We’re very pleased to announce that the new Code of Conduct (v2.0) is now ready to go live in a ‘soft launch/trial’ mode. Out of all the Pepper sites, hotukdeals is going to be the first place we launch these so we’re looking forward to getting your feedback to evaluate the impact.
Our goal is to make a subtle shift in how the interactions between members, and between members and our team, take place. Currently, the Community Support team spend a lot of time moderating - that is reacting to your deals, comments and inbox messages.
We’d like to spend more time reaching out and engaging with you to understand how things are going, explain our point of view, and generally have more quality conversations. move the needle with our communities from ‘moderation’ (reactive) to ‘community management’ (proactive),
To support that change, we will be using a new model. It’s called CATS (because, who doesn’t like cats?) and you can see the core values here:
We want to look at ways we can loosen the moderation restraints where reasonable and appropriate. If we can be a little more liberal in our approach without opening the door too far, all the time aiming to make our communities more pleasant and engaging to be part of, that’s the balance we’ll strive for.
CORE - these are the foundational rules we believe keep the community safe and secure
ADAPT - For certain topics (often emerging ones) Pepper communities diverge in how they engage, so we’ll be flexible
TEST - In collaboration with members, we want to test new approaches to thorny issues, such as ‘off topic’ or ‘political posts’
STYLE - we want transparent and clear communication, so everyone knows where they stand
The TEST part might be of most interest, here are some examples of what you might see us looking at:
Language: We get feedback that we should give more leniency in our comment moderation to allow some more natural language, including some light swearing.
Political: We get feedback that people should be allowed to politely debate some political issues.
In both these examples, we currently have a zero tolerance approach. The CATS model would allow us to run test periods, communicated with members with some clear guidelines around loosening the rules and seeing what happens. The responsibility is then very much shared with you.
If we get mainly positive feedback, we can look to extend it. If it’s clear it’s not working or causing more issues, we can revert and update accordingly.
We need to be able to remain current in an ever-changing world and not be afraid to try new ideas and experiment (sometimes failing fast, learning and iterating). We also want you all to be part of that process.
Lastly, our ‘house style’ is so important. How we all interact with each other is fundamental to what makes our communities so popular and successful. Being mindful of our communication style will help all teams be more confident to speak with members and create engaging posts on a more regular basis.
Moderation and community management is a constant balance of multiple things, reflecting the diversity of everyone who uses our platform. We’ll never find a perfect balance that works for every member, but we’ll keep testing, collecting feedback and learning.
This only works if we have trust, and see the Community Support team and the community itself as being on the same side - wanting to create an amazing place to share deals, feedback, knowledge and have fun.s. Sometimes we make decisions based on overwhelming data, sometimes we try things to help us grow revenues without having a negative impact on the user experience (this is still a business underneath), and sometimes it’s a pure ‘what’s good for our community’ decision.
Most commonly, it’s a mixture of all of these.
Please remember that real people work behind the avatars who genuinely care about the community and its members. You might not agree with us, that’s OK. However, please provide feedback constructively and accept that sometimes some decisions won’t be right for you.
Some helpful additional information about our Community support team:
Our actions and decisions are not affected by merchant relationships; we are distinct from editorial, commercial or other related departments.
Our actions are guided solely by the Publication Rules, Code of Conduct and our general moderation processes around good content.
The Community Support team have no financial or money-incentivised targets.
We never remove good deals so other teams (including our editorial colleagues) can then repost.
If you’ve had a comment removed or have a further community-related a query you can contact us again via
If you have been on moderation for 3+ months you can request a review via
Lastly, thanks to each and every one of you for the continued support and contributions you give to us. It’s an amazing community that has not only saved people tons of money, but has provided insight, experience, reviews, support, friendship and a home for so many.
Update - 09/05/24
After further discussion, we've decided to permit on-topic current affairs political threads in Discussions. For instance, discussions about local or general elections, upcoming budget announcements, or changes in government policies are now welcome.
