--- title: "Acceptable Use Policy" canonical: https://www.beehiiv.com/aup description: "Welcome to beehiiv! We're thrilled that you've chosen to write and read with us." source: live-converter generated: 2026-05-10T16:17:25.858Z --- # Acceptable Use Policy # Documents - [Terms of Use](/tou) - [Privacy Policy](/privacy) - [Acceptable Use Policy](/aup) - [Data Protection Addendum](/dpa) --- # Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) Date last modified: April 30, 2026 Welcome to beehiiv. This Acceptable Use Policy ("AUP") provides the standards we expect all users (sometimes called "publishers" or "creators") to follow when using beehiiv's Services (as defined in beehiiv's [Terms of Use](/tou)) and applies to all content of any type ("Content") you provide, send, create, upload, link, process or otherwise use in connection with the Services. By using any beehiiv Service, you agree to comply with this AUP. Beehiiv expressly reserves the right to investigate, restrict and remove Content that violates this AUP as well as suspend or terminate Service access to those who provide such Content. If you encounter Content you believe is in violation of this AUP, please reach us at [abuse@beehiiv.com](mailto:abuse@beehiiv.com). ### Introduction This AUP applies to all users and all beehiiv Services that exist today and those that may be developed and first launched after the date this AUP was last updated. They establish baseline expectations for how the Services may be used, regardless of the type of Content published or features accessed. Use of beehiiv is not permitted where it creates legal, security, reputational, or deliverability risk to the Services, other users, or recipients. ### Prohibited Behaviors The behaviors outlined below are not allowed on beehiiv. These restrictions apply to how the Services are used, independent of the specific Content being published or Services being used. #### Network and System Abuse Any activity that harms beehiiv's infrastructure, the Services, or the experience of other users is strictly prohibited. This includes both attacks on our technical systems and misuse of Service features in ways that degrade performance, security, or reliability. Prohibited behaviors include: - **Unauthorized Access**: Unauthorized access to any part of the Services, including another user's account, is forbidden. - **Unauthorized Data Collection**: The use of any automated means, such as bots or scrapers, to collect information from the Services. This also includes the collection of personal information from other users without their explicit consent. - **Resource Misuse**: Any action that places an unreasonable or disproportionate load on our servers, such as operating anonymous proxy servers, running file-sharing sites, hosting unrelated large files, or launching denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. - **Circumventing Security**: Any attempt to disable, bypass, or circumvent the security measures we have in place to protect the Services, their users, or data. This includes but is not limited to manipulating user authentication or access controls. - **Malware and Harmful Code**: The distribution, promotion, or hosting of malicious software of any kind is strictly prohibited. This includes viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware, or any other code designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computers, networks, or personal data. Content that forces unwanted downloads, injects harmful scripts, or redirects users without their consent is not allowed on beehiiv. - **Unauthorized Security Testing**: Conducting penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, or other security research on beehiiv's infrastructure without prior written authorization is prohibited. While we value responsible disclosure, all testing activity must be explicitly approved by beehiiv's Security team as outlined in: [https://www.beehiiv.com/security.txt](https://www.beehiiv.com/security.txt) and/or submitted to [security@beehiiv.com](mailto:security@beehiiv.com). Unapproved testing, even if performed in good faith, is treated as unauthorized access. #### Fraud, Deception & Sanctioned Entities We require all users to operate honestly and transparently. Using the Services for any unlawful, fraudulent, or deceptive purpose is forbidden and can result in immediate termination of your account. This includes: - **Fraud, Impersonation, Phishing**: Falsifying information to hide a message's origin, creating fake accounts to mislead others, or using any beehiiv service to run scams, such as phishing sites, deceptive landing pages, or fraudulent solicitations. - **Sanctions and Restricted Entities**: beehiiv may not be used by individuals or organizations subject to sanctions under U.S., EU, UK, UN, or other applicable trade restrictions. Users are prohibited from conducting business, directly or indirectly, with any sanctioned entities through the Services. Compliance with international sanctions laws is a condition of using the Services. - **Payment and Chargeback Fraud**: Using the Services to manipulate, dispute, or reverse legitimate transactions; submit false refund or chargeback claims; or