Page 28 | A few updates to Mumsnet 🎨

LizzyMumsnet · 2025-09-18T14:29:49+00:00

You might notice things are looking a bit different today. We’ve given Mumsnet a colour refresh, based on feedback from you in our surveys (thank you!). We’ve also moved a couple of things around to reduce clutter and make things easier to find: - ^Watch^ now sits under the OP post - ^Report^ has moved into the meatball menu (the three dots on posts) As ever, we’d love to hear what you think, so please share your feedback below.

BestIsWest · 19/09/2025 14:19

@KatyMumsnet
What about the pink that ‘read’ posts show as? That is also too bright.
What about the colours highlighting OP and own posts? They are too pale.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 19/09/2025 14:21

We will also be adding different background shades for posts in dark mode.

Please don't, if the end result is as bad as light mode. I'd rather have everything black.

GeniuneWorkOfFart · 19/09/2025 14:22

KatyMumsnet · 19/09/2025 14:14

Hi all, just to update - thanks for all your feedback - we've been going through it carefully.

To address some issues raised so far about the changes:

Colours and contrasts were all checked for accessibility, and both the new blue and the new post colours meet AA standard and in many cases AAA which is gold standard for accessibility (the old blue and new blue both pass at exactly the same rate), AA is the standard across the majority of websites. That said, we know some of you are finding the new colours harder to look at on certain devices, so we will be making the colours a shade darker to increase contrast and provide more distinction.
No change has been made to the brightness of the white background on posts.
Removing the username and timestamp from deleted and withdrawn posts is a bug, which we’re fixing now.
We’ve also heard concerns that highlighting your own posts so clearly could cause issues in domestic violence situations. We are taking this feedback very seriously and will be implementing a setting so people can hide the labels.
Moving the Report link was a data-based decision following no material change in the number of reports in testing but we’ll be monitoring closely to make sure it doesn’t reduce the number of useful reports and of course we won’t hesitate to move it back, should we see any decline.
We will also be adding different background shades for posts in dark mode.

Other questions that have been raised:

Save vs Watch: Save will add the thread to your saved list without notifying you. Watch will notify you about updates to the thread (unless you disable notifications).
We are currently working on the problem with not landing in the right place on the thread when you click back. It’s a complicated issue, so it’s taking a little while to fix - but we are on it.

It will take a few days to make these updates, but we’ll get started right away and you should begin seeing the changes on the site next week.

Thanks again for all your feedback!

They're not just too pale, the new background shades are actively unpleasant. What is the reason for getting rid of green and purple? I've used them for about 10 years and loved my Suffragette themed MN experience 💚💜🤍

ifIwerenotanandroid · 19/09/2025 14:23

I agree, give us back the green & purple as options, please.

the5thgoldengirl · 19/09/2025 14:24

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

GeniuneWorkOfFart · 19/09/2025 14:26

@KatyMumsnet be honest, has anyone in the history of MN ever asked for a salmon pink background to their posts? Ever? Has anyone ever said "hey you know what, I fancy everything being electric blue and neon magenta so I have to squint to see the screen"?

It's genuinely and seriously detracting from my ability to enjoy using MN. Colour changes I can cope with if you must, but it's SO DAYGLO and tbh I don't believe you when you say the brightness hasn't changed because...it's brighter. Ok so maybe the white isn't brighter but the blue is so bright that the whole experience is of the screen being way brighter.

ifIwerenotanandroid · 19/09/2025 14:28

Colours and contrasts were all checked for accessibility, and both the new blue and the new post colours meet AA standard and in many cases AAA which is gold standard for accessibility (the old blue and new blue both pass at exactly the same rate), AA is the standard across the majority of websites. That said, we know some of you are finding the new colours harder to look at on certain devices, so we will be making the colours a shade darker to increase contrast and provide more distinction.
No change has been made to the brightness of the white background on posts.

Then what do you think is causing the problems? I'm genuinely interested, as I've worked with screen colours & their effects on each other, in product development & in art. And if you didn't spot it originally & can't say what the problem is, how can you fix it & know that you've fixed it?

