10 Community Rules Examples to Inspire Your Guidelines

A thriving community can do amazing things for connection, collaboration, and growth. Whether your community is online or in person, it’s a space where people come together to share ideas, support each other, and work toward common goals.

But let’s be real—keeping a community running smoothly takes more than good vibes. That’s where community rules come in. These rules set the tone for how members interact, help create a safe and respectful environment, and make sure everyone knows what’s expected. They’re the secret ingredient to building a space where members can feel welcome, valued, and excited to contribute.

In this article, we’ll explore why community rules are so important, break down the four key areas every set of rules should cover, and share 10 inspiring examples to get your ideas flowing.

Pressed for time? Skip ahead using these links.

Why are rules in a community important?

Think of community rules as the backbone of your group. They’re more than just a list of what you can and can’t do—they shape the entire vibe of your community. With the right rules in place, members feel comfortable jumping in, sharing ideas, and connecting with others.

Good rules also keep things running smoothly. They help prevent misunderstandings, make it easier to handle conflicts, and set the stage for positive, productive interactions. The best part? They’re tailored to your community’s unique purpose and values, so they feel natural and easy to follow.

Here are four key areas to think about when crafting your community rules:

• Safety and security: Make your community a place where people feel protected and respected. This includes addressing things like privacy, harmful content, and respectful communication so everyone can interact without worry.
• Conflict and dispute: Disagreements happen, but clear rules help you handle them in a way that’s fair for everyone. Lay out how conflicts are managed and what happens when someone crosses the line.
• Inclusion and equality: Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. Rules that promote inclusivity and ban discrimination or hate speech make your community a welcoming space for all.
• Social cohesion and cooperation: When members work together toward a common goal, great things happen. Set rules that encourage teamwork, respectful communication, and meaningful participation to keep the energy high and the connections strong.

Your community rules should balance clarity and flexibility. Clear rules set member behavior expectations, prevent confusion, and avert exploiters looking for loopholes.

However, over-specificity can lead to new loopholes — people are creative and can circumvent hyper-specific policies. Overall, avoid ambiguous rules that can confuse members and moderators alike, but don’t over-define to the point of inadvertently creating new gray areas.

Tailoring rules to community values

Effective community rules start with a clear connection to the community’s values and mission. They aren’t just about setting boundaries—they reflect what the group stands for and what it aims to achieve. Platforms like TED and Facebook do this well by first highlighting their goals and purpose before introducing guidelines. This approach gives members a deeper understanding of why the rules matter and how they contribute to a positive experience.

10 community rules examples

When creating community rules, it’s important to make them clear, specific, and actionable. Avoid vague terms like “common sense” or “other” that can leave room for misinterpretation or inconsistencies. Use direct and simple language to help members understand expectations while giving moderators the confidence to take appropriate action when needed.

Now that we’ve covered the foundational elements of great community rules, let’s explore 10 examples from a variety of platforms, including Facebook, Reddit, Discord, Slack, and more. These real-world examples show how different communities tailor their rules to fit their unique needs and values.

1. Thinkific Studio for online learning creators

The Thinkific Facebook community for online learning creators connects over 34,000 members. This group is a space where course creators can share ideas, learn from each other, and build successful online course businesses. The community is rooted in values like positivity, support, and respectful collaboration.

Thinkific Studio rules

• Let’s create a positive, welcoming environment where everyone feels safe to share ideas, thoughts, and feedback. Be supportive, respect individual opinions, and report inappropriate posts when necessary.
• Keep the focus on learning and success with Thinkific. Posts promoting other course platforms, off-topic discussions, or those unrelated to course creation will be removed.
• Self-promotion, unsolicited direct messages, spamming, and disguised selling posts will not be allowed. This includes links to offers, posing as Thinkific Experts or Partners, and posts aimed at lead generation.
• Respectfully challenge ideas, but avoid attacking others. Posts, comments, or DMs that are inappropriate, rude, aggressive, or spread misinformation will be removed.
• This group is for Thinkific users or those interested in using Thinkific. Posts or comments promoting other platforms or unrelated topics will be removed.