otherwise engage in payment fraud is prohibited. This applies to all transactions facilitated through beehiiv's systems, including paid subscriptions or other monetized features. #### Spamming We universally prohibit any form of unsolicited bulk or abusive messaging across the Services. This applies to email, hosted forms, forums, contact tools, comments, or any other feature used to communicate through or with beehiiv. #### Illegal, Violent, and Exploitative Activity Using the Services to promote, facilitate, or enable illegal acts, violence, or hate crimes is strictly prohibited. This is a foundational rule that goes beyond the Content of your publication and applies to your behavior and actions on the Services, whether by email, hosted Content, or other Services. This includes: - **Abuse of Minors**: Any behavior that exploits, harms, or endangers minors. This is a zero-tolerance issue, and any such activity will be reported to law enforcement. - **Soliciting Illegal Acts**: Using the Services to arrange or solicit illegal activities, whether through direct communication or public facing Content. - **Terrorism and Human Exploitation**: beehiiv prohibits the use of the Services to promote, support, or glorify terrorism, extremist organizations, or any sanctioned groups. This also includes any material that facilitates human trafficking, sexual exploitation, or forced labor. Content that aids, recruits, or coordinates activity on behalf of such organizations will result in immediate account termination and may be reported to the appropriate authorities. #### Privacy Violations Respecting the privacy and personal data of others is a core requirement for using beehiiv. Any misuse of personal information, whether obtained through email, hosted Content, or elsewhere, undermines trust and exposes individuals to harm. Users must handle data responsibly and comply with all applicable privacy and data protection laws and not misuse or wrongfully share personal data of other users. #### Harassment and Personal Harm beehiiv is committed to fostering a respectful community where creators and readers can engage without fear of intimidation or abuse. Behaviors that target individuals with hostility, cause emotional harm, or undermine personal safety are not tolerated on the Services. - **Harassment and Bullying**: Content or activity that targets individuals or groups with harassment, intimidation, or bullying is not permitted. This includes coordinated campaigns, abusive messages, or sustained personal attacks. beehiiv supports open dialogue but does not tolerate behavior intended to silence, demean, or harm others. - **Threats and Doxxing**: Threatening physical harm, releasing personal information, or coordinating attacks against individuals is prohibited. ### Prohibited Content beehiiv is built for creators, people with something to say, share, or teach. While we support a wide range of voices and publishing styles, we also recognize the need to maintain a high-quality ecosystem for both senders and readers. That means setting clear boundaries around harmful or misleading Content that jeopardizes trust or contributes to a poor inbox experience. In many cases, this kind of Content also leads to poor deliverability, harming both the sender's reputation and the Services in general. The following outlines the types of Content that are not allowed on beehiiv due to legal or reputational risk. #### Content That Incites beehiiv strictly prohibits Content that promotes or encourages violence, discrimination, or harassment based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic. This includes Content that incites violence, spreads hate speech, or uses dehumanizing language to target individuals or groups. Material advocating for genocide, engaging in doxxing, or recruiting for hate groups is not allowed on the Services. While we support freedom of expression, beehiiv draws a clear line when Content crosses into incitement of harm. We do not tolerate Content that encourages violence or harassment, or any actions that could lead to significant harm or disruption. #### Adult Content and Services Content that promotes explicit sexual content, including images, videos, or written material that graphically describes sexual acts. This includes links to pornographic websites or adult subscription platforms (e.g., OnlyFans), as well, the promotion of escort services, adult webcam streams, sexually explicit chat services, or "swinger" events. Sexually explicit AI-generated or manipulated imagery, such as deepfakes, as well as, non-consensual or exploitative sexual content is strictly prohibited. The foregoing prohibition shall not apply to established retail home-based party businesses. In addition, any material that exploits children under eighteen (18) years of age including non-consensual sex acts, child sexual abuse material ("CSAM"), or Content that is harmful to minors will be terminated immediately without notice. CSAM will be reported to law enforcement and/or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. #### Self-Harm and Suicide Content Content that promotes, encourages, or instructs others in self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, or