MNHQ

KatyMumsnet · 19/09/2025 14:28

@BestIsWest we will be making those colours a shade darker too

JewelleryCat · 19/09/2025 14:29

I’m glad to hear about dark mode and the different background shades but I’d like the shades not these pastel colours, the colours before the change will be fine please 🙂

Luxio · 19/09/2025 14:30

tbh I don't believe you when you say the brightness hasn't changed because...it's brighter. Ok so maybe the white isn't brighter but the blue is so bright that the whole experience is of the screen being way brighter.

I must admit I'm dubious at this claim too. Although the fact it was highlighted that the white isn't brighter suggests MNHQ know that everything else has been dialled up brightness wise but by saying the white isn't brighter they can acknowledge the issue without actually admitting to the fact everything else is much much brighter.

I'm also very surprised to learn this passed the accessibility criteria given so many users myself included are having such difficulty using the site as a direct result of the changes.

GeniuneWorkOfFart · 19/09/2025 14:31

ifIwerenotanandroid · 19/09/2025 14:28

Colours and contrasts were all checked for accessibility, and both the new blue and the new post colours meet AA standard and in many cases AAA which is gold standard for accessibility (the old blue and new blue both pass at exactly the same rate), AA is the standard across the majority of websites. That said, we know some of you are finding the new colours harder to look at on certain devices, so we will be making the colours a shade darker to increase contrast and provide more distinction.
No change has been made to the brightness of the white background on posts.

Then what do you think is causing the problems? I'm genuinely interested, as I've worked with screen colours & their effects on each other, in product development & in art. And if you didn't spot it originally & can't say what the problem is, how can you fix it & know that you've fixed it?

Exactly

So many people are saying it's too bright which means something is too bright. You can't just go "nah it's not" and move on. It's too bright. It's brighter than it used to be and it hurts my middle aged eyes. End of.

NapoleonsToe · 19/09/2025 14:31

What is the rationale for the ridiculous My Posts and Original Poster banners? No-one wants them, so why add something to disable them, rather than just doing away with them? They serve absolutely no useful purpose. If you sort out the washed out colour options, it's perfectly clear to everyone what's what.

NapoleonsToe · 19/09/2025 14:35

Have MN changed the contrast rather than the brightness maybe? That would explain why it's so uncomfortable to read now. I can only read MN with the brightness of my screen turned right down, that was never the case before yesterday.

Whatever theyve done, it all needs getting rid of sharpish.

Londonmummy66 · 19/09/2025 14:35

Another one wanting the old purple and green back please.

Viviennemary · 19/09/2025 14:37

Nanny0gg · 19/09/2025 09:36

Who chose the colours?

And if anyone thinks this is magenta they need to get their eyes tested

Edited

Show quote history

I would prefer to opt for the choice to set it up as before. Presumably that's not an option.

IsTheRecyclingOut · 19/09/2025 14:51

Report has moved into the meatball menu (the three dots on posts)

Why?
Report should be on the post - and if you cannot fit 5 along the bottom, then move bookmark!

OrangeCrushes · 19/09/2025 14:54

This happened at the same time as our Windows 11 update at work and I thought I was hallucinating. Can't say that I am a huge fan. Sorry, HQ.

SirChenjins · 19/09/2025 14:55

@KatyMumsnet will ypu be writing a user manual so we can all get to grips with the 'helpful' changes that you've made to the site? I don't want to have to change my settings or fanny about looking for the functions that worked perfectly well until someone started fiddling with them - I just want a site that works.

And fgs, get rid of the trans flag colours - we're better than that.

EarringsandLipstick · 19/09/2025 15:02

Luxio · 19/09/2025 14:30

tbh I don't believe you when you say the brightness hasn't changed because...it's brighter. Ok so maybe the white isn't brighter but the blue is so bright that the whole experience is of the screen being way brighter.

I must admit I'm dubious at this claim too. Although the fact it was highlighted that the white isn't brighter suggests MNHQ know that everything else has been dialled up brightness wise but by saying the white isn't brighter they can acknowledge the issue without actually admitting to the fact everything else is much much brighter.

