Labour Banner surrounding the whole of MN

[SlightlyJaded]

Just really uncomfortable with this. Feel like MN should be politically neutral - and the placement of the ad - all the way around the MN interfact - makes it look like Labour is practically sponsoring MN. It's been like this for a couple of days now.

I can't imagine you'd do this for any other political party?

And for the record - I'm a Labour voter.

Re "china" - I recall the media/nes banging on about the lockdown in China not being at all possible in the UK - guess what happened a few weeks later, just saying

However, MN is a fair platform IMO

Just really uncomfortable with this.

Just wait until the Reform one pops up with Farage's mug all over it.

🍿 👀

Gosh, nowhere near! This has always been a left-leaning site, both in ownership and in usership.

Hi Mumsnet, do you have an ethical advertising policy?

Would you sell ad space to extremist, hateful organisations (eg Reform UK, or the British National Party, For Britain, EDL?) It doesn't look like it but I'd hate to assume and this thread has throw up some interesting questions I imagine many Mumsnet users would like to know about. Also bumping up my previous question - specifically what user data do you share with your advertisers?

The organisation 'Stop Funding Hate' does great capacity building work in this space, in case you need policy development support. https://stopfundinghate.info/about-the-campaign/ethicaladvertisers/

Also reiterating this Labour ad is fine with me!

It's advertising. Which MN will be being paid for. Really don't see why you should be so upset about it!

Do you feel the same way about all the ads on your facebook or instagram timelines?!

It takes up the same amount of space as a few other ads on here. There's a KFC football based one in particular that's filling up exactly the same areas, but is even more annoying because it changes based on the position of your mouse pointer.

They're all being served by the same ad company, so I doubt Mumsnet even knew the labour one would appear until it did.

They're all being served by the same ad company, so I doubt Mumsnet even knew the labour one would appear until it did.

Sorry but just to repeat myself this is not like other ads.

Other ads come via google and you can click on the X in the top right had corner dismisses this and send feedback.

This ad does NOT have this option.

So this is imposed, where others you can dismiss.

If there's a little x to tick, those ads are AdChoices, which are very different from the ads that are paid for.

If only.

Currently being dominated by all the bleating private school parents.

Doesn't show on mine. Are you sure it's not one of those tailored ones that picks up what you are reading online?

Yay! to the Labour party though, for creating such good cut-through with their advertising!

Never seen it on here?

I actually thought the opposite, and that people lean more right, Conservative.

The people who own the website will know as they can analyse data, sentiment, frequency of certain keywords in posts. Over the years Mumsnet has existed this makes for a very interesting data set.

I'm fairly confident Mumsnet protect this data fiercely and in accordance with regulation - but not certain, and that why I've asked what data Mumsnet share with advertisers, including political parties.

Eg social media platforms, even forums like Reddit (US based), allow targeted advertisers, eg to people who follow left or right wing content + influencers, or who are from a certain area, demographic, etc. I'm curious about how much Mumsnet allows targeting and also what data they share about the user base with advertisers (which could allow them to charge higher rates for cause-based advertising than other websites, depending on who wants to reach what demographic). It's all a bit technical but I find it fascinating, and fairly untransparent to date.

Well if it is, it doesn't work - so whoever is selling their targetting as being spot on are lying!

I think that's why I find it so aggravating, and is turning me from thinking not much about the Labour Party now just wants them to P off.

Maybe some incel intern who claims they are super clever with internet influencing has been left in charge.

@IwantToRetire

Is this in fact not an ad for Labour, but a statement by MNHQ as it is not presented, nor has the options to interact with as other ads have?

You (and many others) really don't seem to understand how advertising works!

Any company that is creating its advertising campaign will have a media plan, and they choose where they want to spend their money. Mumsnet will be just one of many places.

Unless Mumsnet refuse to take their ads (which they do for some companies, e.g. Nestlé, I believe) then they will take money from the Labour party as well as any other of the parties.

Advertising on the site, whether it's banner advertising or down the side of the page is just that - advertising. It does not mean that Mumsnet are endorsing the product/brand/political party.

You (and many others) really don't seem to understand how advertising works!

I do exactly understand that's why not just me are raising the question.

The presentation and size are a statement. That's why the question is to MNHQ.

If it is purely money because they charge more for a swamp style ad, then assuming there are some ads they wouldn't accept, want MNHQ thought in allowing this.

And sends the message that other parties dont think mumsnet if worth bothering with.

Hardly a good look for mumsnet!

You can buy ad space anywhere - I don’t know why you are uncomfortable, it’s not a court order to vote for them 😂

Anyhow, it has meant it is now possible to make it look that KS endorses the FWR forum on mumsnet - although he gets really negative reviews on there. (click on image)

I'm not surprised given the hate for private schools and massive union support on this site. Some weeks ago the Labour ad was everywhere in the app. MN = Labour mouthpiece.

I don't see it because I have AdBlocker installed. I recommend everyone does the same! It's free and it's bloody amazing.

I don't know why you think MN should be politically neutral. Feminism is itself a political agenda. Feminism isn't confined to the FWR boards; the very existence of MN is intrinsically feminist.

I think it is ridiculous to assume that anywhere displaying an advertisement is endorsing it's message.

Better than the annoying gambling one in the app.

Are you being deliberately obtuse?!

How would you feel if the same advertising style was being employed by the Conservative party? I bet you wouldn't be complaining then!

Some of these answers have given me pause for thought.

I am not stupid and I know that allowing someone to buy media space on your site does not equate to endorsement. However, I do wonder whether the size,style and dominance of the banner is in keeping with MN which is a site that prides itself on inviting people of all persuasions to discuss freely their thoughts.

As a Labour voter, I am not 'against' the promotion of Labour in a general sense, but I still think that MN should appear politically neutral so as to feel comfortable to everyone. And it's one thing to say that anyone can buy space - but that doesn't mean anyone SHOULD be able to. And I think political parties - even the mainstream ones - should be a no-go.

Getta better ad blocker!