𝑷𝑰𝑬𝑹𝑹𝑶𝑻 ♡

Tumblr users at 00:00 on March 15th:

The reblog chain is one of the things that makes Tumblr unlike anywhere else. All the notes on reblogs are attributed to the original post, no matter which branch people actually liked or reblogged. We want to keep encouraging conversations, and give contributors the recognition they deserve. 

Soon, you'll be able to like, reblog, or reply to any part of a reblog chain, and that note will go to that reblog's author. Each reblog will have its own counts, instead of one aggregated number from every version of the post. And yes, you’ll be able to like multiple posts in one chain.

If a reblog doesn't add anything, the love flows up to the last person in the chain who did. Your post doesn't lose notes just because people spread it quietly.

Past notes will stay on the original post — we're only changing what happens from here on out. Retroactively re-attributing all of them would be... a lot.

We rolled out a significant change to how notes work on reblogs, and the reaction has been strong. We're not going to pretend otherwise. 

First things first: We're reversing the change. Your feedback in comments, emails, and especially reblogs, made clear that the rollout created problems we need to address before moving forward. We also should have communicated this differently from the start, and we didn't.

We still believe there's a better version of how reblogs can work. One that gives every voice in a chain the credit it deserves. But we want to get there with you.

In the coming days we'll share more on how we plan to do that,  including ways to work directly with some of you on this and future changes before they ship.

That said, while not to damper our celebration, the fight's not over yet.

Tumblr ownership has made it loud and clear that they do not understand the fundamental principles of this site.

They do not understand what it provides for artists and creatives and bloggers and fandoms. They do not understand that the site's infrastructure is not and will never be compatible with the business models of Twitter and Bluesky. The fact they're still arguing there's a "better version of reblogs" out there is indicative of that.

Reblogs are fine. No one was asking for fixes to reblogs. The way reblogs worked before this change is the platform's greatest asset and the entire reason we use this site over all the other ones on the Internet. You are trying to fix something that is not even broken.

We need fixes to the Community guidelines and systems that constantly flag posts that aren't violating any rules.

We need tangible non-invasive fixes to the filters that bots are constantly able to sneak past which allows them to bombard the site with spam, porn, and scams.

And most of all, we need fixes to staff oversight so that reports about these issues don't constantly get swept under the rug.

This is a symptom of a much bigger issue - Tumblr keeps implementing site-breaking changes that contradict the point of Tumblr without actually consulting or understanding their community first. They're constantly taking the "it's better to ask for forgiveness than it is to ask for permission" route and it's destroying any trust and stability we have in the platform.

We need @photomatt and everyone who works for him @staff @changes to quit viewing Tumblr as a "failure" just because he keeps trying to force a Tumblr-shaped object into a Wordpress-shaped hole. He's completely devaluing and misunderstanding Tumblr's greatest strengths as a community-driven platform and until he does - or until he sells the platform to someone who can - he and his company that oversees Tumblr's development will keep making the same mistakes.

We don't need an adjustment of the reblog system or the core aspects of what makes Tumblr unique. We need an adjustment of the attitudes that are failing to see those aspects and undermining them at every turn.

as if they were holding your hand

Harlequin

The grip is confident, almost possessive, with fingers clasped tightly together as if they have no intention of letting go. There is energy and impulsiveness in this gesture, as if to say, “I'm holding you, so you're with me.”

Jester

This is not a rough grasp, but a playful intertwining—a light, almost dance-like touch. The fingers are bent gently, as if the gesture is accompanied by a binary smile or bow.

Doctor

The grip is calm and supportive, not squeezing, but holding. The fingers gently wrap around yours, as if checking your pulse or simply letting you feel his beloved patient nearby.

Ticket Taker

Here, the gesture is more formal and gentle. The fingers are not intertwined, but touch each other lightly. It resembles a gallant touch or a polite gesture of accompaniment.

Pierrot