Community Code of Conduct

Our Mission

TrustedGoods exists to provide a community where people can share authentic, honest experiences with products. Our platform is built on the belief that genuine reviews from real users are the most valuable resource for making informed purchasing decisions. This Code of Conduct establishes the standards we expect from every member of our community.

Our Values

• Honesty: We believe in truthful, unbiased reviews based on genuine personal experience with products.
• Respect: We treat every community member with dignity and respect, even when we disagree.
• Authenticity: We value real experiences over sponsored content, incentivized reviews, or manufactured opinions.
• Helpfulness: We strive to provide useful, detailed information that helps others make better purchasing decisions.

Expected Behavior

Be Honest and Authentic

• Only review products you have personally used
• Provide accurate information about your experience, including how long you have used the product
• Disclose any relevant context that might affect your opinion (e.g., skill level, use conditions, prior experience with similar products)
• Update your reviews if your opinion changes over time with extended use
• Be fair and balanced -- acknowledge both strengths and weaknesses

Be Respectful

• Engage in constructive discussions, even when you disagree with another user's review
• Focus your feedback on the product, not on the person reviewing it
• Respect diverse perspectives and experiences -- different users may have different needs and expectations
• Use appropriate language and keep conversations civil

Be Helpful

• Write detailed reviews that help others understand the product
• Include specific details like use cases, duration of use, and comparisons to similar products
• Add photos when possible to support your review
• Respond constructively to questions about your reviews

Prohibited Behavior

Fake, Sponsored, or Misleading Reviews

• No sponsored or paid reviews: Do not post reviews for products you received from brands in exchange for a review, were paid to review, or were given as promotional gifts from brands. Reviews of products received as personal gifts from friends or family are acceptable.
• No astroturfing: Do not create fake reviews to artificially boost or damage a product's reputation
• No review manipulation: Do not coordinate with others to artificially inflate or deflate product ratings
• No competitor sabotage: Do not post false negative reviews of competing products
• No fake accounts: Do not create multiple accounts to post additional reviews or manipulate engagement

Harassment and Hate Speech

• No harassment, bullying, intimidation, or threats directed at other users
• No hate speech, slurs, or content that promotes discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other protected characteristic
• No doxxing or sharing of other users' personal information without their consent
• No stalking or persistent unwanted contact

Spam and Self-Promotion

• No spam, including repetitive posts, irrelevant content, or unsolicited promotional material
• No affiliate links or referral codes in reviews or comments
• No advertising or promoting your own business, brand, or products

Other Prohibited Content

• No sexually explicit or graphic violent content
• No content that promotes illegal activities or dangerous behavior
• No malware, phishing links, or other malicious content
• No content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others

Enforcement

Violation Severity

Violations are categorized by severity to ensure fair and proportionate enforcement:

• Minor Violations: First-time or unintentional breaches of community standards, such as slightly off-topic content or minor promotional language
• Moderate Violations: Repeated minor violations, sponsored reviews, or content that disrupts the community
• Serious Violations: Harassment, hate speech, fake reviews, review manipulation, or any activity that undermines the integrity of the platform

Enforcement Actions

Depending on the severity and frequency of violations, we may take the following actions:

• Warning: A private notice explaining the violation and expected corrective behavior
• Content Removal: Removal of the offending content
• Temporary Suspension: Temporary restriction of account access for a defined period
• Permanent Ban: Permanent removal from the platform for severe or repeated violations

Reporting Violations

If you encounter content or behavior that violates this Code of Conduct, please report it to us at support@trustedgoods.co. When reporting, please include:

• A description of the violation
• A link to the content in question (if applicable)
• Any relevant screenshots or supporting information

All reports are reviewed confidentially. We will not retaliate against anyone who reports a violation in good faith.

Appeals Process

If you believe an enforcement action was taken in error, you may appeal by following these steps:

1. Submit an Appeal: Contact us at support@trustedgoods.co within 14 days of the enforcement action
2. Provide Context: Explain why you believe the action was incorrect and provide any supporting evidence
3. Review Period: Our team will review your appeal within 7 business days
4. Decision: You will receive a written response with the outcome. Appeal decisions are final.

What can be appealed: Content removal, account suspensions, and account bans.

What cannot be appealed: Warnings, or enforcement actions where the violation is clearly documented and unambiguous.

Changes to This Code

We may update this Code of Conduct from time to time. We will notify the community of any significant changes by posting an announcement and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of TrustedGoods after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Code of Conduct.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Code of Conduct or need to report a violation, please contact us at:

• General Inquiries: support@trustedgoods.co
• Appeals: support@trustedgoods.co