other forms of intentional self-injury is prohibited. While discussions about mental health are supported, material must be educational, supportive, or resource-based in nature. #### AI-Generated and Manipulated Media AI-generated or manipulated Content that is deceptive, misleading, or harmful is prohibited. This includes non-consensual deepfakes, synthetic media designed to impersonate individuals or mislead recipients, and AI generated Content used to spread misinformation. Clearly labeled, educational, or artistic uses of AI-generated Content may be permitted if they do not violate other restrictions or mislead readers into believing the Content is human-authored when it is not. #### Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals The promotion or sale of prescription medications, counterfeit drugs, or unapproved dietary supplements is strictly prohibited. This includes any Content that makes claims to prevent, treat, or cure health conditions without prior authorization from the appropriate regulatory authorities. The distribution of experimental substances (such as peptides or SARMs), the use of misleading health related language (including unsubstantiated "natural" or "organic" claims), and participation in affiliate or referral programs that direct users to non-compliant or unlawful products are also not permitted. #### Cannabis and CBD Content Promotion of hemp-derived CBD products may be permitted where lawful and must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, including accurate disclosure of THC content within federally permitted limits and any applicable geographic restrictions. Promotion or facilitation of the sale of THC-dominant cannabis products, marijuana, or other illegal cannabis substances is not permitted. Content must not include misleading or unverified health or therapeutic claims, target minors, misrepresent product legality or composition, combine CBD promotion with other high-risk substances (e.g., nootropics, kratom), or use deceptive affiliate or undisclosed commercial practices. #### Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Content Educational and informational Content regarding cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and decentralized finance (DeFi) is allowed, provided it does not promote unregulated financial services or deceptive investment schemes and adheres to applicable laws and regulations. Due to the prevalence of scams, misleading claims, and compliance risks associated with such Content, beehiiv prohibits the following: - Initial Coin Offerings and token presales that promise guaranteed returns or unverified financial gains. - Unlicensed exchanges, wallets, or trading platforms that do not meet regulatory standards. - Crypto airdrops or other mechanics that send tokens directly to users' wallets. - Crypto-based multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, Ponzi schemes, or referral-based earning programs. - Promotions of high-risk decentralized finance (DeFi) projects, yield farming, and staking programs with misleading or unsubstantiated financial claims. - Unregulated financial services, such as crypto lending or borrowing platforms, that do not comply with applicable laws. #### High-Risk Financial Products and Services beehiiv prohibits the following financially based products and services which include but are not limited to payday loans, payday advances, or other loan products offered under usurious terms; debt collection and forgiveness; credit repair and debt relief offerings; lottery promotions; and "get rich quick" schemes, including investment opportunities or other services that promise high rewards for little effort. #### Unregulated Payment Services The promotion or facilitation of unlicensed financial services is not permitted. This includes unregulated money services businesses, remittance providers, and payment platforms lacking proper authorization. #### Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, or Other Adult Content The promotion or sale of alcohol, firearms, tobacco, and other adult oriented products is subject to strict regulation, with varying legal requirements based on age and geography. Users must implement age and/or geographic gating at the point of contact collection to ensure recipients are of legal age to receive such Content. Additionally, users may be required to demonstrate to beehiiv evidence of these mechanisms upon request. #### Gambling, Sports Betting & Predictive Markets Content Content related to gambling, sports betting and predictive markets may be permitted where lawful, provided it complies with all applicable laws and does not target restricted audiences or encourage irresponsible behavior. Content must meet all age and geographic gating requirements and include any legally required responsible gambling disclosures. The following are not permitted: - Promotion or referral to unlicensed, offshore, or illegal gambling operators - Exaggerated or misleading claims about guaranteed outcomes, winnings or risk-free betting - Content that glamorizes reckless gambling behavior or minimizes financial risk - Direct calls to action that pressure readers to place bets in violation of