The Network tab is where you build a trusted network on Gather. You can find people you already know, search for members, send connection requests, and invite people who aren't on Gather yet. You need to be verified to find people from your contacts or send a request.
Finding people you already know
On the Network tab, tap Find people you already know, then Find People. With your permission, Gather compares the phone numbers in your contacts with the numbers of members who have chosen to be found by their contacts. Email addresses aren't used.
If a friend doesn't show up, the number in your contacts may not match a mobile number on their Gather account, or they may not have turned on Findable by contacts (Settings, Profile Settings, Preferences). It's off until they switch it on.
What this means for your privacy:
Your contacts are never shared with other members. We don't keep a copy of the numbers from this check, and names never leave your phone.
Nothing is sent automatically. Finding a match doesn't connect you or tell the other person anything.
You can say Not Now and use the Network tab without giving contacts access, and you can withdraw the permission at any time in your phone's Settings.
Find People works in the app on your phone only. If you look up your contacts many times in an hour, the app asks you to try again later.
Searching for members
On the Network tab, tap Review next to Pending Introductions, then choose Discover. Search by name, typing at least three characters. You'll see up to 20 matches, and companies and job titles aren't searched. Results show a name and, where the member has added them, a role and photo.
Connection requests
On Find People, tick people, then tap Connect. On Discover, tap Connect next to a name. On Suggested Connections, tap Intro. Discover and Intro send the request straight away.
The other person can Accept or Decline, and you can Withdraw a request you've sent. The Requests tab shows what you've sent and received. Pending Introductions shows how many requests are waiting for you, and a dot appears on Requests when there is one. To end a connection, open its menu on the People tab and tap Remove connection. They aren't told.
Inviting people who aren't on Gather yet
On the Network tab, tap Invite someone to join Gather, then Share Referral Link. Your phone's share sheet opens with your link. You choose the app and who receives it, and you send it yourself.
Gather doesn't read your contacts to invite people, doesn't message anyone on your behalf, and doesn't keep a record of who you chose to invite.
Your link carries your referral code, which is ready once you're verified. A friend who joins isn't connected to you automatically. Once they're on Gather, find them in Discover and send a request.