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Frequently Asked Questions
🚀Getting Started
What is Debatism?▼
Debatism is a structured debate platform where users can participate in meaningful discussions on important topics. Unlike traditional forums, Debatism uses a unique voting system that rewards quality arguments and tracks when minds are changed.
How do I create an account?▼
Click "Sign In" in the top right corner and choose to create a new account. You can sign up with your email address.
Is Debatism free to use?▼
Yes! Basic participation is free. You can browse debates, read arguments, and participate once you create an account. Premium tiers unlock additional features like debate creation and AI assistance.
🗳️Voting System
How does voting work?▼
Each user gets 6 votes per debate: 3 positive (+20, +10, +2 points) and 3 negative (-10, -5, -1 points). On YOUR side, you can use both types. On the OPPOSING side, you can only downvote. Votes are locked for 7 days.
Why can I only downvote opposing arguments?▼
This design prevents vote manipulation and encourages genuine engagement. You're voting on argument quality, and supporting the opposing side would conflict with your stated position.
What happens if I change my mind?▼
If an argument convinces you to switch sides, you can "defect". This awards a +25 persuasion bonus to the convincing argument and gives you fresh votes for your new side. You can switch up to 3 times per debate.
💬Creating & Finding Debates
How do I create a debate?▼
You need to either reach Advocate tier (500 reputation) OR subscribe to a paid plan (Strategist, Mastermind, or Enterprise). Once eligible, click "Create Debate" in the Debates menu to start a new discussion with your chosen topic and initial positions.
How do I find debates I'm interested in?▼
Browse categories on the homepage, use the search feature, or check "Trending" for popular discussions. You can also filter by topic, activity level, or age.
What makes a good debate topic?▼
Good topics are clear, specific, balanced (reasonable people could disagree), and appropriate for civil discussion. Avoid topics that are too broad or already settled.
⭐Reputation & Tiers
How do I earn reputation?▼
Earn reputation by receiving upvotes on your arguments, having arguments that change minds (persuasion bonuses), and making consistent, thoughtful contributions.
What are the different tiers?▼
Newcomer (free, default) lets you browse and participate. Advocate (500 rep) unlocks debate creation. Strategist and Mastermind are paid tiers with AI features and priority support.
Do I lose reputation if I'm downvoted?▼
Downvotes don't directly reduce your total reputation, but they do affect the score of individual arguments. Focus on quality over quantity.
🤖AI Features
What is "Invite AI to Debate"?▼
Debate creators can invite AI to add arguments, useful for seeding new debates with initial perspectives or exploring viewpoints you might not have considered.
What is AI Voting Advice?▼
Available to Strategist tier and above, AI can analyze arguments and suggest vote allocations. It shows reasoning for each suggestion, and you decide whether to follow the advice.
🔧Troubleshooting
The page isn't loading correctly▼
Try refreshing the page, clearing your browser cache, trying a different browser, or ensuring you're signed in. If issues persist, contact support.
I can't find a debate I was participating in▼
Check your profile page for debates you've joined, use the search feature with keywords, or browse category pages for related topics.
How do I report inappropriate content?▼
Click the flag icon on any argument or debate to report it. Our moderation team reviews all reports and takes appropriate action.
Still Need Help?
Can't find what you're looking for? Send us a message directly.