applicable regulations - Affiliate or sponsored Content that lacks required disclosures or responsible gaming measures Editorial Content focused on predictive markets, sports betting analysis, commentary, odds breakdowns, or informational insights (including expert picks or strategy discussion) is permitted, provided it remains informational in nature and does not cross into unregulated or deceptive promotion. Affiliate links or sponsored partnerships with licensed gambling operators may be permitted if they comply with applicable law. #### Illegal Goods and Services The sale or promotion of counterfeit or unlawful products is prohibited. This includes goods manufactured or distributed without proper authorization, products that imitate genuine brands, and any services that facilitate their creation or sale. beehiiv does not allow the use of the Services to market, distribute, or enable access to illegal goods of any kind. #### Intellectual Property Rights Content that infringes on the intellectual property rights of others is not permitted. This includes the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted works (such as movies, music, books, or software), misuse of trademarks, violations of patents, or disclosure of trade secrets. beehiiv complies with applicable intellectual property laws and will respond to valid DMCA takedown notices or equivalent processes in other jurisdictions. Please see the Section titled ["Copyright Infringement"](/tou#copyright-infringement) in our [Terms of Use](/tou). #### Problematic Products and Services Content or activity that promotes pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing businesses focused on recruitment or prospecting, email list brokering, sales, or exchange, deceptive lead generation schemes, or false employment opportunities is prohibited. While the occasional use of affiliate links is allowed, Content created primarily for affiliate marketing or lead generation purposes are not permitted on beehiiv. This includes excessive or manipulative use of affiliate links solely for revenue generation, without adding genuine value to the Content. #### Platform Risk and Discretion beehiiv reserves the right to remove any Content or suspend accounts that, in our sole discretion, pose reputational, legal, or deliverability risks to the Services. This applies even if the specific Content or behavior is not explicitly listed in this policy. #### Sensitive Personal Information The Services are not intended to collect, store or transmit sensitive personal information, such as social security numbers, protected health information, payment information and similar information and are not to be used for such purpose. ### Newsletter Publishing beehiiv was created to empower creators to share their work, ideas, and communities through email. To maintain trust with readers and ensure strong deliverability across our network, all newsletters published on beehiiv must follow clear standards for how email lists are built, how subscribers are treated, and how Content is presented. The following rules outline the requirements for using beehiiv's newsletter Services responsibly, with a focus on consent-based sending, transparency, and high-quality publishing practices. #### Address Collection and Contact Lists To safeguard the integrity of our newsletter Services and respect the privacy of recipients, beehiiv requires all users to obtain affirmative consent before sending any emails. Consent must be freely given, specific, informed, unambiguous, and provided through a clear affirmative action, in line with applicable privacy and data protection laws. The following methods of list collection do not meet beehiiv's requirements for affirmative consent: - **Purchased Lists**: where email addresses are obtained from data brokers or vendors, even if marketed as "opt-in" or "consented." Consent is not transferable, and recipients must provide their own explicit, affirmative consent directly to your publication. - **Rented or Co-Registration Lists**: where consent is bundled or shared with multiple parties, making it unclear who the recipient is agreeing to hear from. - **Scraped or Harvested Addresses**: where email addresses are gathered from websites, social platforms, or other public sources without permission or affirmative consent. - **Third–Party-Provided Lists**: where lists are shared by partners, affiliates, or lead-generation networks, where recipients did not directly opt in to your publication. - **Blanket or Bundled Consents**: where recipients agree to receive communications from multiple parties without clear identification of each sender. - **Proof of Consent**: beehiiv may request documentation showing affirmative consent (e.g., log files, signup source, timestamp, method). Proof of consent should be maintained and provided to beehiiv if requested. #### Unsubscribing and User Choice Recipients must always have a clear and reliable way to withdraw consent to receive emails. Unless beehiiv has approved use of your unsubscribe functionality, all messages sent through beehiiv must include beehiiv's native unsubscribe link, which is provided in the footer of each email and enables a one-click opt-out