It's a shame that this is the first thing on the list, but it's a big problem, so we're saying this up front:

WriteHere is a site for people to write about issues and interests they care about, telling stories and sharing their original writing.

WriteHere is not an advertising or promotion site.

You are not welcome to post an ‘advertisement' for your blog, or YouTube channel, or product, or service, or anything else in your posts.

That means no links to other blogs, or personal websites, or Amazon pages, or YouTube channels, or Facebook pages, etc. And no pleas for people to 'like', or 'follow', or watch, or purchase.

This is for one simple reason: when we did allow such links, WriteHere was being used by far too many people purely as an advertising site, with more and more posts being little more than a plea for people to visit another site and buy something. WriteHere was in real danger of devolving into a mere search site.

Of course, links to relevant pages that support your post, to community notices, or charities, are always welcome.

We reserve the right to delete all posts that are merely unsolicited advertising, or contain "link bait". We also reserve the right to delete the accounts of those responsible.

If you come across content you believe to be unsolicited advertising, or full of spurious links, please flag it using the drop down menu at the top of every post so we can investigate.

On your Profile Page there are two sections where you can tell the world about yourself and your other activities - your “bio” and “find my writing online”.

In these sections you are welcome to include all references and/or links to other blogs, websites, Twitter feeds, Facebook pages, etc.

All “find my writing online” info is displayed in the “about the writer” box at the top of all posts. This means our readers can, and will, find you if you have entertained and interested them.

So, if you have an interest in a specific career or industry, you are welcome to write about it. Tell us about your passion for your chosen profession. Tell us why the work you do is helpful, revolutionary, or fun. Give insights into the challenges you face. Write something that readers will find interesting.

If you have professional advice to offer, write an article that provides helpful information.

If you've written a book, share an extract to give our readers a taste of your writing.

If you're writing is informative, helpful, stimulating ... if it leaves your readers wanting more, they will explore your Profile Page and discover the links you provide there.

To be clear: you can promote yourself, your blog, your novels, YouTube channel, etc., on your Profile Page. But not within the posts you write, please.

We encourage you to make comments. Lots of them.

Every writer needs encouragement in some form. It takes a lot of courage to put your words, your thoughts, yourself out there for all to see. Let's replenish that courage by giving each other some support. If you enjoy a post, even just a paragraph, or a witty line, let the writer know. If you disagree, respectfully say so.

However, the comment functionality is purely for making comments on other writer's posts. It is not a place to promote your own posts, or your blog site, or your product or service. And it is not a place to ask other writers to follow you. We reserve the right to delete 'comments' like this.

If you come across a comment you believe to be purely promotional, or against the spirit of the other Guidelines below, please flag it using the drop down menu within the comment box so we can investigate.

Please respect the right to free speech.

Opinions are personal. They are often different from yours. They may even be objectionable. But please respect the right of others to have their opinion when writing your own or making comments.

WriteHere is a global community forum that allows and encourages free thought and expression. Debate and disagreement are fine. That's one of the main reasons WriteHere exists. However, we will not tolerate bullies and arseholes.

Any writing or comment that may be construed as hateful against individuals, groups, or organisations based on criteria such as race, religion, disability, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or political affiliation is not allowed. Any writing or comment that encourages harm against any person, even self-inflicted, is not allowed.

As owners of this site we reserve the right to suspend content that is flagged to us as being abusive and ask for it to be edited. Repeat offenders will have their accounts terminated and denied future access.

You are solely responsible for the content you publish, but we are responsible for our community standards. We will remove your content if it's abusive.

Please respect the law.

Libel, slanderous, and defamatory opinions and comments are not allowed.

As owners of this site we reserve the right to suspend content that is flagged to us as being offensive and ask for it to be edited. Repeat offenders will have their accounts terminated and denied future access.

You are solely responsible for the content you publish, but we are responsible for our community standards. We will remove your content if it's offensive.

Please respect the right of people to be able to surf the Internet without having to stumble over inappropriate images or language when not expecting or searching for them.

WriteHere is not a place for erotica or pornography in any form. We will not allow gratuitously crude or indecent language, adult themed stories or images, sexual tips, advice or fetishism, information on adult toys or products, or links to external sites containing adult content.

There are plenty of other sites on the web for that; please use those sites if you feel that way inclined.

As owners of this site we reserve the right to delete content that is flagged to us as being inappropriate. We also reserve the right to delete the accounts of those responsible.

You are solely responsible for the content you publish, but we are responsible for our community standards. We will remove your content if it's inappropriate.

Please respect the intellectual property rights of others.

You would not want another writer to steal your ideas or copy your work. So please, never steal the work of others.

If someone else inspires you, give credit whenever it is due.

Quote other writers properly: name and source, please.

If you upload a picture to accompany your writing, you'll notice that we provide a space for you to input the source - the name of the photographer, the url or the name of the site - so that it will be displayed beneath the image.

Take the time to do these things, it's simple respect for other creatives and their efforts - they deserve as much credit for their work as you do for your writing.

If you are a copyright owner and you feel your work has been used without proper attribution or permission flag the content using the drop down menu at the top of every post, then send us an email us (flag at writehere dot com) and we will investigate.

As owners of this site we reserve the right to suspend content that is flagged to us as being stolen and ask for it to be edited. Repeat offenders will have their accounts terminated and denied future access.

You are solely responsible for the content you publish, but we are responsible for protecting the rights of our community. We will remove your content if it's stolen.

Please respect the Trademark rights of others.

People invest considerable time, effort and money into building their brands and reputations.

It doesn't matter if you're being naughty, or nice, it's always wrong to mislead others into thinking you represent a brand or business, you are endorsed by them, or you are affiliated with them.

If you are a trademark owner and you feel your good name has been misrepresented flag the content using the drop down menu at the top of every post, then send us an email us (flag at writehere dot com) and we will investigate.

As owners of this site we reserve the right to suspend content that is flagged to us as being in violation of someone else's Trademark and ask for it to be edited. Repeat offenders will have their accounts terminated and denied future access.

You are solely responsible for the content you publish, but we are responsible for protecting the rights of our community. We will remove your content if it's not what it claims to be.

Please respect the right of individuals, organisations and brands to speak for themselves.

Using someone else's name to post opinions and comments is not allowed.

If you believe someone is posting under the wrong identity please flag the content using the drop down menu at the top of every post and we will investigate.

As owners of this site we reserve the right to suspend content that is flagged to us as being written by an impostor and ask for it to be edited. Repeat offenders will have their accounts terminated and denied future access.

You are solely responsible for the content you publish, but we are responsible for protecting the rights of our community. We will remove your content and delete your account if you try to assume someone else's identity.

These Guidelines are subject to change at any time. Please review them periodically.