Safety isn't a feature. It's built into every decision we make. Our Trust and Safety team works around the clock to prevent scams, spam, harassment, and harmful behavior. Here's how it all works.
How Does the Platform Help Keep Members Safe?
Reporting Tools
See something that doesn't belong? Report it. A message, a thread, a post, an event, a profile: you can report directly from anywhere on the platform. Every report goes straight to our Trust and Safety team.
Blocking
Block any member from their profile. Once blocked, they can't contact you or see your profile.
Chat Request System
Members who aren't your friends have to send a chat request before they can message you. You decide who gets through.
Identity Verification
Verified members display a Verification Badge on their profile, a signal to others that they are who they say they are. Verified members stand out in search results, get more profile views, and are more likely to receive stay requests and responses.
Profile Completeness Requirements
Members need to hit a minimum level of profile completeness before they can send stay requests or appear in host search results. Fewer anonymous accounts. More informed decisions.
Emergency Contact
Add an emergency contact in your account Settings. It stays private, only accessible to the Couchsurfing team if they ever need to reach someone on your behalf.
References and Private Feedback
After every stay, members can leave public References. They're one of the most important trust signals on the platform. Read them before you connect with someone.
There's also a Private Feedback option after every stay. Anything you share goes directly to our team and is invisible to the other member and everyone else on the platform.
Safety Tools
Available from the Library and within any active Stay:
- Visit Safety Page: links to Couchsurfing's Safety and Support site
- Search Nearby Hotels: find somewhere else to stay if you need it
- Report: opens the general report flow
- Call Local Authorities (mobile only): connects you to emergency services anywhere in the world, no local number needed
Moderation
System and human moderation takes place across all instances of user-generated content. Inappropriate content is flagged and hidden, and our Trust and Safety team reviews and steps in when needed.
What Profile Information Can I Control?
Your profile is yours to manage. You have control over what others can see, and some of those choices are directly connected to your safety.
Gender and Sexuality
Your gender and sexuality both default to hidden on your profile. You can turn visibility on or off at any time from your profile settings. If you'd rather keep that information private, you never have to share it. If you want to show it, that's your call too.
Lifestyle Details
Lifestyle categories (things like your social style, star sign, tidiness, and similar fields) are entirely optional. You're never required to fill them in. The only profile field related to interests is selecting at least 3 interests during onboarding.
Profile Visibility
You'll also find two privacy toggles in Settings → Privacy Settings:
- View My Profile: When enabled, only logged-in members can view your profile.
- Only Show First Name: When enabled, your last name is hidden across the platform.
When Do We Remove Profiles?
Members who pose a risk to the community don't get to stay on Couchsurfing. Permanent removals are permanent: no reversals, no second chances.
Depending on the severity of a report and a member's history, we may issue a warning or temporary suspension first. For serious violations, criminal behavior, or situations where harmful behavior is likely to continue, we act permanently.
A single report can be enough if it warrants it. We don't require a police report, a criminal conviction, or multiple complaints to act. We look at a full range of signals: blocks, references, reports, policy violations, and other indicators of risk. Every permanent removal involves a human review.
What If Someone Creates a New Profile After Being Removed?
We have systems to detect duplicate or repeat accounts created after a removal. When we find them, we remove them. Creating a new account after a permanent removal is not permitted.
If you come across a profile you think might be a duplicate, report it right away.
How Can You Help Keep Couchsurfing Safe?
Community safety is a shared effort. Trust your instincts and speak up. Please report any member who:
- Asks for money or unpaid labor
- Makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable
- Pressures you to move conversations off the platform (WhatsApp, Facebook, etc.)
- Claims they previously used a different Couchsurfing profile
- Sends messages that don't align with our community guidelines
Leave honest References. After an experience, an honest Reference helps others make informed decisions. Not comfortable leaving a fully public one? Submit Private Feedback or contact our Trust and Safety team directly.
Keep communication on Couchsurfing. Be cautious if someone tries to arrange a stay through social media rather than through the platform. Always ask for a link to their Couchsurfing profile and make sure an official stay request is sent and accepted before moving forward. Members of Couchsurfing-related groups on Facebook, WhatsApp, or elsewhere may not have active profiles or a clean safety history on Couchsurfing itself. We advise you never to connect through these external groups.
Do We Report People to the Police?
We're not able to file police reports on behalf of members. If you've been the victim of a crime connected to Couchsurfing, contact your local law enforcement as soon as possible. If law enforcement contacts us, we'll cooperate fully in accordance with applicable laws.
This community is made up of millions of generous, curious, and respectful people. Most experiences are positive and meaningful. When someone violates that trust, we take it seriously and we'll keep working to make sure safety stays at the center of everything we do.
Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.