Why do old threads reappear

Often scammers resurrect old posts. I always read the last page on a thread just to be sure

I read the thread - especially the date it was originally posted. As GMB says a scammer has usually been at work, that post removed by GNHQ, but it’s re-activated the thread, putting it back on the current list.

Sometimes they are interesting but I don’t know why they don’t just start a new post on a similar topic. It is annoying when you realise they are a couple of years old ( or more )

Mainly done by scammers. Sometimes by the OP to tell us the final result if she has sought advice on a problem (family, decor, clothes)

Not necessarily scammers but certainly spammers using bots to create GN accounts to push products.

The bot scans old posts looking for keywords. It uses AI to create a seemingly relevant post and inserts a link to the product they are trying to sell into the post.

The context of the thread and the product being pushed are often unrelated. If someone is pushing, say, a video game, the bot might pick up on any word vaguely linked to gaming.

The top four words linked to gaming are: streaming, play, computer and competition. So any threads about colds, digital TV, grandchildren coming round to play, issues with a computer or maybe entering or winning a competition could be picked up and spammed.

As GN is post-moderated and relies on members to report spam, often the spam post will sit there until it has been reported, removed and the spambot account blocked.

Meantime, genuine members come along, think the post is genuine and respond to that post or ones before it.

The clue is that the ID of the poster is often a name like alanbrown, charlesdavies, edwardfinch and the post will contain a link to a website selling a product.

It is really annoying. I read something the other day from GSM and thought "oh, goody, she is back", then discovered that it was several years old. Disappointing.

And what was that rubbish earlier on today in what was possibly a foreign language? Why wasn't it deleted?

Have seen those strange language threads as well.

My Nigerian Prince hasn’t pmd me in a while🤭
I always check the dates on a thread, you don’t want to waste your time being helpful on a ten year old thread.
Mainly revived by spammers.

My Nigerian Prince hasn’t pmd me in a while🤭

My Nigerian Prince wrote me a letter 🤨 not had one of them for a long time

It could be scammers but more often or no I think people look at the threads and decide to reply to them without noticing the date on the original post.

Thanks everyone for explaining. I shall be more vigilant next time.