Frequently asked questions
ISO (In Search Of), Quick answers about posting, browsing, and how neighbor wanted posts fit into local buying and selling. For product ideas, use Feedback.
New to ISO App? Watch the intro walkthrough on the ISO, LF & WTB guide (embedded video) or a YouTube Short on About or a longer social clip. On YouTube directly: intro / short / social clip.
What does "in search of" mean when buying something?
In Search Of (ISO) on neighborhood feeds means you want a physical item someone may already have: post what you need, your budget, pickup area, and condition. Neighbors who have it (or know someone clearing one out) reply in-app. ISO App is a Bay Area neighbor beta at heyiso.app.
What does WTB mean for physical items?
WTB means want to buy a real item from a neighbor or local seller, not a digital download or information. On ISO App, WTB posts work like ISO or LF: title the thing, set your budget, message in-app when there is a match. Browse live wanted posts at /browse or post yours from /dashboard.
What does "looking for" mean on marketplace groups?
Looking for (LF) in Buy Nothing and marketplace groups usually means a tangible good: baby gear, a desk, concert merch, a bike. ISO App keeps those wanted posts visible so you are not buried under for-sale listings. See /learn/looking-for and /learn/wtb for examples and titles that get replies.
Is ISO App for intangible requests or information?
No. ISO App is for tangible neighbor handoffs: goods you can inspect, pick up, trade, or give away. Post a specific item (for example “LF: toddler bike 14 inch, under $80”), not open-ended research questions.
What is ISO App?
ISO App (heyiso.app) is a neighbor marketplace for demand-led wanted posts. ISO (In Search Of), LF (looking for), and WTB (want to buy). plus Buy Nothing–style free offers and local trade. You post what you need or what you’re passing on; neighbors message in-app. We’re in beta in the Bay Area. ISO App is not Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, or the official Buy Nothing Project.
Is ISO App the same as Buy Nothing?
No. ISO App is an independent neighbor app inspired by Buy Nothing–style dignity (give what you can, take what you need). We are not affiliated with the Buy Nothing Project or its app. On ISO you can browse free offers at /browse/free, post giveaways from your dashboard, and tag wanted posts with #buynothing or #free when you’re open to a gift-friendly handoff.
How does the referral / neighbor help program work?
ISO is neighbors helping neighbors. To qualify for community neighbor-help consideration: Sign up for a free ISO App account; Post at least one live neighborhood ISO (not a test post); Send email invites to at least 2 friends, family, or colleagues from your /refer page (each unique address counts once). During our initial pilot (through August 31, 2026 Pacific), qualified neighbors may receive extra help fulfilling their live ISO (up to 3 neighbors during our initial pilot (through August 31, 2026)) by purchasing or coordinating their specific ISO (local handoff or ship). Recipients are selected only from neighbors who completed qualification, using published criteria, not at random. Approximate promotional value: up to $100/month during the pilot (3 fulfillments total through August 31, 2026). After the pilot we expect about one neighbor-help fulfillment per month, subject to budget and community growth. Promotional marketing program by ISO App (Thomas Chung). Not a lottery or sweepstakes, recipients are chosen using the published criteria, not by random draw. No purchase necessary. U.S. residents 18+. Void where prohibited. ISO App is not affiliated with Meta or other marketplaces. Selected recipients must consent to on-camera participation and to ISO App’s use of photos/video from fulfillment for marketing; declining may void that selection. Full criteria on /refer.
Will early supporters get perks if you add paid tiers or post limits later?
That’s the direction we’re thinking: neighbors who helped seed the beta. Founding Neighbors, campus badges, and others who consistently build trust. are the people we’d want to grandfather with higher limits or special status before any broader paywall. Nothing is locked in yet; when we get closer, we’ll post it on the Updates page and in Terms with plenty of notice.
Why was my ISO or message blocked as “too fast” or “new account”?
We use light rate limits (many posts or messages in a short window) and a 72‑hour guard on posts that look like high‑risk categories (tickets, housing takeovers, vehicles, wire/deposit language). It reduces spam and scam patterns while we’re in beta. Wait a few minutes or three days respectively, simplify your wording, or email support@heyiso.app if you think it’s a mistake.
How do I stay safe when messaging or meeting someone from ISO?
ISO only connects neighbors. you arrange pickup, payment, and meetups yourselves. Prefer well-lit public places when you can; inspect items before paying; be careful sharing your home address, phone, or financial details in chat; and avoid wire/gift-card pressure. Trust badges are not background checks. See our neighborhood safety guide (/learn/neighborhood-safety) and Terms section 4 (Safety) for the full list.
Can I post ISOs for services, vehicles, housing, tickets, or bikes?
Yes, when lawful where you live. but ISO App only connects neighbors and hosts messages. We are not a broker, payment platform, landlord, DMV, or ticket issuer. Be explicit in your post (terms, condition, transfer rules, pickup), meet safely, and read our Terms: transactions and liability sit with you and the other person.
What does “Member since” on a profile or listing mean?
It shows when that neighbor first joined ISO App (from their account signup date). It helps you spot brand-new accounts versus people who’ve been around a while. but it is not a background check or a guarantee someone is safe. Pair it with confirmed email, badges, messages, and our safety guide.
How does ISO reduce bots and fake accounts?
Email signups must confirm their inbox before password login works; Google and Facebook sign-in confirm the address through OAuth as part of login. New accounts face light rate limits on posts and messages and a 72-hour guard on high-risk post types (tickets, housing, vehicles, wire language). Neighbor reports are reviewed by staff. We can add stronger steps later (e.g. phone verify) if abuse grows. we’ll announce changes on the Updates page.
