WhatsApp Chat Guidelines 2026
- Jera Rabilas
- 20 hours ago
- 5 min read
First and foremost, thank you. We recently celebrated our 5th anniversary, and the growth of this network hasn’t stopped. As we glow up our chats for 2026, we are transitioning toward a more community-driven model while keeping the core values that make this space safe for every woman.
AN UPDATE: MEMBER-LED CHATS
We reduced the number of official WoHK chats to make space for Member-led Chats. This shifts the pulse from our internal team directly to the community.
The Goal: To connect women, build belonging, and share niche interests.
The Rule: We highly discourage selling and self-promotion. Depending on the nature of the chat and the specific rules of that chat, “ads” could apply. See Advertisements On Chats section.
The 90-Day Rule: If a group is inactive for 3 months, it will be archived to keep our community vibrant.
Members Meet Ups: Chat Hosts must ensure at least one meetup (online or offline) occurs every two months to foster connections between members.
Quality Control: Chat Hosts must meet a 6-month Premium membership threshold to ensure a commitment to our values.
Pure Passion: This role is designed for those who find deep value in leadership, social connection, and community building, with no profit incentives.
To know more or sign up, please refer here
CHAT ETIQUETTE
To foster a positive experience, we ask all members to adhere to the following standards of behavior:
Adhere to Our Mission: Our community is dedicated to uplifting and inspiring women. Let us collaborate to establish a positive and supportive environment.
Provide Constructive Feedback: When expressing differing opinions, ensure they are constructive. Focus on discussions that promote growth rather than conflict.
Encourage Participation: Invite and motivate quieter members to share their thoughts.
Celebrate Achievements: Share and acknowledge both personal and collective accomplishments within the network.
Promote Inclusivity: Embrace diversity and welcome differing perspectives. Every voice is important.
Be Mindful of Trigger Warnings: Use [TW: Topic] for sensitive subjects to ensure everyone feels safe and respected.
Support Mental Health: Approach these discussions with empathy and encourage professional help when necessary.
Relevant Content: Share content only in the subgroup most relevant to your message. Avoid cross-posting in multiple subgroups and off-topic discussions to maintain focus in each subgroup.
Be Mindful of Language: Use inclusive and respectful language; recognize that words have impact and strive for kindness.
CHAT RULES (NON-NEGOTIABLE)
Adherence to these rules is crucial. Violations will result in Penalty Points
Respect Each Other: Our community comprises women from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Please communicate respectfully. We have zero tolerance for discriminatory language or the slandering of individuals.
Respect Moderators and Admins: Moderators and Admins uphold these guidelines to keep the space safe. Do not harass or publicly dispute their decisions.
Transition to Private Discussion: If the Admins or Moderators ask to move a conversation to a private channel, members must comply immediately. Retaliating or disputing this request publicly in the chat is strictly prohibited.
Formal Complaints: To ensure every voice is heard fairly, all complaints regarding members or moderation decisions must be filed formally via our [Complaint Form]. Public airing of grievances is not permitted.
Adverts: Except as specifically allowed in individual subgroups, advertisements and promotional content are not allowed in the chats unless they are paid for. See Advertising On Chats section.
Data Gathering: To protect member privacy, data gathering or conducting polls are not allowed, except with the written approval of Admin.
Protect Confidentiality: Do not share the conversations in any of the subgroups outside of that subgroup without permission. Do not share the private details of others without explicit consent.
No Spamming or Trolling: Avoid disruptive behavior. For what is considered spam, see Community Standard Spam section.
Photos of Children: Exercise extreme caution and prioritize the children's privacy and safety.
BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS & DISCLAIMER
WoHK acts solely as a platform to facilitate connections.
1. No Oversight: WoHK does not oversee, vet, or endorse any sales, products, or services shared by members.
2. No Liability: We are not party to any private agreements or business dealings between members.
3. Member Risk: All transactions and payments are conducted solely at a member’s own risk.
4. Caution: We urge everyone to exercise caution, trust your instincts, and prioritize personal safety in all dealings. When in doubt, feel free to reach out to the admin team for guidance.
THE POINT SYSTEM (REPLACING STRIKES)
To ensure a fair and harmonious environment, we use a point-based system for violations:
The Threshold: Once a member reaches 6 Points, they may face immediate suspension or permanent removal from the WoHK Chat. WoHK has the final authority to determine a member’s continued participation in the chat. No refunds will be processed for removed members.
ADVERTISING ON CHATS
To maintain the integrity of our discussions and ensure a high-quality experience, all promotional content is centralized and vetted. Unsolicited ads disrupt the flow of connection and are subject to the Point System.
What is considered an "Ad"?
An Ad is any unsolicited promotional content that has not been requested by the community or with special approval by Admins or specific sub-chats. This includes:
Cold Broadcasting: Posting about your business, service, or event without it being a direct answer to a member’s question.
Self-Promotion: "I just launched my brand, go follow me" or "Check out my Etsy shop" posts that aren't part of an active discussion.
Affiliate & Referral Links: Sharing links that provide you a commission or discount code.
Market Research & Data Gathering: Posting surveys, polls, "looking for volunteers/test subjects," or asking questions specifically designed to gather data for a business venture.
The "Helpful vs. Ad" Rule: If a member asks, "Does anyone know a good florist?" and you reply with your business, that is a helpful recommendation. If you post, "I'm a florist, 10% off today!" out of nowhere, that is an unsolicited ad.
How to Post a Paid Ad
We offer dedicated, paid slots for members who want to reach our network for business growth or research purposes.
Vetting: All ads and research requests must be vetted by Admins to ensure they align with our community’s standards and values.
Ad Fees: To keep our community-led chats vibrant and sustainable, we charge a nominal fee for authorized promotional posts and research access.
Approved Placement: Once approved and the fee is settled, your ad/survey will be placed in the designated subgroup
Ready to promote or research? Contact the Admin team at hello@womenofhongkong.com or DM an Admin for the current Ad Rate Card.
COMMUNITY STANDARD SPAM
The following behaviors are considered spam and will result in warnings (refer to Point System for Violations) unless otherwise specified in the group chat's description:
Promotion: Self-promotion of personal or business pages with links is prohibited unless explicitly requested by members or by answering a member's request for promotion/recommendations. To post an ad, refer to the Advertising On Chats section.
Repetitive messages: Sending identical messages multiple times in a row or to various subgroups is not allowed.
Unnecessary tagging: Tagging users in messages that do not involve them directly is not allowed.
Unsolicited direct messages: Sending direct messages to users who did not ask for or consent to receiving them is not allowed.
Misleading content: Sharing links that promise one type of content but deliver something substantially different is prohibited.
Deceptive redirect behavior: Websites that require excessive actions (e.g., captchas or ads) to view content are prohibited.
Like/share requests: Posts that require users to like or share content to engage are not allowed.
Like/share-gating: Landing pages that require users to like, share, or engage with content before gaining access to it are not allowed.
SPOT A DISCREPANCY?
We’re here to help! If you see any issues or need to reach a community manager, email us at hello@womenofhongkong.com or contact us via WhatsApp.
Thank you for being a part of our growing network!
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