topic Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts? in Forums feedback and updates

What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

ProjectTeam — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 03:39:42 GMT

Hello everyone,

Some of you may know that when making posts on the forums you are limited to 2,500 characters. We'd love your feedback on this, so we have two questions for you.

How do you feel about the current character limit?
How would you feel if there was no limit at all?

We would love to hear your thoughts.

Project Team
Beyond Blue

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

tranzcrybe — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 11:06:11 GMT

Oooh I love questionnaires...

OP : unlimited

- this is, after all, the space to get everything off your chest!

Replies: First 500 characters FREE,

the rest charged per data byte (with proceeds preferably passed onto members for their fortitude... teehee).

Are there any prizes for the correct answer?

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

ProjectTeam — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:18:19 GMT

There are no incorrect or correct answers tranzcrybe!

That's an interesting idea to apply a limit to replies, but have no limit for the first post in the thread. We may know why you've suggested that, but we'd love to understand why you have, in your own words.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Hanna3 — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 05:25:12 GMT

No limit sounds great but maybe some people could get a bit carried away and write too much for other people to have the time to read, and/or it could mean moderating the posts takes more time.

I think a reasonable limit would be around 3500 to 4000 - I am running out of word count in replies at 2500 and I'm finding this too short for a very comprehensive reply so a bit more room to maoeuvre would be good.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Fiatlux — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 05:58:18 GMT

The character limit is fine, especially if you are reaching out for immediate support.

It’s easy to read and engage with shorter posts and well formatted text.

It can be difficult to read large blocks of text for some of us oldies, where there are no line breaks or paragraphs.

When I post, even in Socials, I try to consider the reader and abbreviate where possible.

Once you receive replies, it’s easy to add more detail directly to the respondent.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Croix — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 12:30:53 GMT

Dear ProjectTeam~

I have my own views on this but do not wish to influence the free flow of ideas from members so will confine my self to two observations (if technically feasible) that go hand in hand with any judgment on length of posts:

Firstly all characters, punctuation, spaces and emoji should have the same value, i.e. one character
Secondly there needs to be a running total visible as one writes so one can judge how to fit things in.

(A less system-intensive version of the second point would instead be to include the character count when an error message comes up saying a post exceeds the limit so one can judge how much to prune)

Croix

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

tranzcrybe — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 03:34:28 GMT

Fair enough, we are all winners!

I'll just have to settle for a 'participation award' then...

"We may know why you've suggested that, but we'd love to understand why you have,..."

...hm, and I would LOVE to understand your evaluation of my thinking, but the interpretation of posts is entirely at the discretion of the reader (as I have well learned) to accept, reject, or ignore; as such, I offer my opinion at face value for what it is worth and without expectation.

I am happy to compare notes, but this is beyond the scope of this forum.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

ProjectTeam — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 05:46:41 GMT

Hi Hanna3,

Thanks for your feedback on this.

How the post length might affect the time it takes to moderate the post isn't something we had thought about.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

ProjectTeam — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 05:53:56 GMT

Hi Fiatlux,

Thanks for your feedback.

I find large blocks of text with no line breaks or paragraphs difficult to read too. I think that's a challenge at any age!

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Hanna3 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:33:55 GMT

I don't know how they are moderated - through a computer? But yes I wondered if this might be more time consuming?

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Hanna3 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:36:00 GMT

Yes please, if we can't have a running total for sure we need a character count - at the moment we are told we are over the word limit but not by how much and it's a nightmare trying to trim back what you wrote when you have no idea how much you need to remove.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Hanna3 — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:37:41 GMT

I always write with paragraph breaks until now when I have discovered these breaks take up my character length! I never write in large blocks of text, it's too difficult for people to read.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

ProjectTeam — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:43:49 GMT

Hi Croix,

Thanks for sharing your observations.

We can see how those two changes would make the experience of posting simpler and easier.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

ProjectTeam — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:58:57 GMT

Hi Hanna3,

All posts are initially filtered through an automated system. A small number of these posts then go on to be manually reviewed by our moderators. You can learn more about this process here.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

blondguy — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 13:32:26 GMT

Thankyou Project team for the topic!

I have noticed a small number of members that aren't happy with the current post limit. Interesting.

* People experiencing even low levels of mental health issues have difficulty concentrating on a lengthy

2000+ word post.

* We must focus on mental health here. I avoid reading long posts (essays) as my concentration is limited

having a long term anxiety illness.

* Special thanks to members that provide paragraph breaks when posting...Excellent😀

my kindest always

Paul

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Happylife — Mon, 13 May 2024 03:18:22 GMT

Hi ProjectTeam,

Having character limit is fine but would be better if it is extended to atleast 4000 characters.

It's definitely easier to read and remember shorter posts but I do understand some of the topics have to be lengthy.

Line breaks or paragraphs are very useful and important as people may not have time to read very long posts and also helps you when replying as you tend to forget some of the points mentioned in the posts.

Another suggestion - it's good to highlight certain words or sentences in bold or using colours so that it's easy to grab attention of the reader.

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Croix — Mon, 13 May 2024 13:34:19 GMT

Dear Happylife~

Having been answering posts for a long time I do find there is a limit as to what should be said in the first post. If there are too many issues then it becomes very difficult to answer them all - in fact impossible. This can lead to some important matters not being addressed.

A person is not limited to just one post of 2,500 characters, but may, after someone has responded, continue on with more of their story for another 2,500 characters, and so on. Questions can always be asked in response to amplify what has been said.

This 2,500 char length has the advantages not only is the reader not so likely to be overwhelmed with a huge post, but there is more chance of each single issue being talked about in time, wiht little missed out

Finally it allows persons such as myself to more evenly balance their time, rather than attempting to answer the one poster during a whole session, I can answer several, and of course go back to each in hte next session if they wish to continue to talk.

Actually there is another thing, over time a poster's desire what to talk about may change, perhaps as a result of some replies and suggestions, and doing this over several post makes this more possible. It becomes a conversation rather than everything at once.

I do agree there is a place for bold or italics or underling at times, and certainly using paragraph breaks makes things a lot easier.

Croix

Re: What do you think of the current character limit for posts?

Roger — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:40:56 GMT

In a space like Beyond Blue, where the act of writing can be an act of healing, the character limit feels like a strange constraint. Here, people are not just posting thoughts—they are reaching out, often in pain, confusion, or hope. In this context, openness is not just a feature of the forum; it’s its very foundation.

A fixed character count may unintentionally interrupt the flow of someone trying to express something difficult or deeply personal. The process of putting emotions into words can take time, and space. When a person is finally able to speak, it seems unkind to then say: only this much, no more.

Of course, moderation is necessary to ensure safety and mutual respect. But the length of a post is not in itself a danger. Those who need to speak at length should be able to do so. And those who do not wish to read long posts can simply move on. That’s the beauty of a forum—it allows for different rhythms, different needs, different voices.

>In my view, removing or greatly increasing the character limit would make the space feel more therapeutic, more supportive, and more aligned with the kind of care that Beyond Blue represents. Expression should not be curtailed where expression is the point.