Any discussion should focus on a current topic of interest, and we encourage debate and personal opinions. However, comments must always remain respectful and avoid becoming personal. If any unsuitable content is posted, we kindly ask members to report it for review by the team, rather than engaging in arguments or escalating the situation. It's important to note that simply expressing an opposing opinion is not grounds for reporting; it's the wording and intent behind the comment that matters (so baiting isn't allowed either). Healthy debate is encouraged.","comment":[{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52561946","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nexy"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T18:39:47.000Z","text":"Surely there are more of us looking at this as a positive step to address the complaints people have?
People are moaning and rolling their eyes because the moderation could be a bit overly judicious and inconsistent on a post about making it more laid back and consistent.
I've had a couple of comments eaten in moderation over the years. And sure, nothing disincentivises interaction more than comments getting deleted.
But overall, this place is kept pretty darn clean and tidy. We've all likely experienced places that have a more hands-off approach to moderation, and more oft than not, it's not pleasant.
Moderation is a balance.
Most people are good, decent, helpful and civil. Some people are just a word that is still against the code of conduct.
With most people if you push the right buttons, their claws come out. Some excel and delight at pushing buttons of others.
You have to take out the trash or rot sets in.
I'm not saying the balance has always been perfect in the past, neither are they.
But these changes are about giving us all a bit more rope to do with as we please. Treating us as responsible adults despite the fact many of us occasionally act like angry children.
Good. And to the moderators, \"good luck herding cats\"."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559541","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"rp1974"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:49:51.000Z","text":"Of recent times it's become very,very apparent that certain members can post more or less what they like,whereas others cannot. It's the main reason I only simply vote hot or cold as there's little point in commenting when discussion is so restricted,usually unnecessarily. That a certain level of moderation is needed isn't really up for debate,just that it needs applied equally to all users."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559483","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"TristanDeCoonha"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:42:58.000Z","text":"The equalization of moderation standards would be welcome. Too often one mod will reject what most will let go through, for \"not being relevent\" despite many other comments of a similar vein or humour having already been posted. It should be moderated to a fixed rule, not some prissy opinion"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559471","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Biddy2"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:41:25.000Z","text":"Sounds good.
What would count as light swearing? Sounds silly to ask, but I do think the severity of swear words does differ depending on the area of the country you may reside. ( Not trying to get you to type a lot of swear words for a giggle, honest. )
I wish you guys all the best with the moderation of political posts though. I'm not hopeful that one will work out. Society still seems a bit too divided and angry when it comes to political beliefs. "},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52575948","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"gazdoubleu"},"datePublished":"2024-04-14T09:18:21.000Z","text":"First time I've noticed anything like this.
Does make me wonder if Mods just couldn't be bothered to moderate per chance they were criticised for heavy handed moderation."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52567804","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nesima"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T17:05:43.000Z","text":"I have almost given up commenting, the moderation is very oppressive and woke/snowflake. The current moderation dilutes the usefulness of the website by blocking and obstructing useful views and opinion, that has turned it into something very bland and bordering on useless at times.
I hope the new code of conduct protects ordinary UK people with ordinary normal views, from the woke perpetually offended that degrade everybody's life and experiences. HOT-UK-Deals could be so much better. It needs to understand UK values and expectations and manage the website accordingly."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52682405","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"VeganPolice"},"datePublished":"2024-05-02T15:52:10.000Z","text":"It would be interesting to have admin/modes explain why this was deleted: hotukdeals.com/dis…057"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559402","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"JPS"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:28:32.000Z","text":"No question things around here were getting very restricted and over-moderated.
This sounds like a great idea and hopefully allows HUKD to flourish and allow people to speak freely - a basic staple of our modern society where hopefully everyone can get along "},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559430","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Crom"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:34:01.000Z","text":"I think everyone would welcome slightly looser moderation, but I wonder if you considered the added benefits of Synergistic Holistic Intuition Triangulation?"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559446","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"henry.ford"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:36:59.000Z","text":"Great. Politics."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559549","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Myusernamehasgone234"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:51:36.000Z","text":"Great to see you have listened to the feedback of members regarding moderation.
