Community Guidelines
Blend is built by and for the ethical non-monogamy community. These guidelines exist to keep our space safe, respectful, and welcoming for everyoneâregardless of relationship structure, identity, or experience level.
Our Core Values
đ Authenticity
Be yourself. Be honest about who you are, what you're looking for, and your relationship situation. The ENM community thrives on transparency.
đ¤ Consent
Consent is the foundation of ethical non-monogamy. This applies to every interaction on Blendâfrom messaging to partner linking to meeting in person.
đŹ Communication
Clear, honest communication prevents misunderstandings and builds trust. Say what you mean, ask clarifying questions, and don't assume.
đ Respect
Our community includes people of all identities, orientations, and relationship structures. Treat everyone with respect, even if their approach differs from yours.
Be Authentic
Use Real, Recent Photos
- All photos should clearly show your face
- Photos should be from the last 2 years
- No heavy filters that significantly alter your appearance
- No photos of other people as your main profile photo
Be Honest About Your Situation
- Accurately represent your relationship status
- Be upfront about what you're looking for
- Don't pretend to be single if you're not
- Disclose relevant information before meeting
Partner Linking
- Only link partners who have explicitly consented
- Ensure your partners know you're on Blend
- Don't pressure others into linking
Practice Consent
Respect Boundaries
- Accept "no" gracefullyâthe first time
- Don't continue messaging someone who hasn't responded
- Don't unmatch and rematch to get around blocks
- Respect people's stated limits and preferences
Ask Before Escalating
- Get consent before sending explicit content
- Ask before moving to other platforms or meeting IRL
- Check in about comfort levels in games and conversations
Don't Pressure
- No guilt-tripping about response times
- No pressuring for photos, personal info, or meetings
- No ultimatums or manipulation tactics
Communicate Clearly
Be Direct
- State your intentions and expectations clearly
- Ask questions instead of making assumptions
- If you're no longer interested, it's okay to say so
Handle Rejection Gracefully
- Not every match will lead to a connectionâthat's normal
- Don't lash out when rejected
- Don't demand explanations or "closure"
Show Respect
Identity Respect
- Use people's correct names and pronouns
- Don't question or invalidate anyone's identity
- Respect all relationship structures as equally valid
- Don't gatekeep what counts as "real" polyamory or ENM
Treat Partners Equally
- Don't disparage someone's other partners
- Respect metamour boundaries
- Understand that hierarchical and non-hierarchical relationships are both valid
No Discrimination
Blend has zero tolerance for discrimination based on:
- Race, ethnicity, or national origin
- Gender identity or expression
- Sexual orientation
- Disability
- Religion
- Body type or appearance
- Relationship structure or experience level
Prohibited Content
Never Allowed
- Hate speech: Content promoting violence or hatred against any group
- Harassment: Repeated unwanted contact, threats, or intimidation
- Illegal content: Anything depicting or promoting illegal activities
- Minor exploitation: Any content involving minors in a sexual contextâinstant permanent ban
- Non-consensual content: Sharing intimate images without consent ("revenge porn")
- Spam and scams: Commercial solicitation, phishing, financial scams
- Impersonation: Pretending to be someone you're not
Profile Photos
Profile photos must not contain:
- Nudity or sexually explicit content
- Violence or gore
- Minors (unless it's clearly a family photo and the profile is verified)
- Illegal substances or paraphernalia
- Hate symbols or offensive imagery
Private Messages
Even in private messages, you must not:
- Send unsolicited explicit content without prior consent
- Share others' private information
- Make threats or engage in harassment
- Attempt to solicit money or promote scams
Trust and Vouching
Honest Vouching
- Only vouch for people you've actually met in person
- Be honest in your vouchesâsafety depends on it
- Don't trade vouches or vouch for strangers
- Report fake or misleading vouches
Trust Scores
- Trust scores are informational, not guarantees
- A high trust score doesn't mean someone is safe
- Always use your own judgment when meeting people
Events
Event Hosts
- Accurately describe your event
- Ensure your event complies with local laws
- Take responsibility for attendee safety
- Moderate your event chat appropriately
Event Attendees
- Follow the host's guidelines and rules
- Respect consent culture at all events
- Report concerning behavior to hosts and Blend
Reporting and Enforcement
How to Report
If you experience or witness a violation:
- In-app: Tap the "..." menu on any profile or message and select "Report"
- Email: Contact safety@blendapp.com for urgent issues
- Emergency: Contact local authorities if you're in immediate danger
What Happens When You Report
- Our moderation team reviews the report within 24 hours (usually faster)
- We investigate and gather evidence as needed
- We take appropriate action based on severity
- We may follow up with you for additional information
Enforcement Actions
Depending on severity, we may:
- Warn: Issue a warning for first-time minor violations
- Suspend: Temporarily suspend accounts (24 hours to 30 days)
- Ban: Permanently ban users for serious or repeated violations
- Report to authorities: Contact law enforcement for illegal activity
Appeals
If you believe an action was taken in error, you can appeal through the app or by emailing appeals@blendapp.com. Appeals are reviewed by a different moderator than the one who took the original action.
Safety Tips
Before Meeting
- Video chat first to verify they match their photos
- Tell a friend where you're going and who you're meeting
- Use Blend's share location feature with a trusted contact
- Trust your instinctsâif something feels off, don't go
First Meeting
- Meet in a public place
- Arrange your own transportation
- Keep your phone charged
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Have an exit plan
Ongoing Safety
- Discuss STI status and testing before intimacy
- Use Blend's consent checklist feature
- Check in with partners about comfort and boundaries
A Note from Our Team
We built Blend because we're part of this community too. We know how hard it can be to find spaces that understand and support ethical non-monogamy. These guidelines aren't about policingâthey're about creating the kind of community we all want to be part of.
If you have suggestions for improving these guidelines, we'd love to hear from you at community@blendapp.com.
Thank you for being part of Blend. Let's build something amazing together. đ