Community Guidelines

Welcome to the Ratemy Community

Ratemy is built on trust, transparency, and respect. Our community of users relies on honest, authentic reviews to make informed decisions about professionals across multiple industries. These guidelines ensure that our platform remains a safe, helpful, and trustworthy resource for everyone.

By using Ratemy, you agree to follow these Community Guidelines in addition to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Violations may result in content removal, account suspension, or permanent ban.

1. Core Principles

All content and interactions on Ratemy must align with these foundational principles:

These principles guide all moderation decisions. Content that violates these core values may be removed even if it doesn't explicitly break a specific rule listed below.

2. Prohibited Content

The following types of content are strictly prohibited on Ratemy and will result in immediate removal and potential account action:

2.1 Harassment, Threats, and Hate Speech

• Harassment: Repeated unwanted contact, intimidation, or targeted abuse of any user
• Threats: Any threat of violence, harm, or retaliation against individuals or groups
• Hate Speech: Content that attacks people based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other protected characteristics
• Bullying: Content intended to humiliate, demean, or cause emotional distress

2.2 Spam, Fake Reviews, and Manipulation

• Fake Reviews: Reviews not based on genuine personal experience
• Paid Reviews: Reviews written in exchange for compensation, favors, or incentives
• Review Solicitation: Asking others to post reviews on your behalf or offering payment for reviews
• Multiple Accounts: Creating multiple accounts to post duplicate reviews or manipulate ratings
• Spam: Repetitive, irrelevant, or commercial content unrelated to professional reviews
• Bot Activity: Automated posting or scraping of content

2.3 Personal Information (Doxing)

• Contact Information: Home addresses, personal phone numbers, personal email addresses
• Financial Information: Bank account numbers, credit card information, social security numbers
• Private Details: Medical records, family information, non-public relationship details
• Sensitive Data: Information that could lead to identity theft, stalking, or harassment

2.4 Sexual Content and Inappropriate Behavior

• Sexual Harassment: Unwanted sexual advances, comments, or requests
• Explicit Content: Pornography, nudity, or sexually explicit material
• Inappropriate Comments: Sexualized comments about appearance, clothing, or body
• Grooming or Exploitation: Any content involving minors in a sexual context

2.5 Illegal Activity and Fraud

• Illegal Conduct: Content promoting or facilitating illegal activities
• Fraud: Scams, phishing attempts, or deceptive practices
• Copyright Violation: Posting copyrighted material without permission (see our DMCA Policy)
• Intellectual Property Theft: Stealing or misusing trademarks, patents, or trade secrets
• Defamation: False statements of fact that harm someone's reputation (see Section 3.4)

2.6 Impersonation and Misleading Claims

• Impersonation: Pretending to be another person, company, or organization
• False Credentials: Claiming qualifications, certifications, or affiliations you don't have
• Misrepresentation: Creating fake professional profiles or company pages
• Catfishing: Using someone else's photos or identity

3. Review Guidelines

Reviews are the heart of Ratemy. To maintain trust and authenticity, all reviews must meet these standards:

3.1 Personal Experience Required

You may only review professionals with whom you have had direct, personal experience:

• Manager Reviews: You must have worked directly for or with the manager for at least 3 months
• Teacher Reviews: You must have been enrolled in their class or had them teach your child
• Doctor Reviews: You must have been their patient or had a family member under their care
• Lawyer Reviews: You must have retained them for legal services
• Realtor Reviews: You must have used them to buy, sell, or rent property

3.2 Professional Tone and Language

Reviews should be constructive, respectful, and focused on professional behaviors:

• Use Professional Language: Avoid profanity, slurs, or inflammatory language
• Be Specific: Provide concrete examples of behaviors rather than vague accusations
• Criticize Actions, Not Character: Focus on what they did, not who they are
• Avoid Hyperbole: Use measured language ("often unavailable" vs. "never available")

3.3 No Quid Pro Quo (Pay-for-Reviews)

Reviews must be completely independent and uncompensated:

• No Payment: You cannot accept money, gift cards, or other compensation for writing reviews
• No Reciprocal Reviews: You cannot trade reviews ("I'll review you if you review me")
• No Incentivized Reviews: Professionals cannot offer discounts, bonuses, or favors in exchange for positive reviews
• No Pressure: Professionals cannot pressure employees or clients to leave reviews under threat of consequences

3.4 Conflict of Interest Disclosure

You must disclose any relationships or conflicts of interest that might bias your review:

• Competitive Relationships: If you work for a competing company or professional
• Personal Relationships: If you have a close personal relationship (family, romantic partner, close friend)
• Business Interests: If you have a financial stake in their success or failure
• Legal Disputes: If you are involved in litigation or legal action with them

3.5 Accuracy and Truthfulness

All factual claims in reviews must be true to the best of your knowledge:

• Verifiable Facts: Claims about credentials, employment history, or company policies should be accurate
• Honest Opinions: Your opinions must reflect your genuine beliefs based on real experiences
• No Fabrication: Do not invent incidents or exaggerate situations
• No Defamation: Avoid false statements of fact that could harm someone's reputation

3.6 Proof and Evidence

While not required, providing evidence strengthens your review's credibility:

• Upload Proof: Redacted documents, screenshots, or photos (with personal info removed)
• Protect Privacy: Always redact names, addresses, phone numbers, and other personal identifiers
• Professional Verification: Link to LinkedIn profile or provide company email to verify employment

