Most community guidelines fail for one simple reason: nobody reads them. They are too long, too legalistic and too negative. A good set of guidelines is short, specific and written in the same voice as the community itself. It tells people what you value, what crosses the line and what happens next. This article gives you a complete template you can adapt, plus the reasoning behind each section so you can customize it with confidence.
What guidelines are for
Guidelines do three jobs. They set expectations for newcomers, they give moderators something concrete to point to and they protect the community when a decision is questioned. They are not a substitute for judgment, and they cannot cover every case. The best guidelines state principles clearly and leave room for common sense.
If you want to see how this fits into your broader setup, read writing rules people actually read and our code of conduct guide.
Principles before rules
Open with two or three sentences that explain the spirit of the place. For example: "This is a space for honest conversation. We assume good faith, disagree with ideas rather than people and keep each other safe." Principles help members interpret situations the rules never anticipated, and they make enforcement feel fair rather than arbitrary.
The template
Below is a structure that works for most communities. Adjust the specifics to your topic.
1. Be kind and argue the idea, not the person. Disagreement is welcome. Insults, mockery of individuals and pile-ons are not.
2. No harassment, hate or threats. Targeted abuse, slurs, threats of violence and persistent unwanted contact are removed, and repeat offenders lose access.
3. Protect privacy. Do not post anyone's personal information, including addresses, workplaces, private messages or identifying photos, without clear consent.
4. No spam or unwanted promotion. Ads, repeated links and copy-pasted posts will be removed. Share your own work only where the rules allow.
5. Stay on topic. Keep posts relevant to the board or thread. Off-topic chatter belongs in the designated spot.
6. Keep it legal and safe. No illegal content, no content that sexualizes minors, no instructions for serious harm.
7. Label sensitive content. Use warnings for spoilers or sensitive topics where your community requires them.
8. Report, do not retaliate. If something breaks the rules, use the report button rather than escalating in the thread.
What happens when rules are broken
Members want to know the consequences. A simple ladder works well:
- Gentle reminder for first-time, low-severity issues.
- Content removal with a short explanation.
- Temporary restriction for repeated issues.
- Removal from the community for serious or persistent violations.
State clearly that severe violations, such as threats or doxxing, skip straight to the top of the ladder. For the practical side of removal, see how to ban a member without starting a war and how to write a ban message that reduces drama.
Add an appeals line
Fairness builds trust. Include one sentence on how a member can ask for a decision to be reviewed, such as a contact link or form. You do not have to reverse many decisions, but offering a route signals that moderators are accountable. More in how to build a fair moderation appeals process.
Write in your community's voice
A rule can say the same thing in a friendly or a hostile way. Compare "Violators will be banned" with "If you're here to cause trouble, we'll show you the door." Both are strict. The second sounds like a person. Aim for firm and human, not threatening and not wishy-washy.
Keep it short and scannable
Aim for under 400 words on the main page. Use a numbered list, bold the key phrase of each rule and link to deeper explanations only when needed. Place a short version, three or four lines, near the posting box so that people see it at the moment it matters.
Examples of rule wording that works
- Instead of "No inappropriate content," write "No content that sexualizes minors, graphically depicts violence or promotes self-harm."
- Instead of "Be respectful," write "Disagree with what someone said, not who they are."
- Instead of "No spam," write "No ads, affiliate links or repeated self-promotion."
Specific rules are easier to follow and easier to enforce, because members and moderators share the same picture of what counts.
Make the rules visible and living
Link guidelines from your welcome message, onboarding flow and footer. Revisit them every quarter or after a major incident. If you keep answering the same question, that is a sign a rule is missing or unclear. When you change a rule, announce it plainly and explain why. For help with announcements, read how to write announcements people actually read.
Enforce consistently
The best-written rules mean little if enforcement is uneven. Consistency matters more than severity. Record significant decisions in a simple log, discuss edge cases with your moderators and apply the same standard to regulars and newcomers. Members forgive strict rules; they rarely forgive favoritism.
A quick checklist before you publish
- Do the rules fit on one screen?
- Is each rule specific enough that two moderators would apply it the same way?
- Does the page explain consequences and an appeals route?
- Is there a short version near the composer?
- Does it sound like us?
Frequently asked questions
How long should community guidelines be?
Keep the main page under about 400 words, with six to eight short rules, and link to longer explanations only where necessary.
What should community rules include?
Core values, rules on harassment, privacy, spam, topic scope and legality, plus consequences and a way to appeal moderator decisions.
How often should guidelines be updated?
Review them every quarter and after any major incident. Announce changes clearly and explain the reason.
How do I get members to read the rules?
Make them short, friendly and specific, show a brief version near the posting box and link them from your welcome message and onboarding.
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