Learning points

Here are two things these rules do exceptionally well:

• These rules balance clarity and inclusivity, providing members with clear expectations while fostering meaningful discussion.
• The emphasis on constructive and respectful interaction encourages a supportive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

2. runDisney

runDisney is a massively popular online Facebook group. The group hosts an impressive 91,800 members, having only been created in 2020. This group’s goal is to foster community amongst people interested in or actively participating in runDisney races, both in-person and virtually. Community members regularly ask questions about training, share race-day tips, and celebrate accomplishments.

runDisney rules

Facebook allows groups to have up to 10 rules, and the runDisney Facebook group uses its total allowance. Its rules are:

• Bib and bib sales
• Be kind and courteous
• No hate speech, name-calling, or foul language
• No politics whatsoever
• Do not block administrators or moderators
• No charity donations
• The great mask debate
• No advertising or outside links
• No monetary arrangements
• No after-party ticket resales

runDisney learning points

runDisney’s rules are an excellent example of how communities can and should tailor their rules to their specific needs. Here are some things we noticed:

• Niche-specific rulescater to the community– Rule one (‘bib and bib sales’) is useful and highly specific to this community’s focus. The rule also defines when certain behavior is and isn’t acceptable.
• Necessary redundancy– Rule four (‘no politics whatsoever’) prohibits political conversation. However, the group likely faced an influx of mask debates during the pandemic as Disney implemented new policies for large gatherings. Today, rule seven (‘the great mask debate’) could probably be absorbed by rule four, but it likely was a necessary rule in years past despite its redundancy.

3. Product-Led Growth

Product-Led Growth is a Slack community dedicated to “product-led veterans” and beginners. This group aims to bring together like-minded marketers, CEOs, and other leaders over product-led business philosophies. Like many Slack groups, community members can use any of the included Slack channels for self-promotion, support, education, and job hunting.

Product-Led Growth rules

The PLG community is home to over 15,000 users and sees regular daily engagement. And as the fourth community in our community rules examples list, we’re starting to see a trend; the PLG community also features only four community rules. They are:

• Deliver more value than you extract
• Build solid relationships
• Don’t be afraid to challenge
• Be respectful of all members

Product-Led Growth learning points

PLG’s Slack community rules are expertly framed as a method to “get the most from the community.” This is a smart and artful way to encourage members to adhere to the rules without feeling overly authoritative. Within the four Product-Led Growth rules, there are two things we really loved:

• Emphasis on value– Rule one (‘deliver more value than you extract’) encourages users to extract and deliver value while prohibiting self-promotion and ads, framing them as the opposite of valuable for the community. Additionally, rule three (‘don’t be afraid to challenge’) encourages productive engagement. This rule clarifies that the group values learning over ease and comfort, but not at the expense of safety and security.
• Strategic elaboration– Rules two (‘build solid relationships’) and three (‘don’t be afraid to challenge’) are concise , saying what they need to in a few words. However, when necessary, the writer behind these rules elaborates. Rule four (‘be respectful of all members’) is an excellent example of finding the balance between highly specific and ill-defined rules.

4. r/freelanceWriters

r/freelanceWriters is a Reddit group for freelance writers of all kinds, including content writers, copywriters, journalists, and more. The community shares one broad goal – to give freelance writers a space to share everything freelance-related. Users often ask questions about writing or managing a freelance business, seek feedback on their projects, or express concerns about changing economic conditions or technological advancements.

r/freelanceWriters rules

This thriving community consists of 158,000 members and was created in 2011. r/freelanceWriters features seven rules in total. Unsurprisingly, they’re remarkably concise without losing clarity. The rules are:

• No spam or self-promotion
• No looking for work
• No hiring posts
• No academic writing/homework
• No requests for feedback/criticism
• No linking to chatrooms/forums or requesting contact from other users
• Civil discourse only

r/freelanceWriters learning points

Moderators of this group are experienced writers in legal, medical, and business niches. As expected, this group’s rules are another example of how you can write specific rules while still leaving moderators and members with flexibility.

• Well-defined exceptions– Rule one (‘no spam or self-promotion’) explicitly prohibits self-promotion and the inclusion of links in posts. However, the rule also allows for specific exceptions to those who regularly bring valuable engagement to the community, giving members and moderators occasional flexibility.
• Niche-specific rules protect the community– Rule four (‘no academic writing/homework’) is another example of a rule not every community needs. Notably, it’s the only rule in this group prohibiting an entire category of writing, likely because it addresses a truly niche-specific problem the community has faced in the past. This rule helps define the community’s goals while protecting it from potentially harmful posts – all without limiting productive, valuable members.

