Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? Maybe we have the answers already!
What is Frankly? What problem does it solve?
Many of us feel ignored by elected officials: Frankly changes that.
Frankly is an app that makes it easy and effective for people to share their opinions with Federal elected officials.
It simultaneously makes those messages visible to the public, with the goal of applying pressure for accountability.
Traditional channels like phone calls and emails often get ignored or buried. By making messages public, Frankly amplifies your voices in a more impactful way.
Can’t I just call or email the President, Senators or Representatives directly?
You can call or email Federal elected officials, but good luck.
Rarely are phone calls live-answered in Congressional offices or the Whitehouse.
Emailing any Federal elected official requires navigating through a maze of government websites that are not user friendly and very time consuming.
Your time is better spent using Frankly because it amplifies your voice while making the process of sharing your opinion easy for anyone who uses social media.
How do I send a message to my elected official through the app (or deliver my opinion)?
You type what is on your mind in the app by pressing the paper airplane icon. Then, select to whom you want your message sent. Frankly delivers your message and shares it socially in the app.
Is what I send a Federal elected official public? Who can see it?
Everything you send to an elected official is public. Your message is also shared in a social feed.
Additionally, your name and your Congressional District are always public on your profile page.
Can I see what other people are saying (a social feed)? Can I like, share, or comment on people’s messages?
Yes, Frankly has a social feed where you can Like, Share, Comment on other people’s posts. You can also follow people or re-post what people sent to elected officials.
Do messages go directly to the elected official, or do they get filtered or moderated first?
Yes, your messages go directly to the elected official with no filter or moderation.
Any documented harassment of elected officials forwarded to law enforcement will result in immediate account suspension from the app.
What kinds of issues/topics are supported (local, state, federal)?
You can tell any Federal elected official whatever you think about any issue. You are doing them a service by telling them what is on your mind.
Will politicians respond to me after I send them a message?
Frankly sends your message, name, address, phone number and email to the Federal elected officials you are messaging for them to contact you directly, if they choose do to so.
Your address, phone number and email are not public in the app.
Are there any limitations on who can use the app?
You must be located within the United States to use Frankly. Frankly is not targeted toward children.
Is there a cost to use Frankly? Are there premium features?
There is no cost to send a message to elected officials on Frankly. For now, there are no premium features.
How do politicians get the messages?
Frankly is an approved vendor to deliver messages to Federal elected officials. We deliver messages directly to Federal elected officials through several electronic means. Frankly is not an agency of the United States Government.
Can I select multiple officials at once with the same message?
Yes, you can send a message to multiple elected officials at once, but it is limited to five. Simply select those Federal elected officials when you send your message.
Why does Frankly ask for my address?
Frankly needs your address to identify your Federal elected officials. The elected officials you message will be sent your address, but your address is not displayed to people using Frankly.
How does Frankly handle abusive content?
Every post in Frankly has a reporting function for people to flag abusive content.
Are there limits on how many posts I can make per day/week?
Nope, currently there are no limits on how many posts you can make per day/week.
Can I see analytics on my posts?
Currently, you can see the number of Likes and Shares on your post.
How does the “Most Honest Referral” system work?
You provide Frankly access to a single person in your contacts to refer to Frankly.
A text will be sent from your phone acknowledging your friend as the Most Honest Person you know.
The text will also encourage them to join Frankly via link. When your Most Honest Friend joins Frankly through the link, your friend will receive an “Honest” badge in their profile.
Is Frankly affiliated with any political party or advocacy group?
No, Frankly is not affiliated with any political party or advocacy group. Frankly is a civic-tech tool rather than an advocacy organization. The free debate of ideas among all beliefs is essential to fixing America’s political system.
How does Frankly compare to other civic apps?
Unlike petition-focused apps, Frankly prioritizes direct, personal messaging to officials with a social component. Compared to government run websites, Frankly is infinitely more user-friendly for sharing opinions.
Can I delete my messages or account?
You can delete your account or individual messages from the social feed. However, the messages you sent will remain delivered to Federal elected officials.