The batch-merge checkboxes in overview, release, recording, work pages facilitate bad editing: they mean an editor does not open the relevant entity pages before submitting a merge, meaning they will skip, for example, any annotation explaining why a release is not the same as the other and should not be merged, or the info about how two "The Best of Band Name" are actually completely different compilations even if released the same year.

IMO this is a bigger drawback than the time it saves (it really doesn't take too long to open each page, make sure it is good to merge, then clicking "Merge").

It's also confusing for new users: https://chatlogs.metabrainz.org/brainzbot/metabrainz/msg/4015181/