What Are Flags?
Flags help keep the Microsoft Flight Simulator Forums civil and welcoming. They let community members report posts that may violate the
Code of Conduct. When flagged, posts are sent to the MSFS Forum team for review—or in some cases, automatically hidden based on community trust.
To flag a specific post, click the small flag icon next to the ‘Reply’ button:
Located underneath the post.
To flag an entire topic/thread, scroll to the bottom and click the flag icon next to “Reply to Topic”:
Use this if the topic itself violates the Code of Conduct, is in the wrong category, or is a duplicate.
When Should I Flag Something?
You should flag a post if it’s:
- Off-topic or spam
- Inappropriate or disrespectful
- Any other violation of the Code of Conduct
- In the wrong language (non-English) otuside designated areas
- A duplicate or posted in the wrong category
In those last three cases, flag the first post and choose “Something Else”—then briefly explain the issue (e.g. “Should be in Airport Section”).
Do NOT flag:
- Just because you disagree with someone
- Because you don’t like a specific user
- This is considered “revenge flagging” and violates the Code of Conduct.
What Happens After You Flag?
Flags go into a review queue visible only to forum staff. Depending on the situation, our team may:
- Agree with the flag and take action
- Disagree and leave the post visible
- Ignore if no action is needed
If staff agree with your flag, it boosts your flagging accuracy score. If they disagree, it lowers it.
Trusted users’ flags may temporarily hide posts automatically, but all flagged content is still reviewed by staff for final action.
What If a Post Gets Multiple Flags?
When a post receives several flags:
- It may be automatically hidden (temporarily)
- In some cases, the entire topic may be temporarily closed
- Staff are notified and will review the situation
What If My Post Gets Flagged?
If your post is hidden due to flags:
- You’ll be given one chance to edit it
- You must wait 10 minutes before editing (to encourage thoughtful edits)
- If you edit it in a helpful way, it will become visible again
- If you don’t edit, or make an insincere edit, the post will be removed.
If a flagged post is hidden again after editing, it will require staff review. You will not be able to edit it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask why my post was flagged?
Yes. please send a direct message to @moderators. Never discuss flagged posts (yours or others’) in public threads.
Can I flag a moderator or staff post?
No. Staff posts cannot be flagged.
Who can flag posts?
Anyone with Trust Level 2 or higher can flag.
Learn more about Trust Levels here!
Will the author know I flagged them?
Nope! All flags are anonymous (unless you choose to send a message with the flag).
Want Your Topic Closed?
If you’re the original poster (OP), you can request your topic be closed by:
Preferred:
- Sending a direct message to @moderators with the topic link and your reason
Alternate method:
- Flag your first post or the topic as “Something Else” and explain you’d like it closed
Final Notes
Please remember:
- The Code of Conduct is the foundation for all moderation decisions
- Using flags responsibly helps reduce workload for moderators and keeps the forum safe
- Moderation decisions are not to be discussed publicly
- If we make a mistake in how we moderated your post, we will discuss amongst the team and correct it
If you have any questions, reach out via DM to @moderators.
Thanks for helping us keep the forums a welcoming and respectful place for all simmers!
– The Microsoft Flight Simulator Team