Frequently Asked Questions

What is AnybodyOutThere.com?

AnybodyOutThere is a chat platform which helps users find the right people to talk with about what interests them.

How do I get started?

1. Post a thought, topic or question of up to 110 characters that best describes what's on your mind and then click the post button: the post button.
2. Our algorithm will analyze your post and find you people interested in talking about something similar.
3. When you find someone on the list of users you'd like to talk with, click the "Let's Talk" button next to the user's username.
4. A chat request will then be sent to the user. And if s/he accepts, a chat window will open. Let the conversation begin.

What is a post?

A post is a 110 character message which you type into the post box:

This can be a thought, topic or question. This is the subject that you want to talk about. We use this post to find you the most suitable users to talk with.

How do I change the subject I would like to talk about?

You can always change your post in the text box located on the top bar (see picture below).

Just enter the new sentence and click the post button to get a list of people interested in talking about something similar.

How do I refresh the search results?

The post button the post button also serves as a refresh button. If you don't change your post and click the post button it will refresh the search results. You will be given an updated list of people who are also interested in discussing your post.

How do I know when I have a chat request?

When a user sends you a chat request, you will see a notification on the upper right side of the screen. You have the option to accept or decline it.

I am being bothered by a user. What can I do?

You have several options to deal with a user who is bothering you.
While talking you can click on the "Report" button and send us a notification with the reason that you're reporting the user.
You can also rate the user with the following icon: .
If a user continues to bother you, you can click the "Ignore future requests" button on the chat request and block future requests from the user.

How can I block a user?

You can block a user by clicking the block button which appears on the user's profile. Blocking a user is permanent and means that the user cannot:

• Send you a chat request
• Send you a message
• View your profile or your any of your posts

I couldn't find anyone to speak with on a specific issue

We do our best to analyze your post and find the most relevant people for you to talk with; however, our system is still in beta stages. You can try and talk with people about other issues though; try it! It can be fun.

Where can I see a list of the chat requests I have sent and received?

The conversation log located on the upper right side of you personal homepage allows you to see your detailed chat request history. If you'd like to see your entire conversations history just click the "show all" button in the upper right corner.

By clicking on the button "by others", you can see the chat requests you have received.

• A green arrow pointing downwards marks the chat requests you have received and answered.
• A red arrow pointing downwards marks the chat requests you missed or declined.

By clicking on the button "by me", you can see the users to whom you sent chat requests.

• A green arrow pointing upwards marks the chat requests you sent that were received and answered.
• A red arrow pointing upwards shows the chat requests you sent and were missed or declined.

You can send a chat request directly from the conversation log by pressing the "Talk" button.

What is a discussion?

A discussion is a post which has generated public conversation in the form of people commenting on it. Any registered user can add to a discussion. The convenient thing about discussions is they not only give you a sense of what other users are like but are also a way to interact and make your voice heard without having to talk to the user.

How do I add to the discussion?

You can comment on another user's post by clicking the comment button near the post. Once you have typed your response simply click the comment button and it will be added to the discussion. You need to join to be able to comment.

How will I know when someone comments on my post or replies to my comment?

You will receive a notification every time a user:

• Comments on your post
• Replies to a comment you made on another user's post
• Adds something to the discussion even if it's not in direct response to something you posted.

These notifications can be found under the notifications section of a registered user's inbox.
You will also notice the inbox goes red when you receive either a personal message or a notification:

If you have confirmed your email address, you will also receive the notifications via email.
Notifications will contain a link to the original discussion and will give you the option to reply to whatever has already been added.
At any point, you can deactivate the notifications by clicking 'settings' on the top bar. Then click 'notifications'. Here you will be given the option to deactivate notifications.

How do I unsubscribe from notifications?

At any point, you can deactivate the notifications by clicking 'settings' on the top bar. Then click 'notifications'. Here you will be given the option to deactivate notifications.

How do I mute individual threads?

To mute or unsubscribe from an individual thread click the comment button. You will then see an option to unsubscribe from that thread, Click unsubscribe.

How do I subscribe to a thread I haven't commented on?

You can subscribe to receive notifications from a thread you have not commented on. Click the comment button. You will then see an option to subscribe to the thread, Click subscribe.

Where can I see my personal information?

If you are a registered user you have a personal homepage containing all of your personal information. You can access your personal homepage by clicking on your username or the AnybodyOutThere logo on the upper left side of the screen.

Where can I see more information about another user?

Clicking on a username will take you to his/her profile. There you can see the user's personal details, latest feeds, contacts, and profile picture.
You can also send a user a contact request or a personal message from his/her profile.

How do I change my personal info (picture, bio, etc.)?

You can click on "Settings" at the top navigation bar to access your private information and change any of the following: your personal details, password, profile picture, photo gallery, about me, and notifications.

How do I change my availability?

You can change your availability from the top bar. You can
choose from the following options:

I'm available: Visible to all users on the site
I'm busy: Shows you as busy
Invisible: No one will see you, not even your friends

How do I use the translation feature?

It's very simple! All you have to do is select the language you'd like to talk in , using the drop-down menu located on the upper left side of the window. Our system will automatically translate all of the other user's messages to your chosen language.

I forgot my password or my username; how can I retrieve them?

Click on "Forgot Password" at the top of the page and enter the e-mail address you used when registering with the AnybodyOutThere site. We'll send you an e-mail that will help you reset your password. This e-mail will also include your AnybodyOutThere username in case you forgot it.

How old must you be to join?

This site is for general audiences, but you MUST be 13 or over to join. Click here to join.

Do you have a privacy policy?

Your information is safe with us as we do not share any of it with third parties. For further information, please view the privacy policy.

How do I deactivate my profile?

To deactivate your profile, send an email to: support@anybodyoutthere.com. We value your feedback and are always looking for ways to improve the site. We would really appreciate it if you could provide us with a reason for wanting to deactivate your account.

I am still having problems, who can I contact?

You can email our support team at: support@anybodyoutthere.com.