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Some clarifications about the Downvote

Hi everyone, ✌️

Thank you very much for your feedback in relation to the Downvote. 👎
We totally understand that many/most of you are not happy with it.

However, based on the feedback we're reading, I'd like to clarify some points:

1) If your posts/replies frequently have many good reactions, and sometimes you get 1 or 2 downvotes, out of MANY good reactions, [b]you really shouldn't have to worry[/b]. 👍

2) If there is a user that has been downvoting you in many posts, [b]that user will eventually start seeing less contents from you[/b]. 📉

3) You don't have to worry [b]if a user tries to use multiple accounts to downvote you. Either the system knows about it already, or will know in the future[/b], and that will only go wrong on that user, [u]and never affect you[/u]. 🚩
Only a few users have attempted this so far, and we've sent notifications to those users. The targeted users [u]were not affected[/u] by the fake downvotes.

4) A comment or post will only be pushed down [b]if the amount of downvotes surpass the amount of good reactions[/b] (and only if a [u]minimum[/u] of downvotes was reached, for that to happen). You [u]don't have to worry[/u] about the visibility of your contents being impacted [u]just because of 1 or 2 downvotes, when you got several good reactions[/u] too. 📊

5) Even if a post of yours got more downvotes than good reactions, [b]it doesn't mean that your audience will be impacted on other stories/questions that you post in the future[/b]. It only affects the post that got downvoted. 📚

5) The downvote does have a slight impact on your account reputation, but [b]that impact is VERY negligible[/b]. If you [u]maintain a much higher amount of good reactions, versus the amount of downvotes[/u], [b]your account will NEVER suffer any consequences[/b]. Only accounts who have more downvotes than good reactions are the ones that will be really impacted. 😊

[b]In summary:[/b] You don't have to worry if you get a few downvotes here and there. Only if the amount of downvotes surpasses the amount of good reactions (very rare cases), you would be affected. [b]Only troublemakers will be affected by the downvote.[/b]

I want to apologize again for not being clear in my original post when it was announced.

---

Thank you for your support and we hope you continue to stay with us.

We are constantly listening to your suggestions, so please keep giving them to us, as they are very important to the future of Similar Worlds.

Very kind regards, 🧡
- The SW Team

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JerseyGal · 51-55, F

[quote]
The difference between the functionality of Mute User and the Downvote is that a Mute will completely hide ALL posts of a specific user on your feed (and only your feed).

As for the Downvote, if the amount of [valid/legit] downvotes surpass the amount of good reactions, then that post will be pushed down to everyone, because it's obviously not a good post/comment.
[/quote]

The thing is, if I want to mute or block someone, that is my right. Who I may choose to mute/block, there are so many others who want to see that users content.

I may want to see the posts/comments that are being pushed down. Just because some may not like that content and choose to downvote it, does not mean that I do not want to view it. 🤷

PirateMonkeyCabinet · 36-40, M

@JerseyGal This is a very valid point that has been brought up by people before but so far has continously been ignored. I hope you get a proper reply.

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

@PirateMonkeyCabinet
Thank you. I hope so too.

Nuno · Admin

@JerseyGal You can still view them. They will not disappear - just pushed down, letting other good comments stay above for more visibility.

PirateMonkeyCabinet · 36-40, M

@Nuno Right now I can go to new, and keep scrolling through posts until I see one I recognize from hours ago knowing I've then seen all the new posts. With a filtered feed this will start drowning said posts making it impossible to know if I have or have not missed a post that may have been downvoted and pushed down.

While it can technically still be viewed, from the way this has been explained it will at times make a post so impractically possible to discover that it is effectively hidden.

RubySoo · 56-60, F

@PirateMonkeyCabinet yes....thats how i understand it too....

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

@Nuno
That's just it. Pushed down because some don't like it. So although I may still be able to view it, the truth is, the visibility is not there for that particular post/comment because of the supposed 'good comments'.

Nuno · Admin

@PirateMonkeyCabinet Ok, I see what you mean. I was referring to the Comments on a post. As for Posts, please note that, at the moment, the "New" feed isn't affected by the Downvote. The posts are purely sorted chronologically.

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

@PirateMonkeyCabinet
Yes exactly.
While it will still be able to be viewed, the truth is, the actual visibility of it is basically zero because of it being pushed so far down.
I really love SW, mainly because of the members I've gotten to know, but also the variety of posts. The content I have chosen to not view is because I have muted it.

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

@Nuno
[quote]
As for Posts, please note that, at the moment, the "New" feed isn't affected by the Downvote. The posts are purely sorted chronologically.
[/quote]

[quote]
4) A comment or post will only be pushed down if the amount of downvotes surpass the amount of good reactions
[/quote]

I am so confused about this. Because in the main post, it mentions posts and comments. That is why it's been mentioned about not liking the posts being pushed down.

