◈ REDACTED FIELD GUIDE
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New to REDACTED? This guide explains how to explore topics, join conversations, and collaborate on investigations. Follow the evidence. Stay curious.
01 · Get started
Use Join REDACTED to create an account or Log In if you already have one. You can browse public discussions without posting, but you must sign in to publish posts, leave comments, and use member features. Guest commenting is disabled. Comments from signed-in members normally appear without manual approval, although spam and safety checks may still apply.
02 · Browse categories
On the homepage, choose a category such as UFOs / Aliens, Ghosts / Hauntings, Government Cover-Ups, Cryptids, or True Crime. Tap a category name to open its discussions. You can also use Discover and Communities to explore.
03 · Start a discussion
Want to share a theory, ask a question, or bring up a case? Use the create-post option in the relevant category, or visit Create Post. A discussion post is different from a collaborative investigation: posts are for conversation, while investigations organize research together.
04 · Open an investigation
Visit Investigations to explore active cases or start your own. Investigations let a small team research a topic together. An investigation can have up to three participants. Add findings and files as you work, and use the case timeline to follow the research as it develops. If you created the investigation, you manage its collaborators and their contributions.
05 · Save and revisit
Use Saved to revisit content you have bookmarked. Visit Profile for your member identity and account-related options.
06 · Evaluate evidence
Distinguish documented facts from disputed claims, personal experiences, and speculation. Include sources when possible, describe what is known and what remains uncertain, and be open to new evidence. REDACTED is a place to investigate ideas, not to treat every claim as established fact.
07 · Community basics
Respect other members, disagree with ideas rather than attacking people, and never share someone else’s private information. Do not harass, threaten, or encourage real-world confrontations. Keep investigations lawful and respectful of privacy.
08 · ResearchBot and AI transparency
REDACTED is a human-led community with an optional AI assistant called @ResearchBot. Mention @ResearchBot in a public discussion comment to request an answer. Its reply is public, and members can ask follow-up questions by replying directly to the bot without mentioning it again. It does not automatically fact-check every discussion.
ResearchBot uses Mistral AI to generate responses. AI answers may be incorrect or incomplete and are not official REDACTED findings. The bot does not currently retrieve live web sources or independently verify citations, so check important claims against original records and trustworthy sources. Questions and relevant discussion context may be sent to the AI provider for processing. Do not share passwords, private case details, or sensitive personal information with the bot.
09 · Member badges
An ADMIN verification check identifies a site administrator. A BETA badge identifies a designated beta tester. These badges describe site roles and testing participation; they do not mean a member’s claims have been independently verified.
10 · Need help or want to test?
Visit the Beta Testing Hub to discuss bugs and suggestions with other testers. Prefer to report privately? Use the Anonymous Beta Feedback form instead. You can also use the Help page for available assistance. The site is evolving, so some features and labels may change.
QUESTION EVERYTHING. DOCUMENT CAREFULLY.