Content Guidelines

1. Purpose

These guidelines explain what content is and isn't allowed on Herbal Habits. They apply to everything submitted to the platform: store listings, descriptions, images, deals, store feed posts, and reviews. Following them keeps the platform trustworthy, lawful, and safe for everyone. Content that breaches these guidelines may be edited, hidden, or removed, and repeat breaches may lead to suspension.

2. The most important rule: no health or medical claims

Herbal Habits is a directory, not a health service. You may not make claims that a product treats, cures, prevents, relieves, heals, or diagnoses any disease, illness, or health condition. This applies even if you believe the claim is true.

Not allowed (examples):

• "Cures insomnia"
• "Relieves anxiety and depression"
• "Treats chronic pain"
• "Boosts your immune system to fight illness"
• "A natural remedy for high blood pressure"
• "Detoxifies your organs"

Allowed (examples of compliant phrasing):

• "A calming herbal blend traditionally enjoyed in the evening"
• "Popular with customers who enjoy botanical teas"
• "Crafted from locally sourced herbs"
• "A warming, aromatic blend"

The difference: describe what a product is and its qualities, not what it does to your health. When in doubt, leave the health angle out.

3. Accurate & honest content

• Listings must be truthful and not misleading.
• Prices, deals, and product descriptions must be accurate and current.
• Don't exaggerate, fabricate, or promise outcomes.
• Only list products you are legally allowed to sell.

4. Prohibited products & content

You may not list or promote:

• Anything illegal to sell in South Africa;
• Content that makes prohibited health/medical claims;
• Content that is false, misleading, defamatory, or infringing;
• Sexually explicit, hateful, violent, or discriminatory content;
• Content targeting or appealing to anyone under 18;
• Spam, scams, or deceptive practices.

5. Images

• Use images you own or are licensed to use.
• Images must accurately represent your store and products.
• No offensive, explicit, or misleading imagery.
• No text in images that makes claims you couldn't make in writing.

6. Reviews & ratings

For shoppers leaving reviews:

• Reviews must reflect a genuine, honest experience.
• Don't post fake, incentivised, or manipulated reviews.
• No abusive, defamatory, hateful, or off-topic content.
• Don't include personal information about yourself or others.

For store owners:

• You may publicly reply to reviews professionally and courteously.
• You may not post reviews of your own store, or fake reviews.
• You may not remove or alter genuine reviews. If you believe a review breaches these guidelines, you can flag it for our moderation team.

7. How we moderate

• Listings are reviewed before going live and may be checked at any time.
• We use automated tools and human review to detect breaches, including prohibited health claims.
• Content that breaches these guidelines may be edited, hidden, or removed.
• We may request changes, suspend listings, or close accounts for repeat or serious breaches.
• Flagging a review or listing sends it to our moderation team, who decide by exception. Misuse of flagging (for example, to remove honest criticism) may affect your standing.

8. Reporting a problem

If you see content that breaches these guidelines, report it to hello@herbalhabits.co.za with enough detail for us to find and assess it. For unlawful content, our formal take-down process under our Terms of Service applies.

9. Changes

We may update these guidelines from time to time. The current version always applies, and the "last updated" date shows when it last changed.