> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rtfm.guide/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Content Moderation

> How RTFM.guide keeps the community safe and spam-free

## 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

## What Gets Moderated?

### 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

### 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

## Moderation Statuses

### For Comments

| Status       | What It Means          | Visibility                |
| ------------ | ---------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Pending**  | Awaiting moderation    | Author only               |
| **Approved** | Passed review          | Everyone                  |
| **Rejected** | Violated guidelines    | No one                    |
| **Flagged**  | Reported, under review | Everyone (until decision) |

### For Guides

| Status        | What It Means       | Visibility                |
| ------------- | ------------------- | ------------------------- |
| **Published** | Live and public     | Everyone                  |
| **Flagged**   | Under review        | Everyone (until decision) |
| **Hidden**    | Removed by mods     | No one                    |
| **Deleted**   | Permanently removed | No one                    |

## Moderation Rules

### We Moderate For:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Spam" icon="ban">
    * Self-promotion without value
    * Repeated identical posts
    * Off-topic content
    * Link spam
    * Bot activity
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Harassment" icon="shield">
    * Personal attacks
    * Hate speech
    * Threats or intimidation
    * Doxing
    * Discrimination
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Inappropriate Content" icon="eye-slash">
    * Explicit sexual content
    * Gore or violence
    * Illegal content
    * Malware or phishing
    * Copyright violation
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Misinformation" icon="circle-exclamation">
    * Deliberately false information
    * Dangerous advice
    * Plagiarized content
    * Impersonation
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### 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

## Moderation Process

### How Comments Are Reviewed

<Steps>
  <Step title="Submission">
    User posts first comment
  </Step>

  <Step title="Queue">
    Comment enters moderation queue
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review">
    Moderator reviews within 24 hours
  </Step>

  <Step title="Decision">
    Approved, rejected, or flagged for secondary review
  </Step>

  <Step title="Notification">
    User notified of decision (if rejected)
  </Step>
</Steps>

### How Reports Are Handled

<Steps>
  <Step title="Report Submitted">
    User flags content with reason
  </Step>

  <Step title="Initial Review">
    Automated checks for clear violations
  </Step>

  <Step title="Manual Review">
    Moderator examines reported content
  </Step>

  <Step title="Action Taken">
    Content approved, hidden, or removed
  </Step>

  <Step title="Notification">
    Reporter and author notified
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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

## 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

<Info>
  **Good faith appeals**: We review all appeals fairly. Be respectful and provide context.
</Info>

## For Moderators

### 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

### Moderator Guidelines

Moderators follow strict guidelines:

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

## 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)

## Automated Moderation

### Spam Detection

Automated systems catch:

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

### Safety Filters

Automated filters for:

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

## Best Practices for Users

### Avoid Moderation

* Read and follow [Community Guidelines](/community/community-guidelines)
* Be respectful and constructive
* Stay on topic
* Credit sources
* Report issues, don't retaliate

### If Your Content Is Moderated

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

## 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