I'm also very surprised to learn this passed the accessibility criteria given so many users myself included are having such difficulty using the site as a direct result of the changes.

I agree fully with this. I can't believe the changes are meeting accessibility criteria. The new colours are so bright, I would normally be the least affected by changes in colour, brightness etc, I've never before had an issue even where I've seen others express problems but this is awful. It's genuinely hurting my eyes, I can barely look at it - which may be no bad thing, and help with my time management!

It baffles me why MN are always making changes that don't enhance user experience.

SummerFrog25 · 19/09/2025 15:02

Kreepture · 18/09/2025 22:09

@LizzyMumsnet Did anyone with eyeballs actually test this before you just rolled it out to everyone else?

Did you check they weren't visually impaired and/or colourblind and what their screen brightness/contrasts were?

Infact, speaking of visually impaired, did anyone with an actual impairment test it?

Turn the brightness down
Give us back our poster colours
Get rid of the stupid "my post" and "original poster" boxes.

Edited

👏🏻 👍🏻

I wonder how many
people have to post this before anyone actually pays any attention!

I have popped on to see if there are any changes. But I'm going to pop off again as I can't use it with this headache inducing set up.

There's been some very annoying changes over the 20 years, but nothing as user unfriendly as THIS

EarringsandLipstick · 19/09/2025 15:02

NapoleonsToe · 19/09/2025 14:35

Have MN changed the contrast rather than the brightness maybe? That would explain why it's so uncomfortable to read now. I can only read MN with the brightness of my screen turned right down, that was never the case before yesterday.

Whatever theyve done, it all needs getting rid of sharpish.

This makes sense too. Uncomfortable is exactly right - it's really nearly impossible to read.

EarringsandLipstick · 19/09/2025 15:03

SummerFrog25 · 19/09/2025 15:02

👏🏻 👍🏻

I wonder how many
people have to post this before anyone actually pays any attention!

I have popped on to see if there are any changes. But I'm going to pop off again as I can't use it with this headache inducing set up.

There's been some very annoying changes over the 20 years, but nothing as user unfriendly as THIS

Show quote history

This 💯

Kreepture · 19/09/2025 15:06

KatyMumsnet · 19/09/2025 14:14

Hi all, just to update - thanks for all your feedback - we've been going through it carefully.

To address some issues raised so far about the changes:

Colours and contrasts were all checked for accessibility, and both the new blue and the new post colours meet AA standard and in many cases AAA which is gold standard for accessibility (the old blue and new blue both pass at exactly the same rate), AA is the standard across the majority of websites. That said, we know some of you are finding the new colours harder to look at on certain devices, so we will be making the colours a shade darker to increase contrast and provide more distinction.
No change has been made to the brightness of the white background on posts.
Removing the username and timestamp from deleted and withdrawn posts is a bug, which we’re fixing now.
We’ve also heard concerns that highlighting your own posts so clearly could cause issues in domestic violence situations. We are taking this feedback very seriously and will be implementing a setting so people can hide the labels.
Moving the Report link was a data-based decision following no material change in the number of reports in testing but we’ll be monitoring closely to make sure it doesn’t reduce the number of useful reports and of course we won’t hesitate to move it back, should we see any decline.
We will also be adding different background shades for posts in dark mode.

Other questions that have been raised:

Save vs Watch: Save will add the thread to your saved list without notifying you. Watch will notify you about updates to the thread (unless you disable notifications).
We are currently working on the problem with not landing in the right place on the thread when you click back. It’s a complicated issue, so it’s taking a little while to fix - but we are on it.

It will take a few days to make these updates, but we’ll get started right away and you should begin seeing the changes on the site next week.

Thanks again for all your feedback!

Give us back our Purple and green. We do not want piss yellow, and pink!!

I also don't believe for one second that this passes accessibility, not when EVERY user so far who has moaned who has sensory/visual impairments has said its too bright and causing headaches and eye strain.

JaneJeffer · 19/09/2025 15:10

I seem to have a combination of old style and new style now

JaneJeffer · 19/09/2025 15:13

What are the red dots at the side for?