Most of the HUKD's negative trustpilots reviews have mentioned issues with moderation.
Lets hope the site will now be able flourish again.
uk.trustpilot.com/rev…ncy"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559580","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"CoolCab"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:55:50.000Z","text":"I would feedback, and this is something I have annoyed moderators by accident a few times, as a casual swearer - never at anyone of course but someone who will extremely mindlessly say ah it's (copulated) or no the new drivers are (feces) mate, that install job is going to be a (female dog), etc etc - I wind up accidentally tripping the filter all the time, and relying on a moderator to send me my post back so I can fix and repost it.
I think it would be ideal to implement some kind of filter that changes the common ones to %%%% or something, and have logged in users able to toggle it. That way if it bothered anyone they could opt out."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52560466","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"HappyShopper"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T15:09:57.000Z","text":"We also need more emoticons!"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52618751","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"PS5"},"datePublished":"2024-04-21T18:07:57.000Z","text":"So mods, did you enjoy policing the Palestinian charity thread? You won't win. My posts are deleted yet others are kept even when I query the inconsistency. Then an hour later they were removed, then mine an hour after that.. At the end you will probably more annoyed members than if you had just stopped it at the onset. You have opened a can of worms. It is clear impartial and consistent moderation by all staff members is going to be very difficult as everyone has their own views / interpretations. Good luck "},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52566571","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"tr0r"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T13:42:10.000Z","text":"Can we make it automatic that anyone who says \"Woke\" gets a 30 day ban?"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52562880","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Conkers816"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T21:13:23.000Z","text":"There was a thread a while back about David Cameron's autobiography. It was clear that the auto-mod was trigged pretty early on but I posted a comment in the morning that was verifiably and factually correct regarding his position in the Lords.
It was sent for moderation early that particular day and approved and remained there for the majority of the day - 7 or 8 hours.
I got a message after 9pm that evening that the comment had been removed because it was deemed \"off topic and not useful to thread discussion\" - despite being approved 8 hours earlier.
At the same time, a comment was made on the same thread also earlier in the day that simply read \"MR JUMP SHIP\" so I posed the question as to how that comment was deemed to be \"on\" topic and useful to thread discussion compared to my one. Of course no answer was forthcoming.
It's clear that the moderator on duty that evening received the reported comment and just summarily removed it without a second thought - I'd wager they probably didn't even read the thread itself either.
I hope this Code of Conduct can address things like this."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52565931","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"toymotor"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T11:49:59.000Z","text":"I remember when I posted my first deal ( Q acoustic sub for £99) which was great deal and in the comments I was accused of being in cahoots with Q acoustics. ( \"probably works for them\") which I don't. That set the tone for my interactions on this website. I buy a lot through the links on this site, some say far too much but I rarely comment unless the product is something I've bought and had problems with. I feel its my duty to share why HP Omen laptops are rubbish."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52562912","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"The2Time"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T21:18:53.000Z","text":"Mods have been absolutely torn to shreds in this discussion from all angles. It's clear something needs to change and I hope the people higher up within the Pepper chain see this thread also as it's clear there is something very wrong internally."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559498","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"motosing"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:44:21.000Z","text":"Can we not have political comments? It's going to make comments on some deals unreadable."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559743","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"horsey"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T13:16:47.000Z","text":"Moderation is unfathomable sometimes...
Re. a cat tree deal: \"It's a bit low, cats prefer looking down on everyone\" ...deleted
Re. a colourful crayons deal: \"These have no flavour at all, disappointed\" ...deleted
\\o/ ???
I remember when this site was fun (in fact fun enough to have in-jokes like Loughborough man & Sony), but now pretty most every joke comment is removed. I get that they aren't exactly 'relevant to the deal' but this is still Britain, it's kinda what we do...?
