Verification badge is a great idea, even for enthusiasts. I think that would at least allow enthusiasts to lay down some trust ahead of contacting each other or requesting a pro session.
@AngelNextDoor I hear you on that. I’m not a pro but I’ve spent time on my profile and my pics. I even had a cuddler my profile pic once and then block me from seeing them. (It’s not of my face but an artistic piece) I found out because someone else told me about it. they’ve since deleted their account thankfully.
@alyhugs isn't the 2nd thing you said what karma is for?
@a_cactus karma is usually mostly positive. The only thing it really shows is someone lived to tell the tale. I wish it was a more reliable source of info but folks are too afraid of retaliatory negative karma. So she’s suggesting a private note system for pros.
Problem is that kind of leaves enthusiasts like myself in the dark.
It’s an interesting suggestion but it’s not gonna happen.
@alyhugs
“Private Pro-to-Pro Client Notes: Give pros the option to leave private notes on a client’s profile after a completed appointment that only other pros can see.“
ENORMOUS YES. The amount of times I message a pro asking about someone they left positive karma for and then they tell me about all the boundary pushing they did…it’s nuts. We need to be able to communicate these things privately without fear of retaliation.
@MelNYC that's exactly why I don't rely on Karma and do my own extensive vetting. Leaving positive Karma for a client who pushed boundaries isn't helpful for anyone. Better to not leave any then to leave inaccurate. Someone who continued to push boundaries after I said no would have the session ended. Then Karma left would accurately reflect the experience.
This is the first forum I've ever joined where there's no "Mark all new posts as read" button. These notifications are terrible for my ocd. 😅
@AngelNextDoor you can mute the threads if you like. Mark talks about it here
https://www.cuddlecomfort.com/forum/discussion/25476/muting-threads#latest
I wish we could get sound notifications from this site. ❤️ That way you’d know when someone messages you💕
@kitkat3662
You can get Push Notifications via method linked below. The reliability of this for iPhone has been significantly improved since a couple of months ago, thanks to the help of @mauvefox
https://help.cuddlecomfort.com/article/33-do-you-have-an-app
@alyhugs yes I agree with you on these suggestions. I was thinking the same thing about having a private pro feedback on clients to help other pros decide whether or not they should book with clients without the fear of karma retaliation or anything affecting them.
This would be a great reference esp since even though there is a forum for pros that exist about safety and users, I since the forum has so many pages, it is very easy for things to get missed.
I dont know about making a subscription out of the pro+ features though since the site already takes a fee from the bookings we make. But I can understand the incentive.
Another couple of suggestions for CC!
Since many clients prefer paying cash or don't feel comfortable sharing payment information with pros, what if CC offered a secure payment system that protects both parties?
Clients could pay a 50% deposit or the full session amount upfront. If a client cancels last minute or doesn't show up, the pro would still be compensated for their time, preparation, and travel based on their cancellation policy. Likewise, if a pro doesn't show up, the client could receive a refund.
Of course, there would need to be a dispute process where both parties can provide screenshots, messages, or other evidence for moderators to review.
I know CC already collects booking deposits for its platform fees, but having a system that also protects the pro's actual earnings would provide more security and accountability. Once the session is confirmed, CC could release the deposit to the pro, with any remaining balance paid directly.
Alternatively, CC could integrate something like Plaid with a payment processor to allow secure bank payments without sharing financial information between clients and pros, while supporting refunds and individual cancellation policies.
Another suggestion is a calendar feature attached to pro profiles!
Pros could list their general availability or open time slots, allowing clients to submit booking proposals based on those times. Pros could then accept or decline depending on their actual availability.
This wouldn't necessarily guarantee a booking, but it would give clients a better idea of availability before reaching out.
I think both features could significantly reduce the back and forth messaging, administrative work, and executive functioning demands of managing appointments while making the booking process easier, safer, and more convenient for everyone.
A few more suggestions for CC regarding profile customization, accessibility, and improving the overall user experience!
Allow short videos (1 minute max) so members can express themselves and give others a better sense of their personality beyond still photos. Existing CC rules would still apply, including no social media handles, contact information, or prohibited content.
Allow members to include images or infographics in their About Me sections to visually summarize booking instructions, boundaries, availability, etc.
I've actually used AI to condense my booking instructions into a more visual format. Not everyone processes lengthy text the same way, so this could improve accessibility and reduce repetitive questions.
Give members the ability to manually reorder their photos instead of automatically placing new uploads last.
Offer an optional profile layout with clearly organized sections for boundaries, availability, session preferences, booking instructions, etc.
Members could opt in or keep their traditional About Me format. For those who opt in, important information would appear near the top instead of being buried at the bottom or scattered throughout lengthy descriptions.
