Acceptable Use Policy
Last updated: September 2026
This policy is incorporated into our Terms of Service. By posting on GetQuickHelp, you agree to both.
The short version: Post honestly. Don't post anything illegal, harmful, misleading, or exploitative. Treat other users the way you'd want to be treated. We remove posts that break these rules and block repeat offenders.
Purpose of this policy
GetQuickHelp is a platform for genuine local connections — people offering help, seeking help, and exchanging things locally. This policy sets out the specific rules for what you can post and how you can use the platform.
We enforce these rules to protect users from harm and to keep GetQuickHelp useful for everyone. Our moderation team reviews flagged content and makes final decisions on all removals.
What you can post
GetQuickHelp is designed for the following types of posts. This is not an exhaustive list — use common sense and ask yourself whether your post genuinely helps someone near you.
| Post type | Examples | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Local services offered | Cleaning, gardening, dog walking, tutoring, handyman, IT help | Be specific about what you offer, your location, and your rate |
| Help requested | Looking for a plumber, need a babysitter, seeking a dog walker | Include details so people know if they can help before responding |
| Items for sale | Furniture, white goods, bikes, electronics, children's items | Include condition, price, and photos where possible |
| Free items | Furniture, household items, garden tools — anything you're giving away | "Free" posts fill within minutes — be ready to respond quickly |
| Community notices | Events, lost pets, neighbourhood news, lift sharing, groups | Keep it local and relevant to your community |
| Accommodation | Room to rent, looking for a room, lodger wanted | Don't share your full address publicly — share area only |
| Local job opportunities | Part-time, casual, freelance, informal work | Be clear about pay, hours, and what the work involves |
For 50 specific post ideas with example titles, see our post ideas guide.
Prohibited content — full list
The following content is strictly prohibited and will be removed without notice. In serious cases, we will report content to the relevant authorities.
Illegal content
| Prohibited | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled drugs or drug paraphernalia | Selling, buying, or exchanging any controlled substance | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
| Weapons | Firearms, knives (with intent), replica weapons, ammunition | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
| Counterfeit or stolen goods | Fake designer items, stolen property, pirated media | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
| Illegal services | Unlicensed financial advice, unregistered childminding | Immediate removal |
| Wildlife and protected species | Selling protected animals, plants, or products | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
Harmful and exploitative content
| Prohibited | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Adult or sexual content | Explicit images, sexual services, escort or companionship listings | Immediate removal, IP block |
| Exploitation of vulnerable people | Targeting elderly, ill, or vulnerable people with predatory offers | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
| Child exploitation | Any content that could harm, exploit, or endanger a child | Immediate removal, mandatory law enforcement referral, zero tolerance |
| Human trafficking | Any content facilitating trafficking or forced labour | Immediate removal, mandatory law enforcement referral |
Harmful speech
| Prohibited | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Hate speech | Content targeting race, religion, gender, sexuality, disability, nationality, or ethnicity | Immediate removal, IP block |
| Harassment and threats | Threatening language, targeted abuse, doxxing (sharing personal data about others) | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
| Discriminatory service restrictions | Refusing to serve people based on protected characteristics | Immediate removal |
Fraud and deception
| Prohibited | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Scams and advance fee fraud | Fake prize notifications, deposit scams, "I'll send a cheque" schemes | Immediate removal, IP block |
| Fake job offers | Jobs requiring upfront payment for equipment or training, work-from-home pyramid schemes | Immediate removal |
| Misleading descriptions | Describing items or services dishonestly to attract interest | Removal, warning |
| Impersonation | Claiming to be a business, authority, or individual you are not | Immediate removal, IP block |
| Phishing | Directing users to fraudulent websites to steal their details | Immediate removal, potential law enforcement referral |
Platform abuse
| Prohibited | Examples | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Spam posting | Posting identical or substantially similar ads more than once | Duplicate removal, warning, then IP block |
| Automated or bulk posting | Using bots, scripts, or tools to post multiple ads | All posts removed, permanent IP block |
| Irrelevant commercial advertising | Mass-market products, national services with no local element | Removal |
| False reports | Using the report function to target legitimate posts maliciously | Loss of reporting privileges |
| Circumventing moderation | Creating new posts or email addresses after a ban to continue prohibited activity | Permanent block, potential escalation |
Content standards for permitted posts
Even for permitted post types, we expect the following standards:
- Honesty: Your post must accurately represent what you are offering or seeking. Misleading titles or descriptions designed to attract clicks are not permitted.
- Relevance: Posts should be genuinely local and relevant to users in the area you select.
- Completeness: Omitting material information (such as significant damage to an item for sale, or unlicensed status for a regulated service) is a violation of this policy.
- Privacy: Do not include personal data about third parties in your post without their consent.
Regulated services
Some services are regulated by law and require specific qualifications, licences, or registrations. Posting an ad for a regulated service without the required credentials is prohibited and potentially illegal.
| Service type | Regulatory requirement (UK) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Childminding (over 2 hours/day, under 8s) | Ofsted registration required | DBS check also required; disclose status in your ad |
| Electrical installation work | Part P registered or supervised | Minor repairs may not require registration — check Part P guidance |
| Gas work | Gas Safe registered | All gas work requires Gas Safe registration — no exceptions |
| Financial advice | FCA authorisation required | General budgeting help is fine; regulated financial advice is not |
| Solicitor or legal services | SRA authorisation required | General admin or paralegal help is fine; legal advice is regulated |
| Taxi / private hire | Local authority licence required | Casual lift-sharing is permitted; unlicensed taxi services are not |
| Food preparation / sale | Local authority registration required for regular sales | Occasional bake sales may be exempt — check local authority guidance |
If you are unsure whether your service requires regulation, check with the relevant UK authority before posting. We are not responsible for posts that inadvertently advertise unregulated services.
How we enforce this policy
We use a combination of automated detection, community reporting, and human moderation:
- Community reports: Any user can report a post. Posts with multiple reports from different users are automatically flagged for moderator review.
- Automated detection: We use automated tools to identify known spam patterns, duplicate posts, and high-risk content.
- Moderator review: Flagged posts are reviewed by our moderation team, who make final decisions on removal.
| Violation severity | First offence | Repeat offence |
|---|---|---|
| Minor (spam, irrelevant post) | Post removed, warning sent | Post removed, temporary posting restriction |
| Moderate (misleading, platform abuse) | Post removed, no warning | All posts removed, email blocked |
| Serious (fraud, hate speech, harassment) | All posts removed, IP and email blocked | Reported to relevant authorities |
| Severe (illegal content, child safety) | Immediate removal, mandatory law enforcement referral | No exceptions |
Reporting a post
If you see a post that violates this policy, please use the "Report this post" button on the post page. Provide as much detail as possible about the nature of the violation.
Reports are anonymous. The person who posted the ad will not be notified who reported it. False reports — using the report system to target legitimate posts for non-policy reasons — are themselves a violation of this policy.
For urgent safety concerns or child protection issues, contact us directly at hello@getquickhelp.com in addition to using the report button.
Appeals
If you believe your post was removed incorrectly, you can appeal by emailing hello@getquickhelp.com with:
- Your post management token (from the link emailed to you)
- A brief explanation of why you believe the removal was incorrect
We will review all appeals within 72 hours. Our decision on appeals is final. We do not reinstate posts that violated this policy.
Changes to this policy
We may update this Acceptable Use Policy as the platform evolves and new categories of misuse emerge. The "Last updated" date at the top reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of GetQuickHelp after changes are posted constitutes acceptance.