Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What is Social Trade? Social Trade is a barter marketplace that connects local businesses with content creators. Businesses offer a service (a haircut, a meal, a hotel stay, a class) in exchange for content — photos, videos, or social posts. No money changes hands. Creators get real experiences to feature; businesses get authentic content without an ad budget.

Where is Social Trade available? We’re currently live for businesses and creators based in Orange County, California. We’re growing carefully, city by city — follow our social channels or check back here for updates on new areas.

Is Social Trade free to use? Yes. Signing up, browsing listings, and applying to trades is completely free for both businesses and creators.

Do I need to be a professional influencer to join as a creator? No. You don’t need a huge following. What matters most is the quality and style of your content, and whether it’s a good fit for the business you’re trading with. Many businesses are looking for genuine, everyday content rather than polished ad-style photography.

How Trades Work

How does a trade actually work?

  1. A business posts a listing describing the service they’re offering and the type of content they’re looking for in return.
  2. Creators browse listings and apply to the ones that fit their style.
  3. The business reviews applicants and approves the one they’d like to work with.
  4. Once approved, the creator and business coordinate directly (through in-app messaging) to schedule and complete the trade.
  5. After the trade, both sides leave a review.

Who decides how much content is “fair” for a service? The business sets expectations in their listing — for example, “one Reel and three photos” in exchange for a haircut. Creators can see this upfront before applying, so both sides know what they’re agreeing to before the trade begins. If expectations aren’t clear, we always recommend confirming details in the chat before the trade starts.

What happens if the other side doesn’t hold up their end of the trade? We know this is the biggest risk in any barter arrangement. That’s why we built in ratings/reviews after every trade, and Report and Block tools on every listing, profile, and conversation. If a trade goes badly, you can report it and we’ll review it. See our Community Guidelines & Safety page for more on how this works.

Can I negotiate the terms of a listing? Yes — once you’re in a conversation with the business or creator, you’re free to discuss and adjust details like timing, deliverables, or scope, as long as both sides agree.

Once I’m approved for a listing, is it still open to other applicants? No. A listing becomes inactive to other applicants as soon as the business approves someone, so you don’t have to worry about being in competition after you’ve been selected.

For Businesses

What kind of businesses use Social Trade? Local, in-person service businesses tend to do best — salons, restaurants, gyms, boutiques, studios, cafes, and similar. If what you offer can be experienced and captured in content, it’s likely a good fit.

What do I get out of it? Authentic, real-world content from real customers — the kind of content that tends to perform better and cost less than traditional advertising or paid influencer deals.

Can I set requirements for who applies? You can describe what you’re looking for in your listing (content style, platform, follower range, etc.), and you review every applicant before approving one — you’re always in control of who you work with.

For Creators

What do I get out of it? Free access to services, products, and experiences in exchange for content you’d likely be creating anyway — plus the chance to build relationships with local businesses.

Do I keep the rights to the content I create? Yes, you retain ownership of your content. Businesses are trading for the right to use and repost the content you create for them (as agreed in your conversation) — not for ownership of it.

Can I apply to multiple listings at once? Yes, you can apply to as many listings as you’re genuinely interested in and able to fulfill.

Account & Safety

Is my information safe? Yes. We use industry-standard authentication (Sign in with Apple and Google) and never share your personal contact information without your consent. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

How do I report a problem or a bad actor? Every listing, profile, and conversation has a Report and Block option. Reports go directly to our team for review. See our Safety & Community Guidelines page for more.

How do I delete my account? You can delete your account and associated data at any time from your in-app settings. If you need help, reach out through our Support page.

Still have questions?

Visit our Support page and send us a message — we typically respond within 1–2 business days.