Meetup helps people connect through shared interests and meaningful experiences. Many groups or events on Meetup are created in collaboration with venues, businesses, brands, or organizations.
This article explains how affiliations and promotional elements can be part of groups and events on Meetup, as long as events are designed with member value as the primary goal.
It complements the Meetup Groups and Events Policies by providing additional guidance on affiliations and partnerships.
Guiding principles
Member value
Groups and events that involve an affiliation, partnership, or business promotion are allowed on Meetup if the answer to the following question is Yes:
Does this group or event provide members with a clear and meaningful experience beyond promotion?
Affiliations are allowed, as long as they do not overshadow the member experience. What matters is whether members leave the event or join a group feeling informed, engaged, or satisfied.
Transparency
Members should be able to understand what a group and its related events are about before attending. The nature of them should not come as a surprise to members.
Organizers should:
- Indicate when an event is hosted by, supported by, or connected to a business or organization
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Explain the group and event format, including any promotional elements or follow-up actions
Groups with affiliations that work well on Meetup
Groups connected to businesses, brands, or organizations are generally appropriate on Meetup when they meet the following criteria:
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Standalone value
The group offers learning, discussion, networking, or activities that are valuable on their own.
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Connection-focused
The primary purpose is interaction and community, not promotion.
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Limited promotional content
Promotional elements (e.g., external link, logos, or payoffs) are relevant and secondary to the event experience.
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Clear context and flows
- Any additional registration or ticketing that happens outside Meetup is clearly communicated to members.
- Events hosted at a business location clearly communicate the nature of the relationship involved.
When groups or events do not align
Groups and events do not align with Meetup’s Community Guidelines if:
The group and related events are primarily promotional
The description does not clearly and accurately set expectations
The level of interaction and connection expected at events is minimal
When we determine that a group's or event's promotional or business content is not consistent with our Community Guidelines, we may take steps to protect the member experience by reaching out to the organizer with clear guidance on what needs to change and giving them the opportunity to update the group. If the group does not come into compliance, we may take further enforcement action, up to and including removing the group from Meetup.
A shared goal
All Meetup groups should focus on connection and community. Affiliations and business elements work best when they support—rather than define—the group’s purpose.