migraine inducing, which stops any usage of MN.

Both of which seem counter-productive to MN's objective to be more attractive to advertisers

In other words Mumsnet doesn't care about their users as long as they're get their Monopoly money. Why won't you listen to what people are telling you about it causing them visual problems and migraines? It's not on.

I think I might deregister in that case. Ads moving across the screen is not tolerable.

I'm also hating the new ad. I don't mind them normally but at the top of the thread is really distracting.

In fact, I think that as a result of that response, I'll delete the app. The reduced functionality (no DMs or ability to message) and decreased reading area makes it increasingly less attractive.

It would have the added benefit for me at least of reducing significantly the time I spend on MN as I'll have to make a point of going onto my laptop (as I don't like the mobile version) to access MN and can't browse while watching TV/sitting in the lounge/having a lie in at weekends.

Not quite what MN would be wanting

App deleted. Epic work Mumsnet.

Absolutely, run ads, of course you need to.

It's been explained quite clearly why this is an issue.

Can you please explain the reason for the change to ad placement at top as an animated fixed banner? That's what we are complaining about, not the ads' existence.

As you will see I'm a very long term user who hasn't often come to this part of the forum or needed to complain. That, and the chorus of other voices, should be giving pause for thought on this.

So basic response from MNHQ then is "SorryNotSorry"

No more app for me then, was spending too much time on it anyway, perhaps MNHQ has done me a favour.

@LilyMumsnet it's not running ads that are the problem, it's the position of this one. Please just get rid of the banner ads at the top. Add more in the threads themselves if you must but just not the banner.

Don't like it at all and if it has to be there I would prefer it wasn't for gambling which I do not believe should be advertised