Elevate the Conversation
TownSquare is a social platform that rewards thoughtful discourse through an ELO-based reputation system. Here, quality rises to the top.
Our Mission
In an age of information overload and viral misinformation, TownSquare exists to restore quality and civility to online discourse.
The Problem: Traditional social media platforms prioritize engagement over quality, leading to echo chambers, polarization, and the spread of low-quality content.
Our Solution: We use an ELO-based reputation system (like chess ratings) to ensure that thoughtful, well-reasoned contributions are rewarded and amplified. Your influence grows with the quality of your contributions.
Quality First
Thoughtful content rises, noise falls
Community
Build connections through meaningful discourse
Transparency
Clear rules, open communication
How It Works
ELO Reputation System
Every user starts at 1000 ELO. When you post quality content that others agree with, your reputation rises. Poor content lowers your score.
- • Dynamic scoring based on voter reputation
- • Higher-reputation votes carry more weight
- • Transparent score calculations
Multi-Axis Voting
Beyond simple agree/disagree, rate content across 6 dimensions:
- 💡 Insightful - Brings new perspectives
- 😄 Funny - Adds levity appropriately
- 📚 Well-Sourced - Backed by evidence
- 🤝 Respectful - Maintains civility
Topic Communities
Join communities focused on your interests. Each community has:
- • Dedicated moderators
- • Community-specific rules
- • Focused discussions
- • Quality-driven feeds
Trust Levels & Achievements
Build your reputation to unlock trust badges:
- 🌱 Newcomer (0-999 ELO)
- 👤 Member (1000-1199 ELO)
- 🎖️ Veteran (1200-1499 ELO)
- ⭐ Trusted Contributor (1500+ ELO)
Key Features
Quality-Driven Content
ELO reputation ensures quality rises to the top
Topic Communities
Create and join focused discussion groups
Advanced Moderation
AI-powered toxicity detection and circuit breakers
Privacy & Security
2FA, GDPR compliance, and data protection
Real-Time Updates
Live notifications, typing indicators, presence
Rich Content
Link previews, image optimization, markdown support
Professional Analytics
Track your impact and engagement metrics
Accessibility First
WCAG 2.1 AA compliant, screen reader optimized
Mobile Optimized
Progressive Web App with offline support
Our Story
TownSquare was founded in 2025 with a simple vision: create a social platform where quality matters more than virality, where thoughtful discourse is rewarded, and where communities can thrive without the noise.
Inspired by the success of ELO rating systems in competitive games and platforms like Stack Overflow, we believed this approach could transform social media. Instead of chasing likes and shares, users would be incentivized to contribute genuinely valuable content.
Today, TownSquare is home to thousands of engaged users across hundreds of communities, all united by a commitment to meaningful conversation and mutual respect.
Why TownSquare is Different
| Feature | TownSquare | Traditional Social Media |
|---|---|---|
| Content Ranking | ✅ ELO-based quality | ❌ Engagement/virality |
| User Influence | ✅ Earned through quality | ❌ Based on followers |
| Moderation | ✅ AI + community-driven | ⚠️ Limited/reactive |
| Privacy | ✅ GDPR compliant | ⚠️ Data mining |
| Advertising | ✅ Minimal, non-intrusive | ❌ Heavy, targeted ads |
| Transparency | ✅ Open algorithms | ❌ Black box feeds |
Community Guidelines
TownSquare thrives on respectful discourse and mutual respect. All members must follow our community standards.
TownSquare by the Numbers
Active Users
Quality Posts
Communities
User Satisfaction
Join TownSquare Today
Be part of a community that values quality, rewards thoughtfulness, and elevates the conversation.