Dear performer friends,

are you aware of this recent addition to the features in your room, the "Forward Arrow"?
When hovering over your video screen it appears and invites to be transported to a next, random model.

There has been a vivid discussion amongst members and we would like your opinion on this. I try to summarize some opinions here. You'll find further below some original posts and comments by VS admins, so we don't have to repeat everything.

Pro-Arrow
[1] option of quickly changing the room; "browsing models", when you have nobody specific on mind, getting to know models you might never have visited from the main page
[2] other sites have it, too; the placing of this needs to be "obvious"
[3] only visible on hovering over the video screen
[4] useful, not obstrusive, the randomness is great
[5] it allows for more models to be viewed; noticable increase of viewers in some rooms
[6] hovering over the thumbnail on the main page is annoying compared to the new feature

Contra
[1] unnecessary addition, waste of resources, distracting, disruptive, annoying, invasive since it appears and disappears each time you hover over the video screen
[2] accidentally clicking on it has been reported by several members , in particular for people with large fingers and touch screens; you miss out on the fun going on
[3] it doesn't even vanish in neither party nor groups and apparently not even in private shows,
[4] disrespectful to members and models, implying they are easily interchangeable
[5] there are already ways to change rooms; the new arrows don't work that well (redirected to the same room ...)
[6] encouraging more "browsers" discouraging loyalty

Suggestions made so far include to make it smaller and less central on the screen to avoid some of the difficulties reported by the contra fraction and keep the freshness this new feature offers to most members. It could e.g. be integrated into the existing "Rooms" tab on the panel on the right hand side.

Here some (anonymous, just in case) extracts from original posts:
I find it "distracting" and I've already accidently used it twice!! I KNOW HOW to go to another Model, why do I need to be "taken", make that "Shanghai'd", there when I don't really want to leave.
Perhaps it isnt "inconvenient" to only a "single customer"... As for me, I am just more cautious with where my cursor is hovering around now... I dont care abut this feature that it is there.. but as well, I will not cry if it disappears..
The arrow implies that performers are nondescript and completely interchangeable. It's disrespectful to models and site members, and it suggests that site administrators hold a rather "bovine-esque" view of both. "Move 'em on out!" Moo!
why are they not putting a great big yellow bar under the arrow? Can they not learn from data of more purposeful room selections? Russian roulette anyone? It's like self mutilation, saying 'I want to be redirected'.
I must admit that I did use it. It is something to do in chat rooms that do not want us to chat. I get to hit a button, I get to hit a button.
I like the idea of an option to move to the next room quickly while I'm at a chat room(rather than go back to homepage & search), I find it on other cam sites and wondered why flirt didnt have it. The arrow is visible only when I hover over to the right of the model screen so it isn't obtrusive to me but I understand there's still a chance one could click it on error..maybe the arrow could be smaller in size? but still a very useful feature.
[...]
Yes I forgot to mention it's randomness of this feature that I like. Sometimes I don't have anybody specific in mind and prefer to be directed randomly to a room where I can then judge if to go ahead for a chat or show, or click next again and move on.

I can remember there was a button on the chat page ( think it was below your favourites list ) that you could press to go to a random room. That would be preferable to the 2 arrows on the video feed.

The "swipe" arrows are not that welcome and don't work all that well.

I've caught the arrow right and the random room it sent me to was the same 1 I was already in. Other experiments of the buttons have put me into a new room only to refresh back to original room.

As for the left button that doesn't take you back to previous room which would be better.

honestly - i thought i was seeing things when this popped up - wasn't sure what it was or when it showed up. I have noticed an increase in new users / unfamiliar names in my fav model's room (which is good for her) but at the same time - I can see the issues that have been presented coming up - ie encouraging more "browsers" discouraging loyalty to a particular model, etc...

I would suggest that as a part of the decision to keep it or not - ask the models what they think. After all they are the ones who make the money for the site and are most impacted by this -


Comments by VS admins so far:
Thank you all for your feedback. This feature came about during a Friday afternoon project so it wasn't a huge amount of effort that delayed other site features and improvements.

For now we're going to keep this test going. Our intent is to keep it as unobtrusive as possible so that for those who don't enjoy the feature don't need to use it.
[..]
The chat interface is some of the most contested real estate on the site and everything must work in concert at various screen sizes including mobile. Using hidden buttons that appear on hover on top of the video makes the best use of the real estate leaving other spots open for things that change based on show types, special promotions, etc.
[...]
Sorry that you hate it so much. It only appears when you hover over the video which is certainly not a requirement for using the site. There's another thread where people have chimed in on this with their opinions as well.


In Summary, mostly people loyal to a small number of favorites seem to dislike the feature and guys in for something new or without a specific plan for their visit appreciate the addition.

NOW: what do YOU think?
Have a great day, ya'all,
Chris Quote

Very well present and explained Chris. This shows the whole problem and the evidence is there. Being honest I hate the arrow and think it is an insult to models, but I can understand there will be differences of opinion. My question would be what would happen in the event of an accidental push in an offer pvt where tye credits are now taken at the start and how to get into it again Quote

lets start with this , i didnt read this much when i been in school lmao! ! and i have to agree what u said, pro not really lol! good post Chris! have a good day hon!
Quote

I have a model friend that wants to switch fro m working for a studio, to working directly for F4F. He is unsure how to do this. Can anybody help point him in the right direction. He is in Colombia and really is a good guy and the studio is not treating him well. I really want to help him out. Thanks for any help you can offer...
David a loyal customer Quote