NearTree is built around a simple idea: nobody should be seen, matched, or contacted without their own, independent, mutual say-so. An encounter with someone nearby never reveals who they are and never counts as interest on your part — it's just a private prompt for you to decide 'interested' or 'pass,' and only a mutual 'interested' from both sides unlocks a real match. These guidelines exist to keep that promise meaningful in practice, not just in the code, across every discovery mode.
Use your own, current photos and accurate information. Misrepresenting your identity, age, relationship status, or intentions undermines the trust the whole system depends on, and is grounds for removal. Don't use another person's photos, a stock photo, or an AI-generated image as your profile photo.
A shared discovery mode or physical proximity doesn't mean someone owes you attention, a match, or a conversation. Respect a 'pass' or a block — it's final, and attempting to work around it (new account, asking mutual contacts to relay messages, showing up in person after a pass) is harassment and will get you removed.
Don't try to identify, track, or de-anonymize someone from an encounter or a queue entry that hasn't turned into a mutual match. The whole point of the consent queue is that neither side learns who the other is unless both opt in — respect that even if you're curious or frustrated, and never use outside tools or hardware to try to intercept or interpret another user's Bluetooth signal.
Friend mode is for platonic connections — keep it non-romantic.
Professional mode is for career and networking-oriented connections — keep it professional and don't use it to make a romantic approach.
Romantic mode is for dating-style connections.
Mixed mode means someone is open to more than one kind of connection — don't assume which one until you've talked about it.
Invisible mode means someone is participating passively, without browsing or being browsed — don't treat their lower visibility as an invitation to push harder for engagement once you do match with them.
Photos must be of you, must not include anyone who hasn't consented to appear, and must not be sexually explicit, contain nudity, or depict minors in any way, including implied or artistic contexts.
No photos or profile content depicting weapons pointed at a person, illegal drug use, gore, or content that glorifies violence.
Profile text may not include contact information intended to route around NearTree's chat before a mutual match, promotional or commercial content, or hate speech.
We prohibit content or conduct that attacks, demeans, or incites hatred or violence against a person or group based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability, serious disease, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, caste, age, or immigration status. This includes slurs, stereotypes, and coded hate symbols, whether directed at another user or a third party.
We prohibit threats of violence, content that glorifies or promotes violence, self-harm, or terrorism, and the organization or facilitation of any of the above through NearTree.
NearTree is not a platform for sexually explicit content, sex work solicitation, or the advertisement of commercial sexual services. Don't post sexually explicit photos, don't solicit or offer payment for sexual services, and don't direct other users to external platforms for that purpose. We remove this content and may report it to relevant authorities.
We have zero tolerance for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and for any content, communication, or conduct that sexualizes, exploits, or endangers a minor. This applies regardless of context, including content claimed to be fictional, an illustration, or 'just a joke.'
Any account found to violate this policy is permanently and immediately terminated. As described in our Privacy Policy, we report apparent CSAM to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's CyberTipline as required by law, and we cooperate with law enforcement investigations.
If you see this kind of content, don't screenshot, save, or forward it — report it immediately using in-app reporting or by emailing safety@neartreeapp.com, and if a child is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement first.
We prohibit any use of NearTree to recruit, advertise, facilitate, or otherwise participate in human trafficking or the sexual or labor exploitation of any person. We cooperate with law enforcement on these matters and report suspected trafficking to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and appropriate authorities.
Don't harass, threaten, intimidate, or stalk another user, whether inside the app or by using information from NearTree to contact or locate them elsewhere. This includes repeated unwanted contact after a pass or block, threatening messages, and doxxing (publishing someone's private information without consent).
Don't impersonate another person, public figure, or entity, and don't create a fake or duplicate profile, including after a previous ban. 'Catfishing' — using a fake identity or someone else's photos to deceive another user — is a violation even if you don't request money or anything else in return.
Don't use NearTree to defraud, scam, or solicit money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or financial account information from another user, especially someone you haven't met in person. Common romance-scam patterns include: someone who professes strong feelings unusually quickly; someone who always has an excuse not to video-call or meet in person; someone who claims to be traveling, deployed overseas, or working on an oil rig; and any request for money, an 'investment opportunity,' or your financial account details.
If someone you've matched with asks you for money or financial information, stop responding and report them immediately using in-app reporting.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available: in the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. We remove content that promotes or encourages self-harm or suicide, and we may reach out with safety resources or, where we believe there's an imminent risk, involve emergency services.
Don't use bots, scripts, or automation to create accounts, message users, or interact with the Service. Don't run coordinated or bulk outreach, and don't use NearTree to advertise unrelated products, services, or other apps.
Don't post photos, artwork, or other content that belongs to someone else without their permission. See our Terms of Service for our full copyright policy and how to submit a takedown notice.
Chat unlocks only after a mutual match — treat that as a real, two-sided opt-in, not an obligation on the other person's part to keep responding. It's okay to end a conversation, and it's not okay to pressure someone who has gone quiet or asked to stop.
NearTree does not run background checks and cannot vouch for any user's identity, intentions, or safety. If you decide to meet in person: meet in a public place, tell a friend or family member where you're going and who you're meeting, arrange your own transportation, consider a video call first, and trust your instincts — leave if something feels wrong.
In an emergency or immediate safety threat, contact local emergency services first.
If someone makes you uncomfortable, block them — this immediately ends the connection and hides you from each other, and you can do it whether or not you've filed a report.
Reporting sends the interaction to our moderation queue for review by our safety team. Automated safety signals may flag content or behavior for faster review, but enforcement decisions go through moderation review, not automated action alone.
We review reports as quickly as we can, and we take a range of actions depending on severity, from a warning to permanent removal from NearTree.
Violating these Guidelines or our Terms of Service can result in content removal, warnings, temporary suspension, or permanent termination of your account, at our discretion and based on severity and history.
If you believe an enforcement action was made in error, you can appeal by contacting support@neartreeapp.com within 30 days, as described in our Terms of Service.
We cooperate with law enforcement investigations and will disclose account information in response to valid legal process, as described in our Privacy Policy.