The Most Frequently Asked Questions on Guidespot

- What is a Guide?

Think of a guide as your own visual list and multi-media story. Now think of Guidespot as an online platform where this creative knowledge-sharing converge and form communities around your interests.

Building a guide offers you the opportunity to combine text, links, photos, videos, addresses and maps all in one place without having to use the techy stuff to get it done. Organize the layout of your guide by dragging and dropping the contents to your desired locations.

- Why Should I Use Guidespot?

Everyone enjoys sharing interesting information with others, and Guidespot is an easy-to-use non-techy way for you to make a visual guide on anything from hobbies,; mugshots, and dating, to hot dog reviews, travel planning, and even party planning!

- What Should I Write About?

For inspiration, cruise around Guidespot and find guides that interest you. Then, write about something similar, or get inspired and try an entirely new guide idea! Anything goes here on Guidespot, so make a guide on anything you would like to share. It’s your guide, so you make the rules!

- Is Guidespot Free?

Yes, everything on Guidespot that you use to make your guides is free.

- What Images Can I Use on My Guide?

Images help balance a guide, and we recommend using photos relevant to your content. To make sure your photo stays in your guide, please follow the following guidelines:

• Please do not abuse photography copyright and use images that are not yours. Guidespot recommends that if you desire to use an image from a photo-sharing website, that you first email the photographer and ask for permission before publicizing the guide. Including a link to the photographer’s online profile is also recommended.
• Photography, videos, and links that contain illegal activity, which include, but not limited to pornography, drug paraphernalia, or any other illegal conduct is not acceptable and will be deleted.

- A Business Listing Is Not Accurate

Guidespot tries to have the most up-to-date and accurate business listing information, but sometimes there will be an error. Guidespot gets its business listing information from a business listing collector called Acxiom, and we rely on them to constantly have the most accurate business listing information out there. If you find a listing that needs an edit, there is nothing that Guidespot can do directly; however, we recommend that you contact Acxiom with the updated listing information.

Thank you for taking the time to help other users find your business, or your favorite businesses. This helps us improve the user experience.

- I found a Guide with Incorrect or Inappropriate Information. What Should I Do?

For incorrect information within the text of a guide, please contact the Guidespot author. For all other incorrect information, please send an email via the feedback link.

For inappropriate information, images, or videos, please flag the guide, which is located on the bottom right of every guide. Please use caution when flagging, as Guidespot relies on the its community to help moderate content. Flagging a guide will send an email to the Community Manager.

- The Guidespot Layout is all Wonky, What's Wrong?

We have learned that if you have installed the Skype Add-On that it renders and moves around the layout of guides. And it is not just Guidespot… A lot of sites have problems with the Skype Add-on disrupting websites specifically on Firefox. Fix it by taking Skype off of your computer, or by using a different browser. There are tons of search items on the internets that note the problems that the Skype Add-On creates for many sites on Firefox. Hopefully they fix it soon!

- My Images Won't Load, What is Going On?

1. Uploading images within a guide: Images can’t be bigger than 2MB and must use the file extension of the following: jpg, gif, png, and  jpeg. If you are having difficulty uploading your image(s), your image(s) might be too big. To change the size, open up where the image is stored on your computer, and simply edit down the size of the image by literally making the image smaller, or by lowering the quality of the image.

2. Uploading images into a guide thumbnail (the image that represents your guide): The image can not be bigger than 150×150 pixels, or we will crop the image so it fits. To change the size, follow the directions above, or take a screen shot of your picture and make sure the screen shot is more square in shape (take it from a non photo editor type person). Gonna get crap for that one!

3. Size of image for the single column layout: The max size with no text is 630 width and 500 height and with text is 410 width and 500 height.

- Hey, What Do You Do With My Information?

Guidespot does not share any of your personal information, and we never email your friends or networks if you sign in with your Facebook account… So, you are in good hands (Hey, we know how it feels)!

- How Do I Cancel My Membership with Guidespot?

At this time, there is no way for you to cancel your membership on your own. No, we are not trying to be sneaky, because we do plan on adding it soon to an account management page, but it is not available yet. We would hate to lose you, but if you must leave us, (and want your life to be a little less exciting and meaningful) please simply send an email via the Feedback Link, and we will help you out.

- How Can I Invite My Friends and Family to Join Guidespot?

First, impress them by sending them a guide via the email link located on the top of every guide, and then, tell them to sign up!

- How Do I Change My user Name?

Go to your profile and click on “Edit My Profile”. You will see a text box next to your user name. Enter in your desired new user name and press save… and waaala! New identity in no time!

Note: If you were smart enough to use a Guidespot Widget of you as an author or of your guides on any of your blogs or webpages, you will have to change out the widget after you change your username. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we want to make sure that your raging fans can find your guides!

- What Does it Mean to Flag a Guide?

You will see a lot of different things on Guidespot, and some of which you may find disrespectful, inappropriate, or offensive. When this occurs, you have a some options, you can choose to look at a different guide altogether, or you can flag the guide. The flagging option is located in the bottom right column of a guide page. If you flag a guide, an email will be sent to Guidespot HQ, and we will check out the guide to make sure that the author is following all guidelines.

- What About Spammers?

Spam our community and their guides, and we will politely warn and/or delete your profile, and potentially track your IP address. And then, for fun, just like on “You Can’t Do That on Television,” we will slime you.

- Why Won't My Guide Show Up on the Homepage?

Some users like to use Guidespot as an outlet for businesses advertising. Informing the community and the internets about your business will reap more benefits if you don’t just use a guide as a free advertising outlet. Business only guides, that look like an advertisement or spam by or for the business, and that don’t act as a resource, might be removed from the homepage stream. We recommend making an informative guide, which helps promote your business by being a resource or fun and entertaining.  Here are some examples of businesses who have made guides on Guidespot that are on the right track to pull in readers, and potentially new clients: Orlando’s Best Hair Color: Before and After and How to Save and Make Money on Wedding Flowers.