bumping

Bumping is the act of reviving a post, thread, or listing by adding a new message or updating it so it appears higher in a list or search results. The goal is to draw attention back to content that has become less visible as new items are posted.

In forums and message boards, bumping is commonly used to keep discussions active or to solicit new input. It can involve replying with additional information, clarifications, or updates, or sometimes editing the original post to add a note. Necroposting refers to reviving an old thread after a long period of inactivity. Many communities discourage low-effort bumps and moderators may remove such posts or warn users.

In classified ads and marketplaces, bumping raises a listing toward the top of results or category pages. This practice is widespread on free listing sites and can be governed by rules such as minimum intervals between bumps or the use of paid bump features.

On social media and messaging platforms, bumping can take the form of nudges, reposts, or edits intended to reappear in others’ feeds. Some platforms provide explicit bump features or allow users to refresh a post’s visibility through technical means or paid options.

Ethical use of bumping involves adding meaningful updates or information, rather than merely repeating the same message. When used excessively or to manipulate visibility, bumping can annoy other users or breach platform guidelines.