Book Tribe exists for one reason: to give readers a place to be fully, honestly themselves — and to find other people who get it.
We believe the books you love reveal something true and specific about who you are. The people in this community have chosen to share that with each other. That's an act of trust, and we take it seriously.
These Community Guidelines exist to make sure Book Tribe stays the kind of place worth belonging to. They apply to everyone — every profile, every message, every interaction on the platform.
The short version: be a person you'd want to read with.
| Principle | What it means | |
|---|---|---|
| 📚 | Books first | Every connection here starts with books. Keep that at the centre of how you show up. |
| 🤝 | Respect always | Readers come from every background, every perspective, every life experience. Treat everyone with basic human respect. |
| 🛡️ | Safety matters | Book Tribe is open to readers of all ages, with age-appropriate access to features. We are all responsible for keeping this space safe and for reporting anything that doesn't feel right. |
| 💬 | Honesty, not cruelty | You can disagree about books — passionately, even. But there is no place for cruelty here. |
| 🔖 | Own your behaviour | You are responsible for what you post, what you message, and how you treat other members. |
Book Tribe is built around the idea that who you are as a reader says something real and meaningful about you. That means people here are sharing something genuine. Treat that with the respect it deserves.
- Respectful disagreement about books, genres, and authors
- Honest reviews and opinions about books, expressed thoughtfully
- Asking questions and engaging curiously with other readers
- Sharing your own reading experiences, including difficult or emotional responses to books
- Setting boundaries in conversations and declining connections politely
- Harassment, bullying, or intimidation of any other user
- Personal attacks, insults, or targeted cruelty toward another user
- Sending repeated unwanted messages after someone has declined to engage
- Threatening language of any kind
- Contacting a user through other platforms or channels after being blocked on Book Tribe
- Publicly sharing private conversations without the other person's consent
- Mocking, ridiculing, or shaming another user's reading choices or taste
- Warning issued for first-time minor violations
- Temporary suspension for repeated or more serious harassment
- Permanent account termination for severe or sustained harassment or threatening behaviour
Book Tribe is available to readers of all ages, with access to features determined by age tier. We take the safety of all users — and particularly younger users — extremely seriously. Age-based access is enforced as follows:
| Age group | Access |
|---|---|
| Under 13 | Reading features, bookshelf, and Reading Personality only. No messaging, matching, or community features. Verifiable parental consent required. |
| 13 to 17 | Reading features, bookshelf, Reading Personality, book clubs, and friends features. No romantic matching or connection features. |
| 18 and over | Full access to all Platform features including matching and connection features. |
2.1 Protecting Younger Users
The safety of users under 18 is our highest priority. The following rules apply absolutely and without exception:
- Any adult attempting to contact, message, or connect with a user under 18 through matching or connection features
- Any user misrepresenting their age to access age-restricted features
- Any content that sexualises, exploits, or endangers minors — this is illegal and will be reported to authorities immediately
- Adults appearing in the discovery or matching feeds of users under 18
- Any user attempting to move a conversation with a younger user off-platform
- Immediate permanent account termination
- Matter reported to the Australian Federal Police, the eSafety Commissioner, and relevant international authorities
- Full cooperation with law enforcement
2.2 Sexual Content
Book Tribe is a reading community. Sexual content of any kind is not permitted on the platform.
- Sexually explicit content in profiles, messages, or any part of the platform
- Unsolicited sexually suggestive messages or images
- Any content that sexualises minors — this is illegal and will be immediately reported to authorities
- Requests for sexual content from any user
- Immediate permanent account termination
- Illegal content reported to the Australian Federal Police and eSafety Commissioner
- Full cooperation with law enforcement
2.3 Personal Safety
We want connections that start on Book Tribe to flourish. If you meet someone here and choose to take the conversation offline, please exercise the same caution you would with anyone you've met online.
- Taking conversations at your own pace — you never owe anyone a response
- Blocking users who make you uncomfortable — no explanation needed
- Reporting any behaviour that makes you feel unsafe
- Sharing only what you are comfortable sharing
The content you share — on your profile, in messages, and anywhere else on the platform — should reflect that Book Tribe is a reading community.
3.1 Profiles
- A genuine profile photo or avatar
- An honest description of who you are as a reader
- Your actual bookshelf — books you have genuinely read or want to read
- Reading preferences, favourite genres, and favourite authors
- Profile photos containing nudity, sexual content, or graphic violence
- Fake or misleading profile information
- Impersonating another person, author, or public figure
- Using another person's photos without their consent
- Contact information in your profile — use the platform's messaging features
3.2 Messages
- Genuine conversation about books, reading, and shared interests
- Getting to know your matches as people
- Sharing book recommendations and reading experiences
- Politely declining to continue a conversation
- Sending unsolicited images of any kind
- Spam — repeated identical messages or bulk messaging
- Sharing another user's messages publicly without their consent
- Using messages to solicit money, gifts, or personal information
- Sending external links designed to harvest personal information
- Commercial solicitation or advertising of any kind
3.3 Hate Speech and Discrimination
Book Tribe is a community that celebrates the full spectrum of human experience through literature. There is no place for hate here.