4. Professional Response Guidelines

Professionals who claim their profiles can respond to reviews and manage their reputation. All responses must follow these standards:

4.1 Professional Tone Required

Responses must remain professional, courteous, and constructive:

• Stay Calm: Avoid defensive, angry, or dismissive language
• Acknowledge Concerns: Show that you've heard and considered the feedback
• Be Constructive: Explain your perspective or provide context without attacking the reviewer
• Avoid Retaliation: Do not threaten legal action, employment consequences, or other retaliation

4.2 No Threats or Retaliation

Professionals must not use their position to intimidate or retaliate against reviewers:

• No Employment Threats: "I'll make sure you never work in this industry again"
• No Legal Intimidation: "My lawyers will be in touch" (unless you have a legitimate defamation claim)
• No Public Shaming: Revealing personal details about the reviewer to discredit them
• No Retaliation: Using reviews to deny promotions, references, or opportunities

4.3 Dispute Process

If you believe a review violates our guidelines or is factually inaccurate, use the proper dispute process:

• Request Removal: Click "Dispute Review" and provide specific reasons
• Provide Evidence: Submit documentation that contradicts false claims
• Wait for Review: Our moderation team will investigate within 5-7 business days
• Appeal if Needed: If your dispute is denied, you can appeal the decision

Note: Do not threaten legal action in your response. Instead, use our dispute process first. If the issue is not resolved and you have a legitimate legal claim, consult an attorney about your options.

5. Enforcement Policy

Ratemy enforces these Community Guidelines through a combination of AI moderation, user reports, and manual review. Violations result in escalating consequences:

5.1 Three-Strike System

For most violations, we use a progressive enforcement approach:

5.2 Immediate Permanent Bans

Certain severe violations result in immediate permanent ban without warning:

• Threats of Violence: Any threat of physical harm, death threats, or incitement to violence
• Sexual Harassment or Exploitation: Sexual harassment, grooming, or any content involving minors
• Doxing: Publishing personal information with intent to harm, stalk, or harass
• Coordinated Manipulation: Operating multiple fake accounts, running bot networks, or organized review manipulation
• Criminal Activity: Using the platform to facilitate illegal activities, fraud, or scams
• Extreme Hate Speech: Calls for violence, genocide, or terrorism against protected groups

5.3 Appeals Process

If you believe your account was suspended or content was removed in error, you may appeal:

• Submit an Appeal: Email appeals@www.ratingapp.net within 30 days
• Include Details: Your username, the content in question, and why you believe the decision was incorrect
• Review Timeline: Appeals are reviewed within 7-14 business days
• Final Decision: Appeal decisions are final and cannot be re-appealed

Note: Accounts banned for zero-tolerance violations (threats, harassment, exploitation) are generally not eligible for appeal. Exceptions are made only in cases of proven account compromise or identity theft.

5.4 Strike Expiration

Strikes expire over time if you maintain good standing:

• First Strike: Expires after 6 months of no violations
• Second Strike: Expires after 12 months of no violations
• Permanent Bans: Do not expire (with rare exceptions for appeals)

6. Reporting Violations

Community moderation is essential to maintaining trust. If you see content that violates these guidelines, please report it:

6.1 How to Report

• In-Platform Reporting: Click the "Report" button next to any review, comment, or profile
• Email Reporting: Send details to report@www.ratingapp.net
• Urgent/Severe Violations: For threats, harassment, or illegal activity, use our Report Abuse form (P1-LEGAL-008)

6.2 What to Include in Your Report

To help us investigate quickly, please provide:

• Link to the content or profile in question
• Specific reason for reporting (which guideline was violated)
• Screenshots or evidence (if applicable)
• Your relationship to the situation (optional but helpful)

6.3 Report Processing Timeline

• AI Moderation: Automated review within minutes for clear violations
• High-Priority Reports: Threats, harassment, exploitation reviewed within 2-4 hours
• Standard Reports: Reviewed within 24-48 hours
• Complex Disputes: May take 5-7 business days for thorough investigation

6.4 False Reporting

Submitting false or malicious reports is a violation of our Community Guidelines:

• Reporting content solely to harass or retaliate against someone
• Mass-reporting campaigns to silence legitimate reviews
• Repeatedly reporting content that doesn't violate guidelines

Consequences: Users who abuse the reporting system may face account restrictions or suspension. However, we understand mistakes happen—occasional incorrect reports will not result in penalties.

7. AI Moderation and Detection

Ratemy uses AI-powered moderation to automatically detect and prevent guideline violations:

7.1 What Our AI Detects

• Personal Information (PII): Phone numbers, addresses, social security numbers, credit card info
• Toxic Language: Profanity, hate speech, slurs, and abusive language
• Spam Patterns: Repetitive content, commercial solicitation, bot activity
• Fake Reviews: Reviews that lack specificity or use generic templates

7.2 Human Review

All AI moderation decisions are subject to human review upon request:

• Flagged content is reviewed by trained human moderators
• You can appeal AI-generated warnings or removals
• Complex cases (disputes, legal claims) are always reviewed by humans

See our Moderation Policy for more details on how content is reviewed and moderated.

8. Updates to These Guidelines

We may update these Community Guidelines from time to time to reflect changes in our platform, legal requirements, or community feedback. Material changes will be communicated through:

• Email notification to registered users
• Prominent notice on the website homepage
• Update to the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page

Your continued use of the platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated guidelines.

9. Questions and Contact Information

If you have questions about these Community Guidelines or need clarification, please contact us: