Editing How to search for a couch on CouchSurfing

This is a step-by-step guide aimed at beginners and first-time users of [[CouchSurfing]]. In this guide we will show you how to search for a [[couch]], or a place to stay with a [[host]] on the [[CouchSurfing]] [[hospitality exchange]] network. 

== Step 1: Fill out your Profile. ==

Fill out your [[Couchsurfing profile]]. Tell your potential host who you are, and what you are about! Write about your interests, your experiences, and your motivations. It doesn't have to be an essay - the important thing is to give it a try. Upload a profile picture, preferably one which shows your face. '''You are unlikely to find a place to stay without a fully filled in profile page.''' If you need more information, see [[How to fill out your profile]].

== Step 2: Where would you like to go? ==

* At the top of every page you will should find a '''search bar''' with the words '''"Where would you like to go?"'''.
* Type your destination into the search bar, then click '''Surf''' or hit '''Enter'''.
* In this example we have used [[Paris]], France as an example.

[[File:Where_would_you_like_to_go.PNG|alt=Where would you like to go?|Where would you like to go?]]
[[File:Searching_for_paris.PNG|alt=Where would you like to go?|Where would you like to go?]]

== Step 3: Find a place to stay ==


===<span style='color:green'>The CORRECT way ✔</span>===

* Searching for your destination takes you to the [[place page]] associated with your destination. In this example, we are taken to the [[place page]] for the [[Paris]] area.
* At the top of the [[place page]] for your destination you will find a box with the text '''Find a place to stay for [ ] traveler(s)'''


[[File:Find_a_place_to_stay.PNG |alt=Find a place to stay|Find a place to stay]]


* Select the number of people that require a place to stay and click '''Go!''' or hit '''Enter'''.
* You will be taken to the [[Couch search results page]].

===<span style='color:red'>The WRONG way ✘</span>===


* The [[place page]] also acts as a hub for the local community. To the bottom of the '''Find a place to stay''' section is the [[conversations]] section.
* The conversations section is a '''public forum''' where locals and travellers can discuss the local area, for example, to arrange meetups or discuss events that may be happening.
* '''Do not post a [[request]] for a [[couch]] in this section.'''


[[File:Conversations_no.png |alt=Don't do this|Don't do this]]


* For more details see [[community guidelines]].
* ''Why?'' '''Safety''': by posting in a public forum, you are inviting strangers to contact you.
* ''Why?'' '''Simple courtesy''': it is more polite to ask people directly for their hospitality. You will be more successful finding a place to stay through personalized messages.
* ''Why?'' '''Spam''': Thousands of people are looking for hosts. Filling up the [[conversations]] forum prevents the local community from using the forum for legitimate uses.
* ''If you still decide to go ahead'': your post will most likely be [[flagging|flagged]] and then '''deleted'''.

== Step 4: ==

* You now arrive at the [[Couch search page]]. Here you can browse the available [[host]]s, and click through to visit their [[CouchSurfing profile|profiles]].
* This is the most important part of your search. Look through the list of available hosts and decide who you would like to stay with.

* A brown couch (right of the username) symbolises that the member has a [[couch]] available.
* You can use the '''filters''' (bottom left corner) and the '''sort these people by:''' menu (top) to further refine your search.
* Visit the profile of a potential [[host]] and '''read their profile thoroughly'''.



[[File:Surf_results_annotated.png|alt=Couch search results page|Couch search results page]]

== Step 5: Read a profile! ==

== Step 6: Send a Couch Request ==

== Step 7: ==

[[Category:Tips]]
[[Category:Couchsurfing]]