100M+ Verified Neighbors… But Who’s Being Counted?

Nextdoor recently highlighted that it operates with “100M+ verified neighbors.” On the surface, that sounds impressive and confidence-inspiring. But it raises a set of governance questions that deserve serious discussion.

If Nextdoor is emphasizing scale and trust, then transparency around how those numbers are measured and maintained matters just as much as the headline itself.

Here are the questions I continue to ask—especially in light of ongoing moderation and enforcement practices:

• How many of those “verified neighbors” are temporarily suspended?

• How many are indefinitely suspended?

• Are suspended accounts still included in the 100M+ figure?

• What percentage of appeals are actually overturned?

• What quality assurance exists for moderator decisions—especially when moderators are unpaid and anonymous?

Governance isn’t just about protecting the brand or moving fast. It’s about accountability, consistency, and trust in the system—for users, advertisers, and communities.

When enforcement lacks transparency, metrics lose meaning. When appeals lack visibility, trust erodes. And when users can’t question the platform itself without penalty, the conversation stops being about connection and starts being about control.

If Nextdoor wants to lead with scale, it also needs to lead with clarity.

Because real connection isn’t measured by how many users you claim—it’s measured by how many voices you’re willing to hear.

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