terms you can actually read

Rules for using DiningSpotter.

These Terms describe the agreement between you and the operator of DiningSpotter when you use diningspotter.com — whether you're comparing two spots, writing a visit note, or claiming a restaurant page. If something here doesn't work for you, please don't use the service.

Version 1.0 — July 28, 2026 [email protected]
the short version

Five lines that matter

  • Write from real visits — no paid-for praise without disclosure.
  • You own your content; we need permission to display it on DiningSpotter.
  • Compare placement and search order are never for sale.
  • We moderate flagged content and explain removals when we can.
  • Email us before formal action — [email protected].
01

Acceptance of terms

By accessing diningspotter.com — including browsing metro maps, using compare tools, creating an account, submitting visit notes, or contacting us — you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy.

DiningSpotter is an independent, early-stage project operated at diningspotter.com. We may update these Terms; the version and date on this page are authoritative. Material changes will be reflected here.

02

Eligibility & registration

To create an account and publish content, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Provide accurate registration information (email, display name).
  • Maintain one account per person unless we approve otherwise in writing.
  • Keep your login credentials secure — activity under your account is your responsibility.
display names Nicknames are welcome. Impersonating another person, a critic, or a restaurant is grounds for suspension.
03

The DiningSpotter service

DiningSpotter provides restaurant comparison tools for select metros: when-to-go notes, what-to-order picks, side-by-side filters, visit notes, and listing pages. Coverage is early stage and expands as verification allows — we do not guarantee availability in any particular city or for any particular listing.

14 metros live · 16 listings verified. We're adding listings one metro at a time.

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue features with reasonable notice. Compare tools and metro maps are provided as-is.

04

Your content & licence

"Your content" means visit notes, spot tips, photos, compare list titles, profile information, and any other material you submit to DiningSpotter.

Ownership
You retain ownership of your content. We do not claim copyright over your visit notes or photos.
Licence you grant
A non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free licence to host, display, and distribute your content on diningspotter.com so the product can function.
What we won't do
We will not sell your content or use it for advertising networks.
When you delete
The licence ends when you remove content or delete your account. We remove live copies within a reasonable time; backups may take longer to clear.
05

Content standards

When posting on DiningSpotter, you agree not to:

Do
  • Base visit notes on meals you personally paid for or were clearly comped with disclosure.
  • Upload photos you took or have permission to share.
  • Correct factual errors when you notice them.
  • Submit spot tips for venues you'd genuinely recommend.
Don't
  • Post undisclosed sponsored or incentivized reviews.
  • Harass staff, owners, or other users by name.
  • Submit false hours, addresses, or menu details.
  • Use DiningSpotter for unrelated advertising, SEO schemes, or spam.
  • Upload illegal content or material that infringes others' rights.

Critique the food and service, not individuals' appearance or background. Do not photograph other diners without consent.

06

Moderation & enforcement

Flagged content is reviewed by the operator. When a post violates these Terms, we may warn you, remove the post, pause publishing, or close the account depending on severity and history.

01
Warning

Email explaining the issue. Minor edits may resolve it without removal.

02
Removal

The specific post comes down. Your account may stay active.

03
Posting pause

Repeat violations may pause publishing while browsing continues.

04
Account closure

Reserved for harassment, fraud, or repeated serious violations.

Appeal any decision at [email protected] with "Appeal" in the subject. We usually reply within a few business days.

07

Our intellectual property

The DiningSpotter name, logo, compare-tool interface, Spot Report format, and site design belong to the operator. You may not:

  • Use "DiningSpotter" in your product name, domain, or marketing without written permission.
  • Scrape, mirror, or bulk-download listing data for competing services.
  • Republish full Spot Reports or metro guides elsewhere without asking first.
  • Remove or alter copyright notices on our materials.

Short quotations with attribution and a link back are permitted for commentary or review purposes.

08

Restaurant partner terms

If you claim a listing on DiningSpotter, these additional terms apply:

  • You may update hours, contact info, menu links, and photos. You may not edit or delete diner visit notes.
  • You may reply publicly to visit notes through the owner-reply field when available.
  • You must not buy, solicit, or reward reviews — including from friends without disclosure.
  • Flag factual errors or abuse through moderation; do not harass reviewers.
  • We may revoke a claim if we receive credible reports of abuse.
  • Compare placement and search order are never affected by claiming a listing.
09

Fees

DiningSpotter is free for diners. Restaurant partners may use Listing Base at no cost. There are no paid Pro or Multi plans and no Stripe billing on the site today. If paid tools are offered later, we will update these Terms before charging.

10

Service disclaimers

DiningSpotter is a comparison guide, not a reservation system or health inspector. We work to keep listings accurate but cannot guarantee:

  • Current hours, prices, or menu items — call ahead for important occasions.
  • Allergen or dietary safety — confirm directly with the restaurant.
  • That any particular restaurant will meet your expectations on a given night.
  • Uninterrupted access — maintenance may cause brief downtime.

Third-party links (booking platforms, delivery apps) are governed by their own terms, not ours.

11

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the DiningSpotter operator is not liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the service — including disappointing meals, missed reservations, or reliance on compare results.

Our total liability for any claim is limited to the greater of $100 USD or the amount you paid us in the 12 months before the claim (currently $0 for most users). Nothing here limits mandatory consumer rights under applicable law.

12

Suspension & termination

You may request account deletion by emailing [email protected] or using account settings when available. We may suspend or terminate access when:

  • You materially breach these Terms.
  • We are required to do so by law.
  • We discontinue DiningSpotter — in which case we will provide reasonable notice when practical.

Sections on intellectual property, liability, and governing law survive termination.

13

Governing law & disputes

We prefer conversation to formal action:

  • First: Email [email protected] describing the issue. We usually reply within a few business days.
  • Governing law: These Terms are governed by applicable law where the operator resides. Contact [email protected] for disputes before formal action.
14

General provisions

Entire agreement
These Terms and the Privacy Policy constitute the full agreement between you and the DiningSpotter operator regarding the service.
Severability
If any provision is unenforceable, the rest remain in effect.
No waiver
Our failure to enforce a term does not waive our right to enforce it later.
Assignment
We may assign these Terms in connection with a transfer of the project. You may not assign your account without our consent.
Definitions
"Visit note" means a signed write-up about a restaurant based on a real visit. "Metro" means a city or region with live compare tools. "Partner" means a restaurant that has claimed its listing.

Questions about these Terms?

We'd rather clarify a line than leave you guessing.

Contact DiningSpotter Privacy policy