Nextdoor is a popular social platform that connects neighbors within real, geographically-based communities. Whether you're new to the platform or a longtime user, configuring your account settings properly is key to having a positive and secure experience. From privacy and notifications to content preferences and neighborhood visibility, the right settings can enhance your experience and protect your personal information.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to choose the right settings for your Nextdoor account—step-by-step—to match your needs, comfort level, and activity preferences.
Before diving into the specifics, it’s important to understand why settings are essential:
Control visibility of your profile and posts.
Manage notifications to avoid being overwhelmed.
Enhance security through login and privacy options.
Customize your experience with personalized content and feed preferences.
By optimizing your settings, you can enjoy the benefits of a neighborhood network while staying in control of your digital presence.
On Desktop:
Log in to nextdoor.com.
Click on your profile photo (top right corner).
Select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
On Mobile App:
Open the app.
Tap the “More” (☰) menu in the bottom right corner.
Scroll down and tap “Settings.”
From here, you’ll find several categories including Account, Privacy, Notifications, and Content Preferences.
This section manages your basic account information.
What You Can Do:
Change your email address or password.
Update your home address (important if you’ve moved).
Add family members or business profiles.
Set or update profile photo and bio.
Tips:
Use a clear photo and short bio to build trust with neighbors.
Keep your address current to ensure you're connected to the right neighborhood group.
Privacy controls are among the most important features on Nextdoor. Here, you can control who sees your information and how your activity is shared.
Key Options:
Who can see your profile:
You can choose to let only neighbors see your full profile or restrict certain details.
Decide if people in nearby neighborhoods can view your content.
Visibility of your posts:
You can make posts visible to:
Just your neighborhood
Your neighborhood and nearby ones
Hide your address:
You can choose to display your address fully, partially, or hide it completely from your profile and posts.
Limit private messages:
Choose whether anyone, only neighbors, or no one can send you direct messages.
Tips:
If you're concerned about privacy, limit your profile visibility to your own neighborhood.
Restrict private messages if you're receiving unwanted communication.
Nextdoor notifications can arrive via email, SMS, and in-app alerts. These help you stay updated, but too many can quickly become overwhelming.
Email Notifications:
You can enable or disable email alerts for:
Daily neighborhood digest
New private messages
Replies to your posts
Events, classifieds, or crime alerts
Push Notifications (Mobile App):
Customize push notifications for:
Mentions and replies
Messages
Community announcements
Urgent alerts (e.g., safety concerns)
SMS Alerts:
You can opt-in to receive critical alerts (like safety warnings) via text.
Tips:
If you're active daily, consider turning off email digests.
Enable SMS or push notifications for safety alerts to stay informed.
You can tailor your feed to display the type of content you’re most interested in.
What You Can Control:
Show or hide posts from nearby neighborhoods.
Follow or mute specific topics, such as:
For Sale & Free
Crime & Safety
Events
Lost & Found
Recommendations
Follow or mute specific neighbors if needed.
Tips:
Mute noisy categories or users rather than leaving the platform.
Prioritize topics like "Crime & Safety" or "Local Services" if those are most relevant to you.
Nextdoor offers several tools to help secure your account and manage your login experience.
Key Settings:
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of protection when logging in.
Manage connected devices: Review and log out of unfamiliar sessions.
Change your password regularly to maintain security.
Tips:
Enable 2FA if you haven’t already—this helps protect against unauthorized access.
If you suspect account misuse, check your login history and update your password immediately.
If you manage a business account or represent a public agency, your settings will have additional options.
For Business Accounts:
Manage customer messages and notifications for engagement.
Control visibility of your business to nearby neighborhoods.
Update business hours, contact details, and service area.
For Public Agencies:
Configure announcement permissions.
Set alert preferences for your region.
Manage audience targeting for updates.
If you encounter an unpleasant interaction, you can block or mute other users.
Block:
Prevents someone from sending you messages.
Hides their posts from your view.
Mute:
Hides a user’s posts but allows messaging.
These features help tailor your Nextdoor experience without escalating interactions unnecessarily.
Your needs and comfort level may change over time, especially if you move or become more active in the community.
When to Review:
After moving to a new neighborhood.
If you're getting too many emails or push alerts.
After a negative interaction.
When Nextdoor updates its privacy policies or features.
Set a reminder every few months to check in on your settings—it only takes a few minutes but can make a big difference.
Your Nextdoor settings are the backbone of your experience on the platform. Whether you’re using the app to buy and sell items, keep up with local news, or stay informed about neighborhood safety, setting up your account to match your preferences is essential.
Take a few minutes to explore and fine-tune your settings. Doing so will help you engage more effectively, protect your privacy, and ensure that your Nextdoor experience is both positive and useful.
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