Two months ago, John discussed what we perceive to be the four core components of passion-centric web communities: entertainment, sociality, services, and information. While preparing for my Future of Web Applications talk, I compiled a list of other commonalities that thriving communities often exhibit.

• » Site design, copy and user interface that not only reflects the community member’s passion, but actually amplifies it.
• » Clearly stated ground rules that are community-generated and community-approved.
• » Trusted community moderation. A community is a garden and that needs to be tended with sincerity and consistency.
• » Safety and privacy policies are taken very, very (did I say “very”?) seriously.
• » Extensive opt-in/opt-out settings so members have ability to engage and interact with the community in a manner with which they are comfortable.
• » Depth of subject.
• » Excellent customer support and deep community involvement in new feature determination.
• » The entity organizing the community is it’s guardian and caretaker not exploiter.
• » Employees of the community are members too.

Are there other commonalities you see in popular passion-centric communities?