5. GitHub

GitHub is a global community of developers collaborating on millions of software projects. This platform values inclusivity and productivity while maintaining a space for respectful and collaborative interactions. Members range from beginners to experienced developers, creating a diverse and dynamic community.

GitHub rules

1. Be welcoming and open-minded—embrace a range of ideas and experience levels.
2. Be respectful—engage in constructive discussions and focus on ideas rather than personal criticisms.
3. Be empathetic—understand and respect the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of all members.
4. Help others to help yourself—contribute positively and foster collaboration.

Learning points

• GitHub’s emphasis on empathy and collaboration creates an environment where members feel valued and respected.
• Rules like “help others to help yourself” promote collective growth and build trust within the community.
• The focus on constructive feedback supports learning and improvement for members at all experience levels.

6. r/gsuite

r/gsuite is a Subreddit with over 27,000 members. It was created in 2016 and is dedicated to helping Google Workspace, formerly G Suite, users navigate Google’s various apps.

r/gsuite rulesLike Thinkific, this Google Workspace Subreddit features only four community rules. They are:

• Be civil
• No advertisement of products or services
• No posts with referral codes
• Other

r/gsuite learning points

While this Subreddit’s rules cover a lot of ground, they also avoid defining certain violations and consequences, creating ambiguous rules.

• Consequences are up to moderator discretion– Rules one (‘be civil’) and four (‘other’) leave a lot to moderator discretion. While this can be an effective way to manage some communities, it can also lead to significant variations in consequences depending on who moderates and when.
• “Other” clause– This clause gives moderators flexibility to deal with unforeseen circumstances, but it’s likely too ambiguous. In an attempt to cover all possible territory, this rule leaves a lot up to the moderator. One moderator may deem a certain action a violation, while another may not.

7. Cassidy Lynne Education

Cassidy Lynne Education is led by Cassidy Lynne, one of Thinkific’s creators making over 20k per month. This Facebook community aims to give photographers the space to learn, grow, and participate in a community with others. You’ll find community members asking how to compose shots, checking in with each other, and looking for editing advice on any given day. 

Cassidy Lynne Education rules:

Cassidy Lynne Education boasts over 34,000 members and was created in early 2021. This group features 10 rules:

• No follow-train posts
• No self-promotion, advertising, or spam posts
• Be kind and courteous
• Keep it photography related
• Respect everyone’s privacy
• No trading digital products
• Report rule-breaking
• No political posts
• No boudoir or nudity
• No selling gear, products, or services

Cassidy Lynne Education learning points

Cassidy’s group rules are short and sweet without sacrificing clarity. Here are two things you can learn from her rules:

• No follow train posts– This rule exemplifies basic community rules and laws allowing for specific exceptions – having one controlled monthly follow train post in the group. In this case, Cassidy recognizes that many of her members want to follow each other on other platforms. Rather than letting that style of post become saturated and run unchecked on the main feed, she provides an exception to the rule with a monthly post, giving her members what they crave without sacrificing the integrity of her group.
• Redundancy– Rule two (‘no self-promotion, advertising, or spam posts’) and rule ten (‘no selling gear, products, or services’) appear to cover nearly identical topics. Combining these two rules would make the list more concise without sacrificing clarity.

8. Stack Overflow

Stack Overflow is a go-to platform for developers looking to learn, share, and collaborate. Whether you’re a beginner asking your first coding question or an expert sharing advanced insights, this community focuses on kindness, respect, and growth.

Stack Overflow rules

1. Engage with kindness and patience
2. Respect everyone’s level of experience—learning takes time
3. Share thoughtful, constructive feedback
4. Avoid harassment, misinformation, or disruptive behavior

Why these rules stand out

• Encouraging learning: This community celebrates curiosity and reminds everyone that mistakes are part of the journey. Whether you’re giving or getting feedback, the focus is on growth, not perfection.
• Creating a safe space: The emphasis on respect and collaboration builds trust and makes the platform welcoming for everyone, regardless of skill level.
• Keeping things constructive: Clear guidelines about behavior and content make it easier to stay on track and keep discussions helpful and meaningful.

