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relates to Nextdoor’s Quest to Beat Toxic Content and Make Money

Illustration: Maxime Mouysset

CityLab
+ Technology

Nextdoor’s Quest to Beat Toxic Content and Make Money

The social media site is trying to shed its reputation for dividing neighborhoods. But what is the platform without all the awkward comments and uncomfortable politics?

It was the height of the pandemic, and San Leandro’s Nextdoor pages were buzzing.

“Arm and train yourselves,” one resident posted on the neighborhood-based social media app. “Any crooks I find breaking in and come inside my home will leave in a body bag inside the back of a coroner van.” A flood of neighbors agreed. “I guarantee these criminals would stop breaking into houses if more people had guns and put them in their faces,” read another comment.