# Do you think it's okay to bump a GQ thread? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 19, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089 "2004-10-19T19:16:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/1 "2004-10-19T19:16:34Z")
I’ve had a few of GQ threads come out still-born, going into oblivion with zero responses, which always concerns me. It especially concerns me right now because the thread that’s currently dead in the water has to do with something relevant to my work and the possible measuring or misrepresentation of public opinion and how it affects policy. Since I don’t intend this to be a backdoor bump (band name!), I’m not linking to it. I’m just curious whether you guys think it’s a faux pas to bump a GQ thread. What do you think? ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/2 "2004-10-19T20:09:51Z")
I know repeatedly bumping a thread is frowned upon, but bumping a thread with a more difficult or obscure question which possibly also slid off the front page too soon, seems fine to me. I’ve bumped a thread which received zero replies over the weekend, but did get a response once Monday rolled around. As suggested, I also clarified my question a bit, since I think it initially covered too large of a scope of possible answers. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/3 "2004-10-19T20:11:40Z")
Bump it and/or cross reference to it in another as applicable. Nothing wrong with a little self-promotion (contingent on board rules i.e. the thread isn’t more than three months old et al). ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2004, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/4 "2004-10-19T21:13:43Z")
You’ve been around long enough to know if it’s ok. If there is a good chance that someone could answer it after another go around through page 1, I don’t see a problem with it. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/5 "2004-10-20T13:49:46Z")
> [@KidCharlemagne](#): > > You’ve been around long enough to know if it’s ok. Actually, it’s one of those things I’ve never been sure of. Thanks for the advice. Patience is a virtue, however, as somebody replied to it last night. I’ve learned two good lessons! ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/6 "2004-10-20T17:18:22Z")
I bump once. After that, I figure I’ve stumped you guys or I’ve asked an unimportant boring question. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2004, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-its-okay-to-bump-a-gq-thread/270089/7 "2004-10-20T17:23:03Z")
From the FAQ: > [@](#): > > “Bumping” a thread > > * * * > > If you start a thread, and after a while think you would like more comments on it, you may be tempted to “bump” the thread by adding a post to make the thread reappear back at the top of the forum list. We strongly discourage this practice, but since the boards are so busy sometimes a single “bump” will bring about good results. Our guidelines: > Wait until a suitable time has elapsed (at least until your thread is no longer visible on the first page of the forum) > Bump your thread only once > Do not make a habit of always bumping each of your threads. > > When you bump your thread, it is preferrable to include additional information relevant to the original post, which may help encourage posters to respond. > > What if I want to continue / add to the discussion on a topic that was mentioned in an old thread? > > Start a new thread with a link to the old thread. A general guideline for “old” would be a thread older than three months.