Content Moderation

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Our Approach

RTFM.guide uses a balanced approach to moderation:

• Automated first-line defense: Spam prevention and basic filtering
• Community reporting: Users flag problematic content
• Manual review: Human moderators make final decisions
• Transparent: Clear guidelines and appeal process

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What Gets Moderated?

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Comments

All comments are subject to moderation: First-Time Commenters

• First comment from each user is held for review
• Typically reviewed within 24 hours
• Once approved, future comments post immediately
• Auto-approval after first successful comment

Subsequent Comments

• Posted immediately
• Subject to community reports
• Reviewed if flagged

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Guides

Guides are generally not pre-moderated, but can be:

• Reported by users
• Reviewed if flagged
• Removed if violating guidelines
• Author notified of actions taken

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Moderation Statuses

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For Comments

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For Guides

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Moderation Rules

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We Moderate For:

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We Don’t Moderate For:

• Disagreement: Different opinions are welcome
• Criticism: Constructive feedback is allowed
• Casual language: Within SFW/NSFW boundaries
• Technical accuracy: Unless dangerously wrong
• Minor errors: Typos and small mistakes

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Moderation Process

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How Comments Are Reviewed

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How Reports Are Handled

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Moderator Actions

Moderators can:

• Approve: Allow content to be visible
• Reject: Hide comment (first-time only)
• Remove: Hide content from everyone
• Warn: Send warning to user
• Suspend: Temporarily ban user
• Ban: Permanently remove user access

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Appeals Process

If your content was moderated:

1. Review the decision: Check your notification
2. Understand why: Read the reason provided
3. Appeal if appropriate: Contact support with:
   • Link to the content
   • Why you believe it was wrongly moderated
   • Any relevant context
4. Wait for review: Appeals reviewed within 48 hours
5. Decision: Final decision communicated

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For Moderators

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Becoming a Moderator

Currently, moderation is handled by the RTFM.guide team. Coming soon: Community moderator program

• Earn trust through participation
• Apply for moderator role
• Training and guidelines
• Moderation privileges

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Moderator Guidelines

Moderators follow strict guidelines:

• Review neutrally and fairly
• Follow documented policies
• No personal bias
• Explain decisions clearly
• Escalate unclear cases

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Transparency

We believe in transparency:

• Public guidelines: All rules are documented
• Reason provided: Moderation actions explained
• Appeal available: Every decision can be appealed
• Stats published: Moderation stats shared (coming soon)

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Automated Moderation

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Spam Detection

Automated systems catch:

• Known spam patterns
• Excessive links
• Rapid posting
• Duplicate content
• Suspicious accounts

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Safety Filters

Automated filters for:

• Explicit content
• Hate speech
• Malicious links
• Known malware

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Best Practices for Users

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Avoid Moderation

• Read and follow Community Guidelines
• Be respectful and constructive
• Stay on topic
• Credit sources
• Report issues, don’t retaliate

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If Your Content Is Moderated

• Stay calm and professional
• Read the reason carefully
• Learn from the feedback
• Appeal if appropriate
• Don’t circumvent moderation

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Coming Soon

• Community moderators: Trusted users help moderate
• Moderation log: Public transparency of actions
• Warning system: Graduated penalties
• Automated appeals: Faster appeal process
• Content filters: More granular content controls