When Does RealSelf Block Accounts?

Everyone deserves to feel safe on RealSelf and have an equal voice in the community, regardless of whether they’re a consumer or a doctor, sharing positive or negative opinions.

When Does RealSelf Block Accounts?

The majority of community members abide by the Code of Conduct on their own, or after chatting with a member of our moderation team. We contact only a tiny fraction of community members about content that doesn’t meet our guidelines.

Blocking an account is the last resort when a community member isn’t following our Code of Conduct.

Here are some situations where we do block accounts:

• Scams, spam and schemes. You know the drill. If you wouldn’t want it in your inbox, we don’t want it on RealSelf.
• Inappropriate behavior directed at other community members. Be supportive! Don’t post threats, bullying, name-calling, harassment or excessively inappropriate language.
• Directing people elsewhere including Facebook groups, WhatsApp and giving out yours or someone else’s contact information.
• Money changing hands such as selling surgery dates, recovery items and garments, MLM, GoFundMe and surgery donations.

Let’s Talk About What Happened

We understand that mistakes happen and we try our hardest to give people the benefit of the doubt. In general, we block accounts only when there are repeated violations of the Code of Conduct.

We have zero tolerance for any threats of violence or anything that makes someone feel unsafe on RealSelf. Those accounts will be blocked without warning and will not be reopened.

Do you feel someone is violating the guidelines? Let us know and we’ll look into it.