How to Find Communities
How to Find Communities
The best communities are the ones right around the corner. The Discover page is your window into what's happening nearby — from local groups and gatherings to places worth visiting. Whether you're new in town or just curious about what's going on in your neighbourhood, this is the place to start.
Getting to the Discover Page
To open the Discover page, click the community switcher (the arrows icon next to the logo in the top navigation) and select Discover what's around you. The page shows nearby communities and local experiences in one place.
You don't need an account to explore — guests can browse the Discover page freely.
Setting Your Location
Discover works best when it knows where you are. How your location is set depends on whether you're signed in.
If you're not signed in
The first time you visit the Discover page, you'll see a location prompt. You have two options:
- Click on the map to drop a pin at your location, then drag the marker to fine-tune it
- Click "Use my current location" to let your browser detect your position automatically
Your chosen location is remembered on this device, so you won't need to set it again on your next visit.
If you're signed in
Your location is pulled from your profile settings automatically. You can update it anytime by visiting your profile and adjusting your saved location.
Browsing Nearby Communities
The Nearby Communities section shows communities near your location. Each community card displays:
- Community image — a visual preview of the community
- Name — the community's title
- Description — a short summary of what the community is about
Click any community card to visit it and learn more. This section is collapsible, so you can fold it away when you want to focus on local content instead.
Exploring Local Content
Below the communities section, you'll find a grid of local experiences — content from nearby communities that might interest you. Each card shows:
- Image — a visual preview of the content
- Title and description — a quick look at what it's about
- Community name — which community it belongs to
- Location — where it's happening
Content types include Events and Places, with more types visible to community members (see the visibility section below).
Using Search
A search bar sits at the top of the Discover page. Start typing and results will filter in real time (with a slight delay as it searches). Search looks across:
- Community names
- Content titles and descriptions
This makes it easy to find something specific without scrolling through everything.
Switching to Map View
Prefer a visual overview? Use the toggle button at the bottom of the screen to switch between list and map views.
On the map, you'll see markers for communities, events, and places. Communities also show a circle to indicate their general area.
Click any marker to see its details. Clicking a community pin takes you directly to that community's page. The map is a great way to get a sense of what's happening geographically around you.
What You Can See
What appears on the Discover page depends on whether you're signed in and which communities you've joined.
As a guest (not signed in)
- Public experiences such as Events and Places from nearby communities
- A "Join a Community" banner at the bottom of the page with options to sign up or sign in
As a member (signed in)
- Everything guests can see, plus forum content like Posts and Discussions from communities you've joined
- The ability to flag content directly from the Discover page if something doesn't look right (flagged content is reviewed by community moderators)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why don't I see any communities or content? A: Make sure your location is set correctly. If you're in a rural area, there may not be communities nearby yet. Try zooming out on the map view to widen your search, or use the search bar to look for specific topics.
Q: Can I change my location after setting it? A: If you're signed in, update your location in your profile settings. If you're browsing as a guest, you can reset the saved location in your browser settings or use the location prompt the next time you visit.
Q: Why can I see some content but not other types? A: Guests can see public experiences like Events and Places. Forum content such as Posts and Discussions is only visible to members of those communities. Join a community to see everything it has to offer.
Q: Is my location shared with other people? A: Your exact location is never shared. It's only used to show you relevant nearby communities and content. For more details, read our Your Privacy Matters article.
Need Help?
If you have questions about finding communities or anything else on the Discover page, contact our support team. We're happy to help.