PirateMonkeyCabinet · 36-40, M

@Nuno So that is semi-clarified then. You say "at the moment". Was that an accidental choice of words, or is the plan to effectively replace the current chronological "new" feed with a filtered feed?

Ok, you say you were referring to comments. I was meant to ask this before the whole downvote thing happened but it is kinda relevant here too: Can we get an option to select a default viewing mode? We currently have "Top", "Newest First" and "Oldest First", but which sorting mode is selected when opening a post seem to depend on how we access the post (through the feed vs. through notifications, etc.). I would like it to [u]always[/u] open with "newest first". Can we get an implementation of this?

Nuno · Admin

@JerseyGal I understand the confusion. What I said is what we intend it to be ( = affecting both comments and posts). However, we are still analyzing, brainstorming and developing the changes for the Home Feeds (Posts). But for now, the "New" feed isn't impacted by this. The "Top" feed, however, is impacted by the downvote (but the "Top" feed only includes some posts, and it's not the default feed).

PirateMonkeyCabinet · 36-40, M

@JerseyGal [quote]I really love SW, mainly because of the members I've gotten to know, but also the variety of posts. The content I have chosen to not view is because I have muted it.[/quote]

Sorta know the feeling. I used to love SW, and I still like the potential it has, but with the direction it is taking I'm coming to dislike it more and more. I'm looking for alternatives these days but until then I'm stuck with SW. Main reason I still spend time here is some of the great connections I've made in the past.

Nuno · Admin

[quote]@PirateMonkeyCabinet Can we get an option to select a default viewing mode?[/quote]

The default view for Comments is "Top", which is impacted by the downvote (and many other factors).

We can certainly consider a setting for users to choose what default view they want.

PirateMonkeyCabinet · 36-40, M

@Nuno [quote]I understand the confusion. What I said is what we intend it to be ( = affecting both comments and posts). However, we are still analyzing, brainstorming and developing the changes for the Home Feeds (Posts). But for now, the "New" feed isn't impacted by this. The "Top" feed, however, is impacted by the downvote (but the "Top" feed only includes some posts, and it's not the default feed).[/quote]

I suppose this answers the first of my above questions. This does make it seem like, even though no decision has been made yet, you are indeed considering getting rid of "New" the way it is now. Please do not do this. Let us have the option to choose how we want to see it.

In fact, would be nice if you could add an [i]option[/i] to see posts in "New" from the same user even if they are posted within a short timespan. I've seen others mention it before and I know I too have missed posts by someone because they were hidden from "New" because of this.

[quote]The default view for Comments is "Top", which is impacted by the downvote (and many other factors).

We can certainly consider a setting for users to choose what default view they want.[/quote]

A little nitpick; the default view depends on how I access the post. If I open a post from the "New" feed, then the comments of that post defaults to "Top". If I get a notification on a post and click that notification to go to the post, it defaults to "Newest First" for me.

But yes, I know I would very much like to be able to view both the post feed and the comments of a post in order of newest first, untouched by these algorithms. Give users the choice on how they want to view the site they use regularly instead of making the choice for them.

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

@Nuno
Thank you for all your replies and trying to clarify for all of us.
I'm not trying to argue or come across as rude; I'd never do that to any of you. Just trying to completely understand the need for this and clarification.

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

Nuno · Admin

[quote]@PirateMonkeyCabinet In fact, would be nice if you could add an option to see posts in "New" from the same user even if they are posted within a short timespan.[/quote]

Ok. This was done to prevent some users abusing of creating many posts to take over the feed of other users (which some users complained about, as that was annoying). Please note that the "Following" feed doesn't filter any posts (because you're following those users, so it doesn't make sense to filter anything there).

We can consider a setting under "Customize Feed" to make this filter optional, yes.

Nuno · Admin

[quote]@JerseyGal When the actual posts do begin to be impacted, could we have a tab to choose not to have that impact?[/quote]

We'll definitely consider this. Thank you.

PirateMonkeyCabinet · 36-40, M

@Nuno I fully understand that this was done to create a spam filter of sorts, and that some people will prefer it that way. But we are all different, so it would indeed be appreciated for that filter to be optional.

Just an extra point to add for your consideration: I also know following doesn't filter in that way, but then I'd effectively have to follow every single user on the entire site which in turn invalidates the "following" feed. I deliberately follow few people so that on times when I struggle with information overload I can [i]choose[/i] to limit it, but overall I have participated in and will continue to enjoy posts by users I don't follow and have no immediate intention of following.

Appreciate the answers so far, but hope you'll continue to answer the many questions still open about this feature.

JerseyGal · 51-55, F

@Nuno
Thank you, Nuno.

ninalanyon · 61-69, T

@Nuno [quote]please note that, at the moment, the "New" feed isn't affected by the Downvote.[/quote]
Does that mean that it will be affected in the future?