from all communications. This unsubscribe mechanism is mandatory and must not be removed, replaced, hidden, delayed, or altered in any way unless approved by beehiiv. #### Sender Identification and Transparency All newsletters and emails sent through beehiiv must be transparent about who is sending them and must provide accurate information to recipients. To maintain trust and comply with applicable regulations: - **Physical Address**: Every email must include a valid physical postal address. This may be your current street address, a registered post office box, or a private mailbox obtained through a commercial mail-receiving agency authorized under Postal Service regulations. - **Subject Lines**: Subject lines must be clear and non-deceptive, accurately reflecting the Content and purpose of the message. Misleading or manipulative subject lines designed solely to increase open rates are prohibited. - **Header Information**: All header fields (including "From," "To," "Reply-To," and routing information such as the originating domain name and email address) must be accurate and must clearly identify the person or organization that initiated the message. beehiiv prohibits sending messages with materially false or misleading header information. #### Email Marketing Purpose and Content Quality beehiiv was built as a platform for creators to share ideas, insights, and original work, not as a traditional bulk email marketing service. While newsletters may include affiliate links, product mentions, or sponsored placements, their primary purpose must be to deliver meaningful editorial Content. While promotional Content is allowed in moderation, newsletters that are purely marketing products or services or lead-generation vehicles are not allowed. Specifically, the following are not allowed on beehiiv: - Newsletters created solely to advertise or sell products or services without substantive editorial Content. - High-frequency promotional blasts focused primarily on discounts, offers, or sales events. - Campaigns designed to cold-pitch services or harvest user data. - AI-driven "content farms" that mass-produce templated marketing material with little or no human input. - Use of automated marketing workflows with little to no newsletter or editorial Content. Editorially driven newsletters are permitted, including those that occasionally send standalone marketing emails, feature product recommendations, sponsorships, or AI-assisted writing, provided these elements are secondary to the creator's original voice and value-driven Content. All promotional mentions should align with the publication's theme, be clearly disclosed, and avoid disrupting the reader experience. #### Use of AI beehiiv supports the responsible use of AI tools to assist in Content creation, but newsletters must remain authentic, editorially driven, and valuable to readers. Publications that rely entirely on AI-generated material without meaningful human input are not permitted. The following practices are prohibited: - Using AI to mass-produce repetitive material, such as templated listicles, daily trivia, or generic "thought of the day" Content designed solely to fill inboxes or drive clicks. - Generating multiple newsletters with slightly reworded AI Content for the purpose of flooding inboxes, acquiring subscribers, or gaming the Services. - Employing AI to create misleading narratives, impersonate individuals, or otherwise deceive readers. AI-assisted writing is allowed when used to support a creator's original voice, provided the Content is substantive, editorially relevant, and avoids manipulative practices. #### Legal and Privacy Compliance All use of beehiiv's newsletter Services must comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to the CAN-SPAM Act (U.S.), CASL (Canada), GDPR and ePrivacy (EU), UK GDPR and CCPA (California). Users are responsible for understanding and following these requirements. beehiiv reserves the right to review and suspend accounts that fail to comply with these obligations in order to protect the integrity of the Services and maintain strong deliverability across the network. #### Account and Services Misuse Any activity designed to manipulate, exploit, or misrepresent the Services is prohibited. The following behaviors are not allowed: - **Account Creation Abuse**: Creating multiple publications with materially similar subject lines or content, or creating accounts with the sole intent of monetizing through Service features rather than building authentic, editorially driven Content. - **Re-Adding Unsubscribed Users**: Adding back email addresses that have unsubscribed, reported spam, or otherwise withdrawn consent, whether within beehiiv or across other platforms, including attempting to re-permission the same recipient through another publication or list without a new, specific, affirmative opt-in. - **Deletion of Subscribers to Circumvent Billing**: Removing, merging, exporting, or otherwise manipulating subscriber lists (including repeatedly adding and deleting addresses) for the purpose of avoiding subscription fees, staying below billing thresholds, or evading Service limits. - **List Validation or "List Washing" Abuse**: Using beehiiv