Show Spoiler Content on 'Like'

Contribute Feature

AI-generated summary

A user, Monikas, proposes a new feature for Discourse: revealing spoiler content when a user clicks the ‘Like’ button. The goal is to boost engagement and add gamification, letting posters control sensitive content while rewarding interaction. JammyDodger raises a concern: users may not know whether to like a post if they can’t see its content first. Lhc_fl notes that similar features existed on Discuz!, where likes tied into a user-level system with privileges — a structure Discourse lacks. In Discourse, likes are mostly symbolic and only loosely tied to trust levels, making the proposed feature’s incentive model less aligned with current platform mechanics. The suggestion is framed as a fun, interactive enhancement, but its practicality and user motivation remain debated.

1

Hello Discourse Team,

I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to suggest a new feature for Discourse that could enhance user interaction and engagement on our forums.

Feature Suggestion:

I propose the addition of a functionality where clicking the ‘Like’ button reveals spoiler content. This feature would work as follows:

A user posts content with a spoiler tag.
Other users see a ‘Spoiler’ placeholder in place of the hidden content.
When a user clicks the ‘Like’ button on the post, the spoiler content is revealed to them.
Benefits:

Increased Engagement: Users will be encouraged to interact more with posts, knowing that a simple like can unveil hidden content.
Enhanced User Experience: This adds an element of gamification, making the forums more interactive and fun.
Content Control: Original posters can share sensitive or critical information in a controlled manner, ensuring that only engaged users access it.
Implementation Considerations:

image
image1238×892 174 KB

The image appears to be a user interface or web page with various navigation links and options, including "The base game" and "Saved games" sections, along with a purple button or icon containing Japanese characters, and an animated character or avatar inviting the user to "click Like" if they enjoy the content. (Captioned by AI)
The image appears to be a user interface or web page with various navigation links and options, including "The base game" and "Saved games" sections, along with a purple button or icon containing Japanese characters, and an animated character or avatar inviting the user to "click Like" if they enjoy the content. (Captioned by AI)1160×755 70.7 KB

I believe this feature would be a valuable addition to Discourse and would significantly improve the way users interact with spoiler content.

Best regards

3 Likes
Ability to hide content from subsets of users using BBCode
2

I think one of the conflicts would be that you’re asking people to Like a post they cannot see. How would they know whether they like it or not without viewing it?

3 Likes
3

This feature was once a popular “paywall” on Discuz!

But I don’t really understand whether it makes sense on Discourse. Discuz! often has a user level system (unlike trust level, it is more like a game with 100 levels), and upgrades are made through user activity, likes, or points. Level is directly related to some privileges.

But Discourse does not have this feature (likes are involved in TL upgrades, but it is very easy), and likes are almost just spiritual encouragement.

2 Likes