# Why am I seeing blue dots after a thread title

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858>\
**Category:** Site Feedback\
**Created:** [September 6, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858 "2026-09-06T15:06:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858/1 "2026-09-06T15:06:45Z")

</div>

When I see a list of threads for a board, I’m seeing a blue dot after the title of various threads. This is new. Why is it happening?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858/2 "2026-09-06T15:09:00Z")

</div>

OK , if I hover over the dot it says “new topic.” Mods, you can delete my question.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858/3 "2026-09-06T16:30:45Z")

</div>

I wondered about that too, until I clicked on one and saw it had no responses yet.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2026, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858/4 "2026-09-06T19:06:04Z")

</div>

What theme are you using? I’ve been seeing these for years using Straight Dope light.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\
**Post date:** [September 7, 2026, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-seeing-blue-dots-after-a-thread-title/1032858/5 "2026-09-07T14:45:24Z")

</div>

I’m using Sam’s Simple Theme