We are way past polite political debate in the West, just accept that there are two kinds of people with two vastly different sets of social values and it's tiresome to engage with each other. Nobody has ever had a political epiphany in the last ten years and I'm bored of the same people shoving their social causes into everything via \"book deals\". There are plenty of other sites where people will furiously clap your political opinions, I don't see why we have to put up with them in here too"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559911","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"xybp9"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T13:40:02.000Z","text":"Does this mean that mod deals (sponsored posts) will be marked as advertisements as required by UK law?
And that mod deals won't delete user posts that are critical of it something really is a good deal?
Lastly, will good user posted deals keep getting deleted (as several of my deals have been in the past years)?
This website has turned into a hollow shell of what it used to be and it's likely that users will break off to make their own website where all deals will be allowed and judged by the users only"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559610","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Willy_Wonka"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T13:00:01.000Z","text":"The problem being with political is some political comments & deals seem to be allowed but a suitable measured response to balance the subject is not.
For example. \"Deals\" have been posted on this site of free kindle books that are only posted to highlight someones particular opinion on current World events. This obviously receives many glancing hot votes from people that do not understand the politics behind those books & the deal is just clickbait & often than not contains information of the \"deal\" that is factually incorrect but those who have an alternative view on the matter cannot post the corrective information that is in their mind information that can balance the opinion posted.
This has happened time & time again on HUKDs and as a result gives the impression that a majority of people on HUKDs support a particular opinion, when in fact, do they really? & even if they did they are not allowed to post particular facts on the matter because their opinions are censored.
These type of \"deals\" either need removing completely or alternative opinions & factual information needs to be allowed."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52560921","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"username23452"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T16:14:38.000Z","text":"A code of conduct is a vague catch all to justify any action taken. Clear and concise rules are not vague. Most of my experience of the mods here are incorrectly applying their own rules as arbitrary decisions.
It's a skill issue. A good mod needs to be a paid employee with the relevant skillset. Unpaid mods lack the required skillset and compensate by being confidently wrong.
So I don't cry I just make sure I don't use their links for products I see listed here but can find in google.
If people wanted to get their attention they need to understand how this site generates revenue."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52560165","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"VeganPolice"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T14:24:09.000Z","text":"Mod anonymity allows bias & harassment."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52560790","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"eelvis"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T15:54:08.000Z","text":"I have been worried how authoritarian the mods have been on this site recently. Also the off post moderation can be used to censor debate and hints, which is why this site is so good, is the trust. MSM has moved very leftwing and traditional view are seen as not appropriate and post pandemic, discussions are almost seen as subversion."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559546","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"louiselouise"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:50:46.000Z","text":"I was going to make a comment on some members' posting style and lack of usefulness / insight (there are some who seem to spend all day policing threads but not contributing anything! Why you'd join a forum to do that is beyond me..) but that's for another discussion.
Humour is fair enough but not if it's adding more to an already very negative thread. This is a Deals site and it just puts casual readers off and / or makes the forum seem unfriendly. (I know Misc and Discussions exist but I rarely wander over to those..)
Mostly I agree with mods decisions but there isn't always consistency.
As for swearing, I noticed a few days ago the s word on one comment - people were asking why it hadn't been modded (they weren't complaining, just querying), so maybe that's why! It's fair enough as long as it's not an attack on a member.
edit: 'polite' is really important, though that applies to every corner of the internet, where it's very much lacking. Even MSE has its wandering trolls and snipers at times. Reddit and Twitter are (debatably) worse."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52561033","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"me_lee"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T16:27:55.000Z","text":"The quality of moderation (and over-moderation) has put me off commenting - you'll see less than a dozen comments from me over the last 6 months after being a regular contributor (almost 1500 comments) previously. I wouldn't consider posting a deal any longer because... why should I contribute to a site where the mods / the site place no value in my contributions?
