Starting today, forum-goers will no longer be able to use obscene words in forum post titles. The same filters used in the chat rooms and Virtual Labs will now replace such words with alternates. The filters do not extend to the body of the post - they apply only to titles.
Stellaloella explains why in this thread post:
stellaloella says:
While registered members of Etsy have to be over the age of 18, the site is viewable by the general public. We strive to keep the “first impression” public areas of the site friendly for all audiences.We have certain rules for the marketplace side of Etsy regarding the use of language and imagery in listings. We’ve had this filter in the chat rooms and Virtual Labs for a long time already. We recently decided to carry this over in to the forums by adding a simple filter to thread titles. This doesn’t prohibit the use of those words in the body of forum threads — much like sellers can show all in the second-fifth photos of a mature content listing.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I sort of agree as I also sit of the fence. I want Etsy to be successful because it follows that I will be successful, and I don’t want to make excuses just to make them look better. I have a friend who wants to visit Etsy but I won’t take them. I know they won’t be a good fit, but it’s hard to explain why to him. He won’t fit it there. It’s kind of like when you’re kid and are embarassed to be seen with your parents.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Sorry, Louise, not at this point - I’m still holding out for a site that is run by people that have a clue about craft, art, professionalism, proper coding, clear writing, attractive and functional site design and user interfaces and effective marketing.
May 9th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
I’ve always been more than willing to give praise when it’s due. I won’t suck up or heap praise on people who haven’t earned it, I don’t really think that does them any favors. But my pigeonholing as a “grumpy hater” was inaccurate. I’m not impossible to please. Unfortunately, up until recently, those opportunities to give praise were few and far between. Or else they’d do one good thing and follow it by 3 BIG bad things, which often overshadowed the good thing. But lately they have earned kudos and I see no reason to withhold them just because of the MANY boners of the past. The good changes do not cancel out the mistakes of the past, but that was then, this is now, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to give sincere, EARNED praise. Hopefully things will continue in this positive direction. If I had thought Etsy could never redeem itself, I would have deleted my account a long time ago. My hope that they could still fix things was reflected in the fact I continued to sell and buy there. Now that hope is finally being rewarded.
:-)
May 9th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
i agree, it is difficult to find anything positive to say about etsy once they’ve trampled you down and ramped up your frustration levels ….
….. but i’ve still got a little glimmer of positivity burning away inside (awww) boosted by some very positive chatts and a peek at some professionalism
and it’s taken a quite a while for me to come up with anything positive to say and i so understand how negative it can all seem so constantly.
i agree with hazel’s last observation, and am in general sympathy with a broadspread sentiment ie. not the personal direction of it, but more of the observation that it is difficult to be positive about a relationship that has in the past been quite abusive, of louise’s too
am now going back to sit on my fence away from wireless internet
May 9th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
oh please, Hazel, is there nothing they can do to make you withhold your scorn? You never seem to have anything positive to say about anything. Tiresome, really.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Etsy did in fact have a filter in the beginning. The F word became “frell” and ass became “fantastic” I think. I don’t remember the others.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:42 am
A lot of these recent changes have the air of a bunch of irresponsible college kids trying to clean up the party house before Mom gets back…
May 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Yes, they did and it’s Matt. He even has the title “communicator” now. It always makes me think of Star Trek. Let’s hope they’re not working on photon torpedos…
May 8th, 2008 at 11:10 am
And, what happened to that elusive list of changes and improvements for stores? In the seller-universe, where would a profanity filter be on the list of “Essential Improvements That Sellers Have Wanted for Months” ???? Number 128??
And out of 60 employees, they STILL can’t identify someone with communications skills? And out of 60 employees, they can continue to assign the wrong people to the wrong tasks? And still make mountains about changes that really don’t mean a whole lot for ecommerce?