MeetNow who can join settings: how do I choose who joins?

Short answer: on MeetNow, the host decides who joins every plan. The MeetNow who can join settings let you limit a plan by gender or age range when you post it; after that, people ask to join with a short note, and you accept or decline each request. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, you can block them. Nobody joins your plan without your say-so.

Choosing your group is one of the things that makes plans with new people work. A women-only coffee, a dinner for people in their thirties, a padel game for intermediate players: the right group makes a plan more comfortable and more fun. This help page explains the tools hosts have and how to use them well. It describes what MeetNow lets you do, not every screen; the app is live on the web at app.trymeetnow.com, with the store versions still on the way.

How to choose who joins your plan, step by step

1. Post your plan. Add the public place, date, time, number of seats and who pays: host pays, split, pay your own or free.
2. Decide whether to limit who can join. If the plan is meant for a particular group, set a limit by gender or age range.
3. Ask for a useful note. In the description, say what you would like people to mention, for example their level at a sport or why the plan appeals to them.
4. Review each request. Read the note and look at the person’s profile and track record of confirmed “we met” plans.
5. Accept or decline. Accept the people who fit the plan; decline the rest. You do not need to give a reason.
6. Welcome your group. Accepted guests get a group chat. Say hello and confirm the details.

New to hosting? Read how to host a plan on MeetNow first.

Using gender and age-range limits

Who-can-join limits shape the group before anyone asks to join. Hosts use them for many good reasons:

• Comfort. Some people feel more at ease meeting strangers in a women-only or men-only group, especially the first few times.
• Common ground. A plan for people in a similar age range, such as “dinner for people in their 40s”, often makes conversation easier.
• The plan itself. Some activities are naturally organised by group, such as a women’s running plan or a game night for students.

Use limits when they genuinely help the plan, and say so in the description, for example “women-only coffee for newcomers”. If you leave the plan open to everyone, you still choose who joins from the requests.

Reading request notes

The short note people send when they ask to join is your best guide. A good note:

• shows the person has read the plan, mentioning the place, time or activity;
• answers what you asked for, such as a level or a line about themselves;
• is friendly and specific, for example “I moved to Sliema last month and I’d love to try a new restaurant with new people”.

Alongside the note, look at the person’s track record. Each confirmed “we met” after a plan adds to it, so it shows someone has turned up to plans before. A short track record usually just means someone is new; a thoughtful note can matter more. Our page on filling the seats for a group plan has tips for writing a description that attracts the right requests.

Declining and blocking

• Declining simply means the person does not join this plan. You do not need to explain why; it is normal for a plan to have more requests than seats.
• Blocking is for anyone who makes you uncomfortable, for example with an inappropriate note or message. Use it whenever you feel you need to; you do not need anyone’s permission.

Blocking is available to everyone, hosts and guests alike. For the full picture on safety, read is MeetNow safe? and our safety tips for hosting strangers.

Choosing a good mix of guests

Limits and notes help you choose a group that works. A few habits experienced hosts use:

• Match the plan. For a padel game, choose players at a similar level; for a dinner, choose people whose notes suggest they will enjoy the conversation.
• Mix newcomers and regulars. One or two people with a track record of plans can help a group of first-timers relax.
• Do not overfill. If the plan has four seats, keep it at four, even if more good requests arrive. You can always post the plan again.
• Be consistent. If you limited the plan to an age range or gender, say so clearly in the description, so nobody is surprised.

Example plan with a who-can-join limit

Women-only Sunday brunch for newcomers. Sunday, 11:00 to 12:30, at a café in Sliema. 4 seats, pay your own. Limited to women. A relaxed brunch to swap tips about life in Malta. Please write a line about yourself and how long you have been here.

Related questions

• How do I host a plan on MeetNow?
• How do I ask to join a plan?
• What is a MeetNow track record?
• Is MeetNow safe?
• Who pays on a MeetNow plan?

FAQ: MeetNow who can join settings

Can I make a plan women-only on MeetNow?

Yes. Hosts can limit who can join a plan by gender, and by age range.

Do I have to accept everyone who asks to join?

No. You accept or decline each request, and you do not need to give a reason for declining.

Do I have to explain why I declined someone?

You never have to explain a decision. It is normal for plans to have more requests than seats.

What can I do if someone sends an inappropriate request?

Decline the request and block the user. Blocking is available to every MeetNow user.