For example, I've had comments against Amazon subscribe and save deals that mention some of the things you have to be careful of with S&S repeatedly deleted as \"Not relevant\" because the deal poster complained (presumably because they might not get as much heat).
If that improves I'll consider using HUKD properly again, but if I see the same old I'll be off again."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52682185","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Willy_Wonka"},"datePublished":"2024-05-02T15:21:24.000Z","text":"Someone in admin might want to explain to me why yet another kindle book on Palestine was allowed to be posted as a deal with comments blocked that wasn't even a deal. It was £2.99 for a kindle book & has been £2.99 since it was launched at the start of the year.
Despite reporting it, because it is not a deal & therefore against the rules of HUKDs, it still remains. It is a prime example of the double standards of admin & also shows the side of the fence whoever looked at report & the selective nature of there moderation.
Also, something that came to light, yet again, is established members cold voting as soon as deals are posted regardless of the deal itself. I suggest all admin & \"special\" members have their ability to vote on deals removed. I suspect that will solve the issue."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52570914","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Onlydongles"},"datePublished":"2024-04-13T09:47:37.000Z","text":"Lets just agree that 90 % of deals posted here are adverts, at RRP offers. Which is where HUKD receives money.
The rest 10 % maybe deals in some people's eyes and related flip side comments on \"those\" deals . So all the mod's (revenue protection agents) comments and actions are geared towards protecting those revenue streams form advertisers and any adverse comments about those \"special Offers\" are summarily removed.
Nuff said."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52568737","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"SidViscous"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T19:47:12.000Z","text":"\"We’d like to spend more time reaching out and engaging with you to understand how things are going, explain our point of view, and generally have more quality conversations. move the needle with our communities from ‘moderation’ (reactive) to ‘community management’ (proactive),\"
A - My daughter created her account and posted a deal, one day later it was banned. Emails went unanswered. Why are we not allowing two family members having account at same IP address? I did ask this before but never got a response.
B - It's been nearly three years since we are not allowed to share under finance and savings. Initial response was that you are getting permission / licence from Financial authorities. Will it ever be allowed back to share or not?
Thank you Sorry this may seem off topic, but it's really need an answer."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559619","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Moss.b"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T13:01:00.000Z","text":"Should call it pepper pants."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52561395","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"howbord"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T17:20:31.000Z","text":"Lets see if I can comment on this thread without being moderated "},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52716822","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"HDUK2022"},"datePublished":"2024-05-09T05:59:53.000Z","text":"What do the Management think of the overwhelming opinion of most HDUK members, that the Moderation Policy is causing widespread annoyance ?
This is an on topic, polite question that should not be removed"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559574","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chlorine_juice"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T12:54:40.000Z","text":"For the first time I got a survey popup on bottom right asking about my HUKD experience. And how the colours orange and grey make me feel Is this something separate from this new project?"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52565267","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"almas09"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T10:10:22.000Z","text":"All too PC.. or am i not allowed to say this?"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52559966","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"The2Time"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T13:48:51.000Z","text":"
STYLE - we want transparent and clear communication, so everyone knows where they stand
Yes good point, so please update us on this thread instead of ignoring everyones questions.
hotukdeals.com/sha…400"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52562692","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"bigweapon07"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T20:43:06.000Z","text":"About time. Only other day arguing with mods over a light hearted joke to put smiles on people's faces and got the door slammed in my face as it was off topic."},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52562993","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Meathotukdeals"},"datePublished":"2024-04-11T21:34:00.000Z","text":"You can see \"in box\" messages?"},{"@type":"Comment","@id":"https://www.hotukdeals.com/comments/permalink/52563579","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Nexy"},"datePublished":"2024-04-12T00:28:56.000Z","text":"At the risk of this getting overly meta... Is this thread being moderated under the old code or new? (We've used words here that wouldn't be allowed previously, but it does say it starts next week.)
When a comment is deleted, is the commentor notified by PM? Is there policy (change) on this?"}],"commentCount":592,"interactionStatistic":340,"articleSection":"Official Announcements"}