Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about The Herder.

Do guests need to create an account?+

No. Guests open the link, type their name, and vote — zero signup, zero app install. Anonymous voting is a core design rule; we never block guests with a paywall or login.

Is The Herder free?+

Yes. The core product — creating events, voting, and sharing links — is free forever for guests, and the free host tier is the default. We only plan to charge for advanced history and export features later, and guests will never see a paywall.

What is the difference between RSVP and a scheduling poll?+

“Set Date” is an RSVP for a fixed date — guests confirm yes, no, or maybe. “Find a Date” is a scheduling poll where you propose multiple dates and guests vote on which work. Choose by whether the date is already locked.

Can guests change their votes after submitting?+

Yes. Anyone who voted can reopen the link and update their answers any time before the host finalizes. Their previous votes are loaded automatically.

Can I recover my votes on another device?+

Yes — if you entered your email when voting. Use the “Recover your votes” link, enter your email, and follow the magic link we send. Your votes and events are restored without an account. Adding an email is optional and never required.

How do I pick the winning date?+

The dashboard shows a live consensus heatmap across all proposed dates. When a clear winner emerges, the host clicks Finalize to lock in the date and confirm the event for everyone.

Can I make my event private?+

Yes. You can gate your event with a PIN. Anyone opening the link without the PIN sees a locked screen, and guests still do not need an account — the PIN is the only gate.

What happens to my data?+

We keep the scheduling data your group creates — dates, votes, and participants — to run the event. We do not sell data. See our Privacy Policy for details.