Why rules matter
Rules are a contract with your members. They set expectations, give moderators grounds to act and reduce conflicts. Without them, any ban looks arbitrary.
What they should be
- Short — 5–10 points people will actually read.
- Specific — "no ads without approval", not "be nice".
- With consequences — warning, mute, ban: a clear ladder of sanctions.
Where to put them
Pin the rules in the chat and repeat them in the welcome message. Newcomers should see them immediately, not hunt for them. Requiring members to confirm agreement on entry works well.
How to enforce
Rules without enforcement are useless. Set up automatic reminders and sanctions: Mod Assistant Bot can show rules to newcomers and issue warnings and mutes by triggers, taking load off moderators. Apply rules equally to everyone — otherwise trust in the community erodes.