9. Minecraft Discord

The Minecraft Discord is a community for Minecraft enthusiasts on the Discord platform. The community aims to unite players of all ages over their love for the famous, multi-platform game. In this community, you’ll find users engaging on one of over 50 threads, discussing anything from Minecraft pet pictures to building contests.

Minecraft Discord rules

This community consists of over 1.6 million online members and was created in 2017. Its rules are:

• Be cool, kind, and civil to one another
• Please speak English only
• Keep your Discord profile appropriate
• Do not spam
• Do not @mention or direct message Minecraft staff
• No self-promotion or advertisements
• No personal information
• No hate speech or harmful language
• No political or religious topics
• No piracy, sexual, NSFW, or otherwise suspicious content
• Rules are subject to common sense

Minecraft Discord learning points

As a community that includes young adults, this community’s rules are a great model for groups in similar positions. Here’s what we think you should takeaway:

• Profile appropriateness– Rule three (‘keep your Discord profile appropriate’) addresses an issue unique to groups with young members and aims to elaborate on any gray areas that may exist with some of the following rules in the list.
• Common sense clause– Unlike “other” clauses, or catch-all clauses, this group’s common sense clause gives moderators the flexibility to moderate violators without creating significant ambiguity.

10. #Eventprofs

#Eventprofs is a private online community for event professionals to share ideas, seek support, and network with other event professionals. This community is housed on a new community platform called “Circle” and offers weekly newsletters, content, discussions, in-depth user profiles, direct messaging, and more. You can find members discussing strategy, the latest event trends, and event technology.

#Eventprofs rules

The #Eventprofs community is rapidly growing, with members in over 100 countries. Like several other communities in this list, they too feature four community rules:

• Treat others as you would like to be treated
• No self-promoting
• Educational content may be shared when not promotional
• Profiles are for people, not companies

#Eventprofs learning points

As a community led by event industry professionals, we think there are some excellent takeaways for community leaders here.

• Emphasis on values– We love how #Eventprofs present their community rules as part of a larger member commitment, really emphasizing the member’s role in the greater community. It’s also noteworthy that before the ‘community rules’ part, a section is added for ‘community values,’ highlighting what the group is about before digging into the “do’s and don’ts.”
• Distinguishing value– Rule four (‘profiles are for people, not companies’) is unique to this community and distinguishes that the group seeks value from individuals rather than from larger entities. This is another example of a rule that defines and protects the community rather than limiting what its intended members can do.

Integrate guidelines into onboarding

Introducing community rules during onboarding is a great way to familiarize new members with your expectations. Platforms like Slack and Disco make this part of the registration process, so members see the rules before they even start participating. Presenting rules upfront helps establish a clear understanding and promotes positive interactions from the start.

To create an effective onboarding experience, consider adding the following steps:

• Include a welcome message that introduces the community’s mission and values.
• Highlight key rules in a concise, easy-to-read format.
• Use a checkbox or acknowledgment step to confirm members have read and agreed to the rules.

When members understand the expectations early, they are more likely to contribute meaningfully and align with the community’s culture.

Conflict resolution framework

Having a transparent conflict resolution process helps communities handle rule violations consistently and fairly. Platforms like Spotify and Product Hunt outline clear steps for addressing issues, from reporting violations to enacting consequences. This transparency fosters trust among members and ensures everyone is held to the same standards.

An effective conflict resolution framework includes:

1. Reporting: Provide an easy way for members to report rule violations, such as a dedicated form or direct contact with moderators.
2. Review: Assign moderators to review reports promptly and assess whether a rule has been violated.
3. Response: Communicate the decision to the involved parties, outlining any consequences clearly.
4. Appeals: Allow members to appeal decisions if they believe a mistake was made, creating an opportunity for fairness and clarity.

A clear framework creates accountability and helps the community stay focused on constructive, respectful interactions.

Tips for creating community guidelines

Creating community guidelines doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are simple, actionable tips to set the right tone and keep your community thriving:

1. Start with a mission

Begin with your community’s purpose. Share why it exists and what members can gain by joining. A clear mission brings everyone together and sets the stage for meaningful interactions.

