I’ve just found out, I now need to write a minimumof 50 words when applying for a sit.
Again, another new rule simply not needed.
If Ive done a sit several times, I dont need 50 words or more to re-introduce myself.
More website madness.
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THS seems to change things in a reactive rather than proactive way. I’m going to guess this is due to too many people applying to be among the first five on competititve sits with no message or a very short one,and then writing a more personalized messge after one has applied. I can imagine those sitters that do this will simply prepare a 50-cut and paste message.
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I don’t really care about the new requirement for minimum 50-word applications (which ev bots can as easily fire off as the 2-3 word ones). However, I find it rather annoying that members are not informed about the implementation of changes and only find out about them through jungle telegraph
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I think it’s fair to use minimum 50 words. Allows sitters to offer a full complete application vs bot-like application.
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How does THS, if they are so inclined, to get rid of bots 
How does THS find these bots?
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How does this minimum work when being invited privately to a sit, to which you then need to apply? We already have an established relationship.
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@PetSitterBug,
I encountered the very situation you´re describing only a couple of weeks ago. Didn´t have to write a word. All I needed to do was to accept the dates
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It is not 50 words, just 50 characters. That’s easy to get around 
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THIS SUCKS. Another solution looking for a problem. 
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Exactly xxxxxxxxxxxx (ten characters)
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Except for those of us who want to write a thoughtful application and still get a chance with the 5 application limit.
Edited to meet posting terms
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I just ran a word count in my WP of a recent application -
214 words, 1114 characters including spaces, 907 characters excluding spaces.
Even if I am reapplying for a sit and just updating I can’t imagine writing less than 50 words.
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Hello everyone,
I just wanted to let you know that this was introduced as members did not like that applications or invites could be sent with no message. This was common feedback from the community, so minimal characters were introduced so that all applications and invites had to include a message.
I hope that helps clarify things for you 
Thank you!
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Opps. My applications run into 1000s usually. It’s very easy when you have to write about experience, history, expectations etc.
Invites from previous pet owners don’t usually have that criteria as we have already got a message history and it comes into that message column, not a new one.
I for one think it’s a good thing. Gives the pet owners some idea about the sitters personality and thought system if they have to string a few hundred words into a coherent paragraph.
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Thank you for the information. One wonders if blank applications were a thing before the five application limit?
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Hi @Berna
A few weeks ago I opened a second tab with a listing I liked but I got a ‘please verify you are human by clicking this box’ followed by a request to complete a captcha before the listing page opened. I have only had this happen once though so maybe THS are testing this still.
A post was merged into an existing topic: Five Applications Pausing Discussion Post
Hello everyone just to keep this topic on track about ‘new minimum 50 words when applying rule’ feel free to head over to this topic to discuss the 5 pausing rule. Thanks!
Yes, blank applications certainly have become a thing since the 5 application limit. Before the 5 appl limit…not sure; never heard of them previously. Only in past 1.5 year
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