Can I sign up with Facebook?
Yes. optional on /signup and /login alongside email and Google. ISO App completed Meta business verification (Meta confirmed the business behind the app). That is not a background check on you or other neighbors, and it is different from the verified-email icon on listings (that only means the inbox was confirmed at sign-in). Facebook sign-in is optional; email and Google always work.
What does the verified email icon on a listing mean?
It means the account’s email was confirmed at sign-in. either you clicked the confirmation link after email signup, or you signed in with Google or Facebook (those providers confirm the address as part of OAuth). It is not a background check, identity verification, or a guarantee the person is safe. Use messages, meet safely, and read our neighborhood safety guide.
What do the Founding or campus badges on a listing mean?
They are small trust signals from your account history: Founding Neighbor unlocks after your first live neighborhood ISO in beta; campus badges reflect a verified school email match for supported domains. They are not a guarantee of identity for commerce. always use your own judgment and our safety tips.
What does “Open to shipped offers” on a post mean?
It’s a checkbox the poster turned on to say they’re willing to consider shipping. you and they arrange postage and payment yourselves (Venmo, PayPal, cash on delivery, etc.). ISO does not ship items, print labels, or hold money. Use messages to agree on terms, and follow our safety guide for anything high-value.
Will ISO handle payments or escrow?
Not in beta. ISO introduces neighbors and hosts messages; you pay each other directly. We may explore optional, neutral payment helpers later only if they clearly reduce scams without turning ISO into a marketplace checkout. we’d announce that on the Updates page first. Until then, meet safely, inspect items, and avoid wire or gift-card pressure.
What is the “within my travel radius” filter on Browse?
When you’re signed in, you can narrow the feed to posts whose poster ZIP is within a rough straight-line distance of yours, up to the “how far you’ll go” setting on your Profile. It’s a ZIP-region estimate, not driving time, and pairs we can’t estimate stay visible so you don’t miss neighbors.
I live in San Francisco or the East Bay. can I sign up?
Yes. and so can neighbors anywhere in the U.S. with a valid ZIP. We’re focused on growing activity in the Bay Area first, so the feed may be thinner where you are until more neighbors join. Use Browse travel radius to focus on nearby posts.
I’m outside the Bay Area. can I still join?
Yes. Sign up with your real U.S. ZIP. ISO App is building neighbor density in the Bay Area first, but you can post, browse, and message from anywhere. Travel radius on Browse helps you see ISOs near you.
I have a Bay Area college email (.edu). What’s different?
We verify supported Bay Area campuses from your sign-in email and show a campus badge on your profile. Perks match other early beta neighbors. same Founding Member path after your first live ISO.
What’s next for students on ISO App?
On our roadmap: optional “student housing / dorm” tags, clearer pickup safety tips, optional campus pickup spots, and better flows for textbooks and furniture moves. Collectibles and family or baby ISOs stay South Bay–first for moderation while we scale.
What do LF and WTB mean?
LF usually means “looking for” and WTB means “want to buy.” On ISO App they’re the same idea as an ISO: a wanted post. You can use that wording in your title or description; the feed is built for demand-led neighbor asks.
Can I post an ISO for Pokémon cards or other trading cards?
Yes. Collectibles are a common wanted category. post the set, character, condition, and budget you’re after so nearby collectors can respond. ISO App doesn’t buy or sell cards for you; it helps you find neighbors who might have what you want.
What is the “ISOs open to free” filter on Browse?
It shows wanted posts tagged #buynothing, #free, #gift, and similar. neighbors looking for something without a hard budget, no questions asked. Same public feed as every other ISO; the filter is optional so dignity stays in one place.
What are hashtags for?
Optional categories on your ISO (up to five). They help neighbors filter the feed, for example #bike or #furniture. Tags like #buynothing or #free mark posts where you’re open to a free community handoff; they use the same public feed as every other ISO.
What does “ISO” mean here?
ISO means “In Search Of.” It’s a wanted post: you describe what you’re looking for, your budget range, and the condition you’ll accept so neighbors who have it (or something close) can find you.
How is ISO App different from Marketplace or Nextdoor?
ISO is demand-led: you post the ask first. The feed is built around neighbor ISOs, in-app messaging, and clear status (active, pending, found) instead of burying wanted posts in group chat scroll.
Who can see my ISO?
Neighbors browsing the public feed can see listings you mark as listed publicly. You can unlist from the public feed anytime while keeping the post in your account. Staff moderation may hide posts that violate guidelines.
Do I need an account to browse?
You can browse the feed without signing in. To post an ISO or message someone, you’ll need an account. email, Google, or Facebook sign-in on /signup.
How long do listings stay active?
Each ISO has an active-until date (typically seven days from posting). When that date passes, the listing expires automatically. During beta, non–Founding Members get one free manual renew per ISO; Founding Members can turn on free auto-renew every seven days on live posts (or renew expired ones again). Later, renewals may be paid or limited for new accounts.
What happens if a poster passes on my offer?
The ISO poster taps “Not a fit” on your thread first. Then you can save what you messaged to My offers. we use it privately to suggest a match on their and other similar ISOs (keyword overlap, same beta). It is not a public for-sale listing yet. Edit saved offers under My offers in the nav.
Is ISO App a store or payment platform?
No. ISO helps you connect with neighbors. Any payment, pickup, or dispute is between you and the other person. See our Terms of Service for details.
What data do you collect?
We collect what’s needed to run accounts and posts (for example email, ZIP for neighborhood context, and messages you send in-app). Read the Privacy Policy for the full list and how to reach us.
New to the concept? Read What is an ISO post? or ISO, LF & WTB for neighbors.