to test, verify, validate, or clean email addresses. This includes sending messages primarily to identify bounces or undeliverable addresses, adding and removing subscribers based on delivery results, or incrementally adding addresses (including through automated or scripted mechanisms) to trigger welcome or other automated emails for the purpose of assessing list quality or deliverability. - **Account Security Failures**: Failing to secure your account in a way that results in compromise or account takeover that negatively impacts beehiiv or other users. - **Click/Traffic Arbitrage**: Using newsletters solely to drive subscribers to external websites for monetization (clicks, referrals, affiliate conversions) without delivering original, valuable, or engaging Content. - **Deliverability Evasion (Snowshoeing)**: Creating or using multiple accounts, domains, or publications to circumvent reputation limits, blocklisting, or sending restrictions is prohibited. #### Content Integrity and Attribution beehiiv publications must be built on original, authentic Content that provides value to readers. Misrepresenting authorship, publishing misleading information, or manipulating Content to deceive readers undermines trust in both your publication and the Services in general. The following practices are prohibited: - **Plagiarism**: Publishing material created by others and presenting it as your own. - **False or Misleading Content**: Sharing materially false, inaccurate, or misleading information in a way that could deceive or confuse readers about important events, topics, or circumstances. - **Unethical SEO Practices**: Using tactics such as keyword stuffing, hidden text, or cloaking designed to manipulate search engines or mislead readers. beehiiv expects all publications to prioritize accuracy, originality, and transparency in their Content. These requirements ensure that newsletters published on beehiiv remain high-quality, consent-based, and trusted by both readers and mailbox providers. ### Web Hosting beehiiv provides hosting Services to help creators build websites, landing pages, and online experiences connected to their publications. All terms of this AUP apply equally to hosted Content. In addition, hosting must be used in ways that reflect beehiiv's purpose as a creator-first platform, not as a general file storage, spam site, or arbitrage network. Hosted Content is expected to be lawful, safe, and high-quality, and beehiiv may restrict or remove material that creates legal, reputational, or security risks for the Services. To ensure the performance, reliability, and security of the Services for all users, here's how you can, and can't, use the web hosting features. - **No File Sharing or Backups**: beehiiv may not be used as a storage service for personal files, file distribution, or software downloads. Uploads are for publication-related media only. - **Hot-Linking**: Using beehiiv to host assets (e.g., images, video, PDFs) for use on external websites is not allowed. This protects shared resources and ensures your uploads are used solely for your publication. - **Misleading Redirects**: Pages designed solely to send visitors elsewhere through forced or deceptive redirects are not allowed. Your beehiiv site should stand as a destination, not a doorway to other content. - **Deceptive SEO and Spam Sites**: Creating sites or pages intended primarily to manipulate search engines (such as link farms, keyword stuffing, or cloaking) is prohibited. These practices damage trust and harm deliverability of the Services in general. - **Age Restricted or Adult Oriented Material**: beehiiv does not support hosting or distribution of adult content, including sexually explicit material, nudity, or pornography. Content requiring age or geographic gating (e.g., 18+ or 21+ access) is not supported on beehiiv's hosting infrastructure. For additional guidance on adult or age restricted material, refer to the Adult Content and Services and Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, or Other Adult Content sections under [Prohibited Content](#prohibited-content). ### Ad Network beehiiv's Ad Network allows creators to earn revenue by including sponsored ad placements within their Content. Participation in the Ad Network comes with shared responsibility: users must maintain transparency, uphold quality standards, and ensure that sponsored Content complements their publication's voice and audience. The following rules outline how creators may use the Ad Network responsibly and what types of ad-related practices are not permitted. #### Prohibited Behaviors (Ad Network Use) To protect the integrity of the beehiiv Ad Network and ensure fair performance for all participants, creators may not engage in any behavior that manipulates ad delivery, engagement, or reporting. - **Self-Clicking or Artificial Engagement**: Creators may not click their own ads, encourage others to do so, or use automated tools to simulate ad engagement. These actions artificially inflate performance metrics and distort advertiser reporting. - **Incentivized or Misleading Clicks**: Offering rewards, giveaways, or misleading context that pressures readers into clicking ads is