- Content that promotes hatred, discrimination, or violence against any person or group based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic
- Slurs, dehumanising language, or content designed to degrade any person or group
- Content that promotes or glorifies extremist ideologies or organisations
- Content removed immediately
- Account suspended pending review
- Permanent termination for serious or repeated violations
3.4 Misinformation and Spam
- Deliberately spreading false or misleading information
- Creating fake reviews or ratings of books to manipulate recommendations
- Automated or bot-generated activity of any kind
- Pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, or any form of financial solicitation
The reading community exists because authors create. We take intellectual property seriously.
- Sharing substantial portions of copyrighted book content
- Uploading pirated or illegally obtained book files
- Reproducing another person's reviews or writing without attribution or permission
- Linking to copyright-infringing material
- Quoting short passages for the purpose of review or discussion
- Sharing your own original writing and reviews
- Linking to legitimate, legal sources of book content
If you believe your copyright has been infringed on Book Tribe, please contact us at hello@booktribe.com.au with the subject line 'Copyright Notice'.
The same standards that apply across the platform apply in book clubs. Club creators carry additional responsibility for the tone and safety of their space.
5.1 Club Creators
- You are responsible for the culture of your book club
- Set clear expectations for your members at the outset
- Actively moderate your club — address problematic behaviour promptly
- Do not use a book club to harass, target, or exclude specific users
- Do not use a book club for commercial promotion without Book Tribe's prior approval
5.2 Club Members
- Respect the reading choices and opinions of fellow members
- Spoiler warnings — always flag plot spoilers before discussing them
- Constructive disagreement about books is welcome; personal attacks are not
- If a club feels unsafe or violates these guidelines, report it using the in-app reporting tool
No set of guidelines can cover every situation. When something feels wrong, trust that instinct and report it. You will never be penalised for making a good-faith report.
6.1 How to Report
- In-app: tap the three dots (⋯) on any profile, message, or content and select 'Report'
- Email: hello@booktribe.com.au — subject: Safety Report
- Urgent safety concerns: safety@booktribe.com.au
6.2 What Happens After You Report
| Timeframe | What we do |
|---|---|
| Within 24 hours | All reports acknowledged. Urgent safety reports reviewed immediately. |
| Within 72 hours | Investigation completed for most reports. Action taken where a violation is found. |
| Ongoing | Serious violations monitored. Repeat offenders tracked across accounts. |
| Where required by law | Reports made to the eSafety Commissioner and law enforcement where content involves illegal activity. |
6.3 Moderation Outcomes
| Action | When applied |
|---|---|
| Content removal | Minor or first-time violation where the account is not otherwise at risk |
| Warning | First or minor violation where the user appears to have acted without intent to harm |
| Temporary suspension | Repeated minor violations or a moderate violation — 24 hours to 30 days |
| Permanent termination | Severe violations, repeated serious violations, or illegal activity |
| Referral to authorities | Any content involving illegal activity — reported immediately |
6.4 Appeals
If you believe a moderation action taken against your account was made in error, you may appeal by contacting us at hello@booktribe.com.au with the subject line 'Moderation Appeal' within 14 days. Include your account details and a description of why you believe the action was incorrect. We aim to respond within 7 business days. Our decision on appeal is final.
Books explore the full range of human experience — including grief, trauma, mental illness, addiction, abuse, and loss. Conversations about these topics are welcome and important on Book Tribe. We simply ask that they are handled with care.
7.1 Content Warnings
When discussing books or sharing content that deals with sensitive topics — including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, sexual violence, or severe trauma — please include a content warning at the start of your message or post.
7.2 Supporting Each Other
If a fellow member appears to be in distress, the most helpful thing you can do is respond with compassion and, where appropriate, point them toward professional support. Book Tribe is a reading community — we are not trained mental health professionals and cannot provide crisis support.
7.3 Content That Promotes Harm
- Content that glorifies, promotes, or provides instructions for self-harm or suicide
- Content that promotes eating disorders or dangerous weight loss practices
- Content that glamourises or encourages substance abuse
- Content designed to trigger or distress other users
Book Tribe may update these Community Guidelines from time to time as the platform grows and evolves. When we make significant changes, we will notify you via email and display a notice in the app. Your continued use of Book Tribe after updated guidelines take effect constitutes acceptance of the changes.
These guidelines exist to protect the community — not to police it. If you have a question about whether something is appropriate, reach out. We'd rather you ask.
- General enquiries: hello@booktribe.com.au
- Safety reports: safety@booktribe.com.au
- Copyright notices: hello@booktribe.com.au — subject: Copyright Notice
- Moderation appeals: hello@booktribe.com.au — subject: Moderation Appeal
- Website: booktribe.com.au