Community guidelines seem simple but writing effective ones is harder than it looks. Here’s how to create guidelines that actually help.
Why Guidelines Matter
- Set expectations for behavior
- Give moderators clear standards
- Protect community culture
- Provide grounds for enforcement
- Help members understand the space
What to Include
The Basics
- Treat others with respect
- No harassment or personal attacks
- Keep content on-topic
- Respect privacy
Community-Specific Rules
- Content restrictions (if any)
- Self-promotion policies
- Posting frequency guidelines
- Format preferences
Consequences
- What happens when rules are broken
- Warning system (if applicable)
- Grounds for removal
Writing Style
Be clear, not legalistic. Members should understand without a law degree.
Be specific. “Be respectful” is vague. “No personal attacks, name-calling, or deliberately inflammatory language” is clearer.
Explain the why. “We don’t allow self-promotion in the main forum because it drowns out discussion” helps members understand.
Be positive where possible. “Do share your expertise” alongside “Don’t spam promotional links.”
Common Mistakes
Too vague: “Don’t be a jerk” means different things to different people.
Too long: Nobody reads a 10-page document. Keep it scannable.
No enforcement: Guidelines without enforcement are suggestions.
No flexibility: Edge cases exist. Build in some moderator discretion.
Living Documents
Guidelines should evolve:
- Update when new situations arise
- Communicate changes to members
- Version and date your guidelines
- Keep old versions accessible
Visibility
Make guidelines easy to find:
- Link in welcome sequence
- Pin in community spaces
- Reference when enforcing
- Include in registration flow
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