Hacker News user ColinWright posted a poll asking how often readers visit the /newest page, the feed that surfaces submissions before they earn front‑page upvotes. The question aims to gauge whether early voters actually browse the stream or rely solely on the main page. Respondents could choose from several frequency options ranging from multiple times daily to never, and informs how early visibility is built.

The poll attracted 21 votes, with 61 points awarded to the “Very rarely” option, 58 points to “Never,” and 21 points to “Multiple times per day.” Other choices split the remaining votes. Commenters noted selection bias—users who check newest are also more likely to upvote early—while some pointed out the “Show Dead” setting influences visibility. This reflects how voting patterns form.

Regular visitors use /newest to spot stories that miss the front page due to timing or niche appeal, as several commenters explained. Others rely on third‑party aggregators that filter the stream. The poll’s results highlight a split community: a minority scans the newest feed actively, while the majority rarely or never does, shaping the site’s early‑vote dynamics. Thus the front‑page algorithm relies heavily on them.