prohibited. Engagement must be organic and driven by genuine reader interest. - **Ad Disclosure and Context Integrity**: Ads served through the Ad Network include an automatic "Sponsored" or "Ad" label to ensure transparency with readers. Creators may not alter, obscure, or surround these placements with misleading text or design that implies the ad is part of editorial Content. - **Ad Farming**: Newsletters created primarily to display ads, without meaningful editorial value or audience relevance, are prohibited. The Ad Network is intended for authentic, reader-focused publications. - **Traffic Arbitrage and Click Schemes**: Using the Ad Network to drive users through deceptive click funnels, redirect loops, or external pages is not allowed. Sponsored placements you include in your Content must direct to legitimate destinations approved by beehiiv. - **Misrepresentation of Audience or Content**: Falsifying subscriber counts, engagement rates, or publication themes to access ad campaigns or higher payouts is prohibited and may result in account suspension. - **Direct or Custom Sponsorships**: If you independently sell or include sponsorships outside the Ad Network, you are responsible for ensuring those placements are clearly disclosed as paid or sponsored Content. All promotions must comply with applicable advertising laws and beehiiv's overall content standards. ### Recommendation Network beehiiv's Recommendation Network allows creators to recommend other publications (sometimes for payment) and to grow their own audiences through paid recommendations. To maintain a fair and trustworthy ecosystem, all participants must use the Recommendation Network responsibly and in line with beehiiv's core principles of authenticity, transparency, and audience quality. The following rules outline how creators may not use the Recommendation Network. #### Prohibited Behaviors To protect the integrity of the Recommendation Network, creators may not engage in any behavior that manipulates signups, misrepresents audience quality, or undermines the trust between publishers. - **Fraudulent or Automated Signups**: Creating, buying, or facilitating bot or fake signups (including by using bulk-generated or disposable email addresses) to trigger payouts, inflate open rates, or meet targets is strictly prohibited. This includes using automation or controlled inboxes to simulate engagement or validate false subscribers. Paid Recommendations are designed to pay only for genuine, active readers, not fabricated accounts or artificial signals. - **Incentivized or Coerced Opt-ins**: Offering cash, gifts, sweepstakes entries, or other incentives primarily to drive clicks or signups without genuine reader interest is not permitted. All Recommendation acquisitions must reflect real, affirmative consent consistent with beehiiv's list standards. - **Misrepresentation of Audience or Category**: Falsely describing your publication's topic, audience size, or engagement levels to attract higher-value offers or mismatched partners is prohibited. - **Ad-Farm Publications**: Spinning up thin, AI-generated, or templated publications primarily to harvest Recommendation payouts, without meaningful editorial value or audience relevance, is not allowed. Recommendations are intended for authentic, reader-focused publications. - **Traffic Arbitrage and Quality Evasion**: Using paid traffic networks, redirect loops, or Direct Links to generate unengaged subscribers is prohibited. Recommendations must result from genuine, organic interest in the promoted publication. - **Misleading Placement or Context**: Creators may not frame Recommendations in a deceptive or misleading way, such as implying that paid recommendations are editorial endorsements. beehiiv's Recommendation modals and widgets must remain accurately represented as promotional placements. - **Collusive or Self-Dealing Arrangements**: Creating or coordinating closed loops between owned or affiliated publications to recycle the same subscribers or game payouts is prohibited. - **Boost Monitoring and Enforcement**: beehiiv actively monitors for activity that undermines Recommendations Network integrity, misleads readers, or manipulates conversions, attribution, or reporting. Accounts found to be in violation of the Recommendation Network program or its monetization policies may have access to all monetization programs suspended or permanently revoked, including Ads, Recommendations, Sponsorships, the Partner Program, associated Wallet functionality and overall account suspension or termination. Any unpaid or pending earnings associated with abusive activity may be withheld or forfeited. ### Digital Products beehiiv's Digital Products feature enables creators to sell digital goods directly to their audience, such as e-books, guides, templates, other downloadable resources or coaching sessions. This feature is designed to help creators monetize responsibly while maintaining trust with their readers. In addition to complying with this AUP, to protect users, payment partners, and the integrity of the Services, all creators using Digital Products must adhere to the following standards. #### Prohibited Behaviors (Digital Product Use) To ensure