Some forums use long rule lists and strict formatting, others rely on short, flexible guidelines. Which format works better for your environment? Do detailed rules reduce conflict or overwhelm newcomers? How do you update rules as your community grows?
Community Rules: Detailed or Simple?
- Thread starter Maya
- Start date
I'd argue quite strongly, long or short it doesn't really matter because they never get read. I'd also suggest that forum rules are not so much for your members, more for your moderators to apply for consistency when a member behaves badly.
I have a forum that offers within the rules a $100 Amazon voucher to anyone who asks for it. No one has ever asked and the forum has been running for nearly 20 years!
But regardless, I do believe that less is usually more so keep things simple 🙂
I have a forum that offers within the rules a $100 Amazon voucher to anyone who asks for it. No one has ever asked and the forum has been running for nearly 20 years!
But regardless, I do believe that less is usually more so keep things simple 🙂
If the Rule page looks like the default that comes with the software, then I don't bother to read it.
On Christianity Haven, we prefer to have a shorter list of rules to make it easier for members to remember. Our biggest violation is the No Flaming rule. We barely have any others broken, but they're still important rules.
On Christianity Haven, we prefer to have a shorter list of rules to make it easier for members to remember. Our biggest violation is the No Flaming rule. We barely have any others broken, but they're still important rules.
I like to keep my rules simple. I think it can be a bit overwhelming if a forum has a large set of rules. As long as you treat others with respect, don't share spam or illegal content on the forums, or ask to be staff when staff is not needed then you're cool in my book!
Used to be very detailed. In fact, I really enjoyed writing them.
But too many rules for forums these days means less people will join. Why should they? They can go to reddit or social and not have to deal with such strict moderators.
Strict or too many rules is a great way to drive traffic away from your forum.
I'm working on keeping everything shorter these days.
But too many rules for forums these days means less people will join. Why should they? They can go to reddit or social and not have to deal with such strict moderators.
Strict or too many rules is a great way to drive traffic away from your forum.
I'm working on keeping everything shorter these days.
Here's mine on my general forum:
Be cool, don’t be cruel, don’t post illegal or spammy stuff, and tag NSFW.
By hanging out here, you agree to keep the place welcoming and legal. Now—talk whatever!
Be cool, don’t be cruel, don’t post illegal or spammy stuff, and tag NSFW.
- Be decent. No harassment, personal attacks, hate speech, or threats. Disagree with ideas, not people.
- No illegal content. Don’t post or request anything unlawful (piracy, doxxing, hacking, etc.).
- Keep it (mostly) safe for work. Adult/graphic topics are allowed only if clearly tagged “NSFW” and kept in the right section. No sexual content involving minors—ever.
- No spam or scams. Real conversations over self-promotion. Ads and links are okay only in the spots we designate for them and with context.
- Respect privacy. Don’t share anyone’s private information without consent. Screenshots/chats: ask first or blur.
- Quality over chaos. Use clear titles, stay roughly on topic within a thread, and don’t flood or derail conversations.
- One person, one account. Sockpuppets and ban evasion aren’t cool.
- Mind copyrights. Share your own stuff or give proper credit; no full paywalled drops.
- Report, don’t retaliate. If something crosses a line, use the report button or ping a mod.
- We prefer nudges over nukes: warn → hide/move → short timeout → ban (only if needed).
- Mods may remove content that clearly breaks these rules or wrecks the vibe. We’ll explain when we can.
- If you think we got it wrong, DM a mod—we’re happy to review.
- Tag spoilers and NSFW.
- Use descriptive titles.
- If you’re promoting something, add value (summary, why it’s useful) and put it in the right area.
By hanging out here, you agree to keep the place welcoming and legal. Now—talk whatever!
IPS Software doesn't come with its set rules; it's blank, and it should also be, XD
Making it short but defined at he same time beats the round. I mean you ahve to make it easy enough to understand, not just for your members but also your staff and yourself. So many people got away with the rules when the staff members have no idea about the rules or do not understand them.
Also, you do not want to lose your people/members and make them run away, anyway,ay most of the time it ends up breaking 😛 - Just as long as the staff team doesn't do it too often, otherwise you are pooped
Making it short but defined at he same time beats the round. I mean you ahve to make it easy enough to understand, not just for your members but also your staff and yourself. So many people got away with the rules when the staff members have no idea about the rules or do not understand them.
Also, you do not want to lose your people/members and make them run away, anyway,ay most of the time it ends up breaking 😛 - Just as long as the staff team doesn't do it too often, otherwise you are pooped
As a owner of two forums and a staff on half a dozen forums, I have also noticed that members do not read rules. if you make it necessary to agree to the rules before they can use their account, they will just hit agree without reading. However, having a rule also saves you from unnecessary disputes in case something comes up.
I read recently that an insurance company was also offering a lot of money just to read the agreement, and in their entire time for being on the business, only one customer actually read the agreements.
This is how I would like to run my forum as well. Just keeping things as they should be. I won't want to handle a forum where the list of rules is in thousands of words. It's just a forum rule for goodness' sake and not the constitution guiding a country.
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