This could also include a "Ready to Book?" button that allows clients to submit requests based on a pro's availability and booking requirements.
For pros who require deposits, especially from new clients, this could connect to a secure payment system using something like Plaid with a payment processor, as mentioned in my previous suggestion. CC could manage deposits and payments without either party sharing banking information.
Since discretion matters to some members, CC could also use a neutral but accurate billing descriptor that identifies the business without explicitly mentioning cuddling.
This could streamline bookings, reduce unnecessary messaging, encourage serious inquiries, and potentially increase revenue for both CC and pros.
Allow members, including enthusiasts, to indicate whether they're comfortable receiving unsolicited messages from pros, regardless of whether they've visited their profiles.
This would help respect everyone's intentions and boundaries without requiring repeated explanations.
Overall
I appreciate Cuddle Comfort for what it currently offers, but I genuinely think there's so much untapped potential to make it more accessible, organized, and user friendly.
These improvements could reduce administrative work and executive functioning demands for pros, help clients and enthusiasts find compatible connections, encourage more serious bookings, and create more revenue opportunities for CC.
The community is already here. I just think the platform could use some modernization rather than continuing to feel like an old InvisionFree forum from the 2000s. I say that with appreciation for what CC has built, because I genuinely think improving the user experience could benefit everyone involved.
@alyhugs 100% YES we NEED this!!! I cannot agree more!
Along with the above mentioned, I wish there was a way that once people were banned they would NOT be able to sign up again under another name etc. Pick up on web address or that kind of tracking? 🤷🏻♀️ idk im not a techy. Some keep signing up and keep stalking or continue the same Ole same. Yes we can continue to report them but someone is eventually going to sneak through I'm afraid. The potential for them to really damage a pros reputation here is significant or worse "sexual assault" with some of the messages and sessions I've had, this is a real concern. I feel it's definitely happened to me and I know it's happened to others.
Retaliatory karma is definitely what keeps me from leaving negative karma, but the pro to pro notes are an amazing idea! Its a great way for us to keep each other safe. I just never left any karma
If would be nice if enthusiasts could also see the proposed pro to pro notes. We don't wanna cuddle with the creeps either. 😫
My suggestions are/were:
Photo and message privacy: It would be helpful if blocking someone also prevented them from viewing previous messages and photos, or if we could delete photos after sending them. I once blocked someone who became stalkerish, but they still have a photo of my face. I also use a separate phone number to coordinate cuddles and have experienced what I believe was retaliation after declining sexual advances. Knowing someone retains access to your photos, phone number, or address after being blocked can feel unsafe.
Search past messages: A way to search message history would make it easier to reconnect with people I’ve cuddled with, especially since I travel frequently and don’t always remember which city they live in.
City search navigation: When searching another city, hitting the back button returns me to my home city instead of the city I was browsing.
Forum search: How do you search forum topics when using the site on a mobile phone?
Anonymous forum participation: An option to post or comment anonymously would be appreciated. I value my privacy, and it’s one reason I rarely participate in the forums on certain topics.
@CaramelNotes
Scroll all the way to the bottom of the main forum page - the search bar is down there on mobile. It's only viewable from the main forum pages, not from within any threads.
You can also directly use urls to search. Examples: https://www.cuddlecomfort.com/forum/search?Search=Test Replace the word Test with whatever keyword you want to search. https://www.cuddlecomfort.com/forum/search?Search="profile+pic" Replace the words profile and pic to search for multiword phrases.
🌿If it were mandatory to indicate if one can host or be guest. 🌿If there was a way of calling through the site and having your ph number blocked.. or a way of meeting online via the site with ph number blocked! 🌿Archiving messages! 🙏🙏🙏❤️
@cuddlefaery
I never knew! Thank you! Lol
@cuddlefaery can you search your messages?
In these forums I would like to be able to respond directly back to someone instead of going to the bottom of the thread, putting my comment there. As it is, they probably won't see it or nobody will know who I'm responding to or why
I see the original poster has deleted their post. As someone who works in health and human services, I adamantly disagree with all of his points, including photos. As a female it’s necessary on our end for safety (guys I know you don’t care). I cannot be around 420… so umm yah about the smoke. And some people, religion is their world and I believe in science… that’s sorta a thing. I would want to know if someone doesn’t have a car… like I want to make sure they can handle their transport before they cuddle with me… ya know. So anyhoo just some food for thought.
@zoeloveshugs Oh i like the idea of offering a call via the website too. I think this would speed up a lot of bookings for a lot of people too.
Sign up in just a few seconds and instantly communicate with people looking to cuddle near you.