2. Set clear rules

Be specific about what’s allowed and what’s not. Include actionable examples, like no spam, no hate speech, or no trolling, and outline the consequences for breaking the rules. This helps everyone understand how to participate respectfully.

3. Focus on the positives

Encourage what members can do, like starting relevant discussions or sharing helpful tips. Positive guidelines keep the vibe welcoming and make members excited to engage.

4. Use your brand’s voice

Write your rules in a tone that feels like your brand. Whether your voice is warm, professional, or fun, let it guide the language of your guidelines. This helps set the tone for your community.

5. Involve your members

Ask your members for input. A quick survey or feedback session can uncover ideas to make your guidelines stronger and more inclusive. When members contribute, they feel invested.

6. Make them easy to find

Keep your guidelines front and center. Add them to your community space, share them in welcome emails, and highlight them during onboarding. When they’re easy to access, members know what’s expected right from the start.

These tips can help you create guidelines that are clear, approachable, and aligned with your community’s goals.

How to build your community rules with confidence

It’s time to create a set of rules that align with your community’s values and goals. Use the examples we’ve shared as inspiration to craft rules that reflect what matters most to your members.

Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating existing rules, having a clear and comprehensive framework helps members understand expectations and build a positive, collaborative environment.

To make it even easier, consider using a guideline template. This can save time and help you organize your rules effectively. Here’s a suggested template to get started:

Example community rules template

• Welcome and purpose
  • Introduce the community’s mission and highlight its purpose.
  • Include a friendly welcome message to set the tone.
• Core values
  • Outline the values that guide your community, such as respect, collaboration, and inclusivity.
• Behavior guidelines
  • Clearly state acceptable and unacceptable behaviors.
  • Provide specific examples to make expectations actionable.
• Privacy and safety
  • Describe how personal information is protected.
  • Outline steps members can take to report issues or violations.
• Conflict resolution
  • Share the process for addressing disputes or violations.
  • Include steps for reporting, review, and resolution.
• Enforcement procedures
  • Detail consequences for breaking the rules, such as warnings, suspensions, or bans.

Use this structure to draft rules tailored to your community. 

Common questions

1. Does anything happen if a member doesn’t follow the community rules?

Community rules are there to keep the group engaging and positive for everyone. When a member doesn’t follow the rules, it can disrupt the experience for others. Many communities have consequences for rule violations, which may include warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans.

Reddit, for example, takes a tiered approach to enforcement. Moderators start with warnings for minor infractions and escalate to bans for repeated or severe violations. This approach holds members accountable and builds trust in the fairness of the rules.

The specific consequences are up to the group moderators. It’s always a good idea to follow the rules and contribute to creating a respectful and enjoyable space for everyone.

2. Are you allowed to change or modify rules in your own community group?

Absolutely. Your community, your rules. Community needs evolve, and so should your guidelines.

Take a cue from platforms like Discord, which regularly revisits and updates its rules to stay relevant. An annual review or adjustments after significant incidents keeps the rules in line with current needs and challenges.

Listening to your community is key. Group polls or feedback discussions can reveal valuable insights into what’s working and what might need to change. Updating rules shows your commitment to creating a space that reflects the values and goals of your community.

3. Can there be exceptions to violations of community rules?

This depends on your community’s approach. Some groups have a zero-tolerance policy, while others allow for flexibility.

Training moderators on how to handle exceptions is crucial. Product Hunt, for example, provides moderators with a clear code of conduct. This ensures decisions are fair, consistent, and based on the community’s values.

For smaller communities, exceptions might involve issuing warnings or having a conversation with the member to clarify the rules. For larger communities, automated systems might handle infractions, leaving little room for leniency.

When creating your community, think about how you’d like to approach exceptions. Providing clear guidance to moderators helps them make impartial decisions and fosters trust among members.

Create guidelines that empower and unite your community

Your community rules set the tone for everything that happens within your space. By crafting guidelines that reflect your values, you’re building a foundation for meaningful connections and lasting engagement.

Start small, listen to your members, and be open to evolving your rules as your community grows. With the right approach, your guidelines will become the backbone of a thriving, supportive community where everyone feels they belong.

---

This blog was originally published in August 2023, it’s since been updated in December 2024 to include the newest information.