Necroposts

Necroposting is the practice of replying to a discussion thread after a long period of inactivity, effectively reviving the conversation. The term combines necro- meaning dead with post, reflecting the thread’s prior dormancy. It occurs across various online spaces, including forums, imageboards, and Q&A sites.

The impact of necroposting varies by community and context. On one hand, reviving a thread can bring new information, updates, or clarifications that are still relevant. On the other hand, it can disrupt ongoing discussions, push old content back into visibility, and mislead readers who encounter outdated responses as current. Moderation policies differ widely: some communities view necroposts as acceptable if they contribute value, while others discourage or automatically prune them to keep content fresh and relevant. Some platforms also differentiate between a meaningful necropost and a low-effort bump that serves only to attract attention.

Best practices for necroposting emphasize relevance and value. If a user chooses to revive an old thread, they should add substantial, up-to-date information, sources, or a thoughtful analysis that justifies reopening the discussion. It is often helpful to clearly reference why the thread is being revived and how the topic has changed since its last activity. When possible, creating a new thread with a link to the older discussion can be a more transparent alternative, especially if the topic has evolved or requires new context.