Open-front toilet seats are almost exclusively installed on toilets in public bathrooms or commercial spaces. But they were never the norm in private homes, where closed (O-shaped) seats were the norm.

Some of the most common arguments on social media relate to hygiene – for example, front-opening seats reduce the chances of the user’s more sensitive body parts coming into contact with the toilet, and also reduce the chances of urine splashing or dripping into the area. Others argue that it's more about comfort, and claim that more spacious public restrooms are often large enough to accommodate more ergonomic seating, which may be "more flexible" or accommodate more types of users than seating in smaller private bathrooms that are less frequently used. Some also believe that because front opening seats have less surface area, they are more cost-effective to produce, clean or maintain.

But the one that makes the most sense is the official explanation provided by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Open front seats reduce the chance of germs spreading between people.