Do new link rules mean that external links (e.g., to Amazon) will no longer be possible in this group? (answered)

[Liralen]

I think most of us have seen the email or posts or both about this, but for anyone who hasn't, here's the recent update from Goodreads:

What's Changing?
• Direct messages between individual members will no longer be available
• Images and external links will no longer be supported in messages

While direct messages between individual members are no longer available, you can still access your past messages from your inbox, Group moderators can still send broadcast messages to their group members, and you can still send group invitations to your Goodreads friends. All other public interactions, such as writing and responding to book reviews, remain unchanged.

I assume this is happening because of spam and other unsolicited links. However, this has direct ramifications on what we're able to do in this group. Is this really to say that users will no longer be able to link to Amazon (which—this must be noted—owns Goodreads), to WorldCat, to any of the many acceptable sources for cover and book data?

I really don't mean to be dramatic, but this will severely impact what librarians are able (and willing) to do in pursuit of correcting book data. Is there a plan to address this?

[David]

While Liralen's assumption to the reason why Goodreads is enacting those changes seem reasonable, I would appreciate it if someone from Goodreads could write out the reason(s) and give some details.

I assumed when I first read the mail the changes only apply to messages sent from and to the inbox. Does it also apply to messages in groups/forums?

Is there some group/forum users can give feedback to this (and other) changes?

[Liralen]

David wrote: "While Liralen's assumption to the reason why Goodreads is enacting those changes seem reasonable, I would appreciate it if someone from Goodreads could write out the reason(s) and give some details..."

Yes, that's why I'm asking. I can't tell from the email that was sent out, and I've seen a number of posts (on different groups) discussing the same thing. It hadn't occurred to me that this might affect group messages until I saw those posts, but...well, it's still not clear to me!

[Liralen]

Note: Jaclyn has responded here that links in group messages will still be possible: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Removing the @ from the header since this has been answered (thanks, Jaclyn!).

[David]

Liralen wrote: "Note: Jaclyn has responded here that links in group messages will still be possible: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/..."

That is very good news. Thanks for the link!