Content Guidelines

Last Updated: December 27, 2024

Welcome to TastyPlates! These Content Guidelines help ensure our community remains helpful, respectful, and authentic. By posting content on TastyPlates, you agree to follow these guidelines.

Core Principles

1. Be Authentic

• Write reviews based on your genuine experiences
• Post your own photos (no stock images)
• Disclose any conflicts of interest
• Don't post fake or misleading reviews

2. Be Respectful

• Treat others with courtesy and respect
• Avoid personal attacks or harassment
• Respect different opinions and preferences
• Be constructive in your criticism

3. Be Helpful

• Provide specific, detailed feedback
• Include useful information for other diners
• Update reviews if circumstances change
• Answer questions from other users

What You Can Post

Restaurant Reviews

✅ Allowed:

• Honest opinions about your dining experience
• Details about food quality, service, and ambiance
• Information about menu items, pricing, and portions
• Photos of your meals and the restaurant
• Tips and recommendations for other diners

❌ Not Allowed:

• Reviews of restaurants you haven't visited
• Multiple reviews of the same visit
• Reviews based solely on delivery or takeout (mark accordingly)
• Reviews that violate these guidelines

Photos

✅ Allowed:

• Photos of food, drinks, and dishes
• Restaurant interior and exterior shots
• Menu photos
• Photos of the dining experience

❌ Not Allowed:

• Stock photos or images from other sources
• Photos with offensive or inappropriate content
• Photos that invade others' privacy
• Heavily edited or misleading photos
• Photos containing personal information

Comments and Replies

✅ Allowed:

• Thoughtful responses to reviews
• Questions about experiences
• Additional tips and information
• Constructive discussions

❌ Not Allowed:

• Spam or promotional content
• Personal attacks or harassment
• Off-topic comments
• Attempts to manipulate ratings

Prohibited Content

Illegal Content

• Content that violates local, state, or federal laws
• Copyright or trademark infringement
• Content promoting illegal activities
• Content that endangers minors

Harmful Content

• Hate speech or discriminatory content
• Threats of violence or harm
• Harassment or bullying
• Sexually explicit content
• Graphic violence

Misleading Content

• Fake reviews or ratings
• Impersonation of others
• Deceptive or fraudulent content
• Manipulation of ratings or rankings

Spam and Commercial Content

• Unsolicited advertising or promotions
• Affiliate links without disclosure
• Repetitive or irrelevant content
• Mass-posting or automated posting

Conflicts of Interest

• Restaurant owners reviewing their own establishments
• Employees reviewing their workplace (without disclosure)
• Competitors posting negative reviews
• Paid reviews (without disclosure)

Restaurant-Specific Guidelines

Restaurant Owners

✅ You Can:

• Respond professionally to reviews
• Correct factual errors politely
• Thank customers for positive feedback
• Update your restaurant information

❌ You Cannot:

• Post fake positive reviews
• Ask for review removal (unless it violates guidelines)
• Threaten or harass reviewers
• Offer incentives for positive reviews

Reviewers

✅ You Should:

• Be fair and balanced in your assessment
• Focus on the food, service, and experience
• Mention both positives and negatives
• Update reviews if issues are resolved

❌ You Shouldn't:

• Use reviews to extort businesses
• Post based on personal vendettas
• Review based on single negative aspects
• Post during disputes with the restaurant

Rating Guidelines

Star Ratings

• 5 Stars: Exceptional experience, highly recommend
• 4 Stars: Very good experience, recommend
• 3 Stars: Good experience with some issues
• 2 Stars: Below average experience
• 1 Star: Poor experience, significant problems

Rating Criteria

Consider these factors when rating:

• Food quality and taste
• Service quality and attentiveness
• Atmosphere and ambiance
• Value for money
• Cleanliness and hygiene

Photo Guidelines

Quality Standards

• Clear and well-lit photos
• In-focus images
• Accurate representation of the food/restaurant
• Appropriate framing and composition

What to Avoid

• Blurry or dark photos
• Photos taken from other sources
• Over-edited or filtered photos
• Photos with personal information visible
• Photos that invade others' privacy

Privacy and Personal Information

Protect Your Privacy

• Don't share personal contact information publicly
• Be cautious about revealing your identity
• Control your profile visibility settings

Respect Others' Privacy

• Don't post photos of people without permission
• Don't share others' personal information
• Respect private conversations
• Don't screenshot and share private messages

Reporting Violations

How to Report

If you see content that violates these guidelines:

• Click the "Report" button on the content
• Select the reason for reporting
• Provide additional context if needed
• Submit the report

What Happens Next

• Our moderation team reviews all reports
• Action is taken within 24-48 hours
• Reporters are notified of the outcome
• Appeals can be submitted if you disagree

Consequences of Violations

First Violation

• Warning and content removal
• Explanation of the violation
• Educational resources provided

Repeated Violations

• Temporary account suspension
• Content removal
• Feature restrictions

Serious or Repeated Violations

• Permanent account termination
• Content deletion
• Potential legal action

Updates to These Guidelines

We may update these guidelines periodically. Continued use of TastyPlates after updates constitutes acceptance of the new guidelines.

Questions or Concerns

If you have questions about these guidelines or need clarification:

• Email: support@tastyplates.co
• Help Center: https://tastyplates.co/help
• Contact Form: https://tastyplates.co/contact

Tips for Great Reviews

Structure Your Review

• Start with a summary: Brief overview of your experience
• Describe the food: What you ordered and how it was
• Mention the service: How staff treated you
• Note the atmosphere: Ambiance and setting
• Conclude with recommendations: Would you return? What to order?

Be Specific

• Instead of "good food," say "perfectly cooked medium-rare steak"
• Instead of "bad service," say "waited 30 minutes for our order"
• Include dish names, prices, and timing when relevant

Add Context

• Mention when you visited (time of day, day of week)
• Note if it was busy or quiet
• Mention special occasions or circumstances
• Include dietary requirements if relevant

Use Helpful Language

• Be descriptive: "crispy," "tender," "flavorful"
• Be balanced: mention pros and cons
• Be constructive: suggest improvements
• Be fair: consider the restaurant's category and price point

Community Standards

We Value

• Diverse perspectives and experiences
• Constructive feedback
• Helpful and informative content
• Respectful discourse
• Authentic experiences

We Don't Tolerate

• Discrimination or bias
• Harassment or bullying
• Manipulation or deception
• Spam or abuse
• Illegal activity

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Thank you for helping make TastyPlates a trusted resource for food lovers everywhere. Together, we can build a community that celebrates great food and supports local restaurants!

Questions? Contact us at support@tastyplates.co