IMDb is shutting down its popular message boards and the ability for users to privately message each other. This is down to a combination of waning interest and the tenacity of trolls. Those who use the IMDb message boards are understandably annoyed at their demise.

IMDb is an incredible resource for anyone who watches movies, featuring a repository of information about pretty much every movie ever made. If you want to know who starred in La La Land, or who provided the voices in Finding Dory, IMDb has the answer.

The main IMDb pages detail movie plots, catalog cast lists, and aggregate review scores. However, IMDb has also provided an exciting and eclectic mix of message boards for people to discuss movies and more. Sadly, the IMDb message boards are shutting down.

This Is the End

The IMDb message boards will cease to be on February 20, 2017. This, according to IMDb, gives users enough time to archive their content and exchange contact information. In announcing the closure, IMDb explained:

"After in-depth discussion and examination, we have concluded that IMDb's message boards are no longer providing a positive, useful experience for the vast majority of our more than 250 million monthly users worldwide."

"The decision to retire a long-standing feature was made only after careful consideration and was based on data and traffic."

While IMDb doesn't make specific reference to trolls, it's clearly inferred that negativity was at least partly to blame. IMDb faced a choice between leaving its message boards festering with hate, or employing moderators to keep the peace. Instead it chose to eradicate the problem altogether.

A Troll in Central Park

IMDb has ready-made replacements in the form of its social media accounts. People who used to post on the message boards can simply decamp to Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube, and/or Tumblr. But don't be surprised if the internet trolls eventually show up there too.

Are you a fan of IMDb? Did you ever use the IMDb message boards? Did you notice the quality of conversation declining recently? Do you support IMDb killing its message boards? Or has the site handed victory to the trolls? Please let us know in the comments below!