a safe and trustworthy experience for both creators and their customers, beehiiv prohibits any misuse of its Digital Products feature, including any behavior that undermines transaction integrity, customer confidence, or Services compliance. The following behaviors are not permitted: - **Fraudulent or Deceptive Sales**: Misrepresenting the nature, quality, or functionality of a digital product is strictly prohibited. This includes promising content that differs materially from what is delivered, inflating product claims, or engaging in "bait-and-switch" sales tactics. - **Deceptive Pricing or Billing Practices**: Products must clearly display accurate prices and one-time or recurring charges (if applicable). Hiding, disguising, or misrepresenting costs, subscription renewals, or access limitations is not permitted. - **Customer Data Misuse**: Any data collected through digital product sales (such as customer emails or billing information) may only be used for legitimate post-purchase communication or delivery. Reselling or using this data for unrelated marketing without consent is prohibited. - **Prohibited Payment Use**: Using Digital Products as a means to transfer funds, launder money, or process payments unrelated to genuine digital sales is strictly prohibited and may be reported to financial partners or authorities. - **Payment Security and Fraud Prevention**: Creators are responsible for maintaining secure payment flows and preventing fraudulent transactions, including "carding" or other automated payment-testing attacks. If you use your own payment processor or merchant account, you are solely responsible for implementing appropriate fraud prevention and security controls. beehiiv does not assume liability for payment fraud or losses resulting from misuse of third-party payment systems. #### Prohibited Product Types To protect buyers, payment partners, and the Services in general, the following types of products may not be sold through beehiiv: - **Copyrighted or Unlicensed Works**: Uploading, using or selling material you do not own or have rights to distribute (such as pirated e-books, stock assets, or third-party course material) is prohibited. You must hold all necessary intellectual property rights for each item you sell. - **Repurposed or Aggregated Content**: Selling publicly available or scraped information (e.g., AI-compiled articles, scraped data, or mass-aggregated PDF collections) without original creative value is not permitted. Digital Products must reflect your own authorship or unique contribution. - **Misleading or Ineffective Digital Assets**: Products that intentionally misrepresent their function, provide no genuine value, or fail to deliver usable Content (e.g., blank templates, inaccessible files, or deceptive "instant access" offers) are prohibited. - **Tangible Goods**: Physical items, merchandise, or products requiring shipping cannot be sold through the Digital Products feature. - **Financial or Investment Schemes**: Selling financial advice packages, investment guides, crypto-related assets, or "make-money-fast" programs that promise guaranteed financial returns is not allowed. These pose compliance and reputational risks for both creators and the Services. - **Prohibited Payment Use**: Digital Products may not be used to process unrelated transactions or facilitate fund transfers. Each transaction must correspond to a legitimate, deliverable digital product or other permitted service. - **Competing or Interfering Services**: Digital products designed to replicate, compete with, or disrupt Services features (such as newsletter sending, analytics, or subscriber acquisition tools) are not permitted. - **Adult, Age-Restricted, or Regulated Products**: Digital Products may not include or facilitate the sale or distribution of adult Content (including nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit material), alcohol, firearms, tobacco, gambling, or other age-restricted or regulated goods. beehiiv does not support age or geographic gating for digital sales, and such products are not permitted on the Services. beehiiv monitors use of its Digital Products feature to maintain a safe and trustworthy marketplace for creators and buyers. Accounts found engaging in deceptive sales practices, offering prohibited products, or otherwise violating this policy may have their access to Digital Products suspended or permanently revoked. In cases involving fraud, intellectual property infringement, or financial misconduct, beehiiv reserves the right to remove listings without notice and report violations to applicable payment partners or authorities. ### Other Services Beehiiv rapidly develops and launches features and Services to enable creators to produce, publish and monetize their Content. This AUP applies to all Services, even those developed and first launched by beehiiv after this AUP was last updated. --- For all other questions, please email us at legal@beehiiv.com. As this document is subject to change, we reserve the right to update this Acceptable Use Policy at our discretion and without prior notice. **Previous version**: View the [Acceptable Use Policy last modified December 19, 2025](/aup/2025-12-19).