At WhirLocal, we are committed to fostering a community built on trust, authenticity, and respect. Our Review Guidelines are designed to ensure that all user-generated content reflects genuine experiences and upholds the integrity of our platform. By contributing a review, you agree to adhere to the following standards:
1. Authenticity and Honesty
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Genuine Experiences Only: Share reviews based on your personal, direct interactions with the business or organization. Misrepresentation or posting on behalf of others is prohibited.
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Prohibition of Fake Reviews: The creation, solicitation, or posting of fake reviews—including those generated by artificial intelligence (AI) or written by individuals without actual experience—is strictly forbidden. Such actions violate FTC regulations and undermine community trust.
2. Relevance and Constructiveness
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Stay On-Topic: Ensure your review pertains directly to the services or products offered by the business. Avoid unrelated discussions, including political or social commentary.
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Constructive Feedback: Provide insights that are helpful to both the business and potential customers. Aim to highlight specific aspects of your experience.
3. Respectful and Appropriate Content
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Prohibited Content: Refrain from using obscene, profane, discriminatory, or offensive language. Content that harasses, threatens, or discriminates against individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic is not allowed.
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Mature and Explicit Content: Do not include sexually explicit material, references to illegal activities, or content promoting regulated products such as alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or gambling.
4. Conflicts of Interest
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Impartiality Matters: Do not post reviews for your own business, employers (current or former), or direct competitors. Such conflicts of interest can bias content and are not permitted.
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Disclosure of Incentives: If you received any form of compensation, discount, or incentive in exchange for your review, you must clearly disclose this information. However, note that many platforms, including WhirLocal, discourage or prohibit incentivized reviews to maintain authenticity.
5. Spam and Promotional Content
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No Advertisements: Reviews should not contain promotional material, external links, or solicitations. Content solely aimed at advertising products, services, or other websites will be removed.
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Avoid Duplicate Content: Posting the same review multiple times or across different accounts is considered spam and is prohibited.
6. Privacy and Personal Information
- Protect Personal Data: Do not include personal information—such as phone numbers, addresses, or email addresses—of yourself or others in your review. Respecting privacy is essential to maintaining a safe community.
7. Compliance with Laws and Regulations
- Adhere to Legal Standards: Ensure your review complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including those related to defamation, copyright, and the FTC’s guidelines on endorsements and testimonials. The FTC prohibits the posting of fake reviews and mandates clear disclosure of any incentives received in exchange for reviews.
8. Reporting Violations
- Community Vigilance: If you encounter a review that violates these guidelines or appears suspicious, please report it to our moderation team for evaluation. Your assistance helps uphold the quality and trustworthiness of our platform.
By following these guidelines, you contribute to a reliable and respectful environment for all WhirLocal users. We reserve the right to remove any content that breaches these standards and to take appropriate actions against repeat offenders, including account suspension or termination.
Thank you for being a valued member of the WhirLocal community and for your commitment to maintaining the integrity of our shared space.