Community Guidelines

Last Updated: February 7, 2026

Core Principles

1. Be Respectful and Kind

• Treat others as you would want to be treated in person
• Disagree constructively without personal attacks
• Remember there's a real person behind every post
• Welcome newcomers and help them feel at home

2. Keep It Local and Relevant

• Focus on topics that matter to your local community
• Share information that helps neighbors make informed decisions
• Post in the appropriate channels and neighborhoods
• Avoid off-topic content or spam

3. Be Truthful and Accurate

• Verify information before sharing, especially about local issues
• Correct mistakes when you become aware of them
• Clearly distinguish opinion from fact
• Cite sources for important claims when possible

4. Protect Privacy

• Don't share others' personal information without permission
• Be thoughtful about what you share publicly
• Respect boundaries in photos and posts about others
• Keep private conversations private

What's Not Allowed

Harmful Content

• Hate Speech: Content that attacks people based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or other protected characteristics
• Harassment or Bullying: Targeted abuse, intimidation, or threats toward individuals or groups
• Violence: Threats, promotion, or glorification of violence
• Illegal Activity: Content promoting or facilitating illegal activities

Misleading Content

• Misinformation: Deliberately false information, especially about civic matters, health, or safety
• Impersonation: Pretending to be someone else or creating fake accounts
• Scams or Fraud: Deceptive schemes to defraud community members

Disruptive Content

• Spam: Excessive promotional content or repetitive posts
• Trolling: Deliberately inflammatory or off-topic posts meant to provoke
• Manipulation: Coordinated inauthentic behavior or vote manipulation

Civic Engagement Standards

Because LinkLocal facilitates civic participation, we hold civic discussions to additional standards:

• Good Faith Participation: Engage with civic issues constructively, even when passionate
• Informed Discussion: Base civic arguments on facts and evidence when possible
• Respect for Process: Support democratic processes even when you disagree with outcomes
• Transparency: Disclose conflicts of interest in civic discussions

Local Business Guidelines

Local businesses are valued community members, but commercial activity must be appropriate:

• Use business accounts for commercial posts
• Be transparent about business affiliation
• Don't spam or excessively promote
• Participate authentically in community conversations
• Respond professionally to feedback

Reporting and Enforcement

How to Report

If you see content that violates these guidelines:

• Use the report button on any post or comment
• Provide specific details about the violation
• Our team will review reports promptly

What Happens Next

Depending on severity, violations may result in:

• Warning: First-time or minor violations
• Content Removal: Posts that violate guidelines
• Temporary Suspension: Repeated or more serious violations
• Account Termination: Severe or persistent violations

Working Together

These guidelines exist to protect what makes our communities special. By following them, you help create a platform where:

• Neighbors connect authentically
• Important local information spreads reliably
• Civic discussions remain constructive
• Local businesses thrive alongside residents
• Everyone feels welcome and valued

Thank you for helping build stronger communities, one respectful interaction at a time.