Community Guidelines

Keeping Whidbey Island Bulletin a safe, respectful, and useful resource for our community.

Our Community Values

The Whidbey Island Bulletin is a community resource built by and for Whidbey Island residents. We believe in fostering a welcoming environment where neighbors can connect, local businesses can thrive, and everyone can find what they need.

Respect

Treat others with dignity and kindness

Honesty

Be truthful in all listings and communications

Community

Support our local Whidbey Island community

Acceptable Content

We welcome content that serves our local community:

Classified Ads

Items for sale (furniture, vehicles, electronics, etc.)
Services offered by local residents and businesses
Housing rentals and real estate
Job postings and employment opportunities
Free items and community giveaways

Business Directory

Local businesses serving Whidbey Island
Nonprofits and community organizations
Government offices and public services
Community events and announcements
Special offers and promotions from local businesses

Prohibited Content

The following content is not allowed and will be removed. Repeat violations may result in account suspension.

Illegal Items and Activities

Illegal drugs and controlled substances
Stolen property or goods of questionable origin
Counterfeit items or knockoffs
Items that violate copyright or trademark laws
Services promoting illegal activities
Recalled products or unsafe goods

Harmful or Offensive Content

Hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
Threats, violence, or intimidation
Adult or sexually explicit content
Content exploiting minors
Personal attacks or defamation
Graphic violence or disturbing imagery

Spam and Deceptive Practices

Duplicate or repetitive listings
Misleading titles or descriptions
Pyramid schemes or MLM recruitment
Phishing or scam attempts
Fake reviews or testimonials
Bait-and-switch tactics

Behavior Expectations

When communicating with others on the platform:

Do
Be polite and professional in all communications
Do
Respond promptly to inquiries about your listings
Do
Provide accurate information and honest descriptions
Do
Mark items as sold or remove expired listings
Don't
Send unsolicited promotional messages
Don't
Share others' personal information without consent
Don't
Use offensive language or make personal attacks

Enforcement

We review reported content and take action to maintain community standards. Enforcement actions are based on the severity and frequency of violations.

First Violation

Content removal and a warning notification. We'll explain what violated the guidelines.

Repeated Violations

Temporary suspension of posting privileges (typically 7-30 days).

Severe or Continued Violations

Permanent account suspension and removal of all listings.

Reporting Violations

If you see content that violates these guidelines, please report it. Your reports help keep our community safe and useful for everyone.

How to Report

1.Click the "Report" link on any listing, business, or post
2.Select the reason for your report
3.Provide any additional details that might help us review
4.Our team will review and take appropriate action

For urgent issues or to appeal a decision, please contact us directly.

Questions?

If you have questions about these guidelines or need clarification on what's allowed, we're here to help.

Last updated: December 2024