diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 3e0c8688..66fab962 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -7,6 +7,9 @@ YCM to work on my machine" and the reason why is obviously related to your
 machine configuration and the problem would not be resolved with _reasonable_
 changes to the YCM codebase, then the issue is likely to be closed.
 
+**A good place to ask questions is the [ycm-users][] Google group**. Rule of
+thumb: if you're not sure whether your problem is a real bug, ask on the group.
+
 **YCM compiles just fine**; [the build bots say so][build-bots]. If the bots are
 green and YCM doesn't compile on your machine, then _your machine is the root
 cause_. Now read the previous paragraph again.
@@ -25,6 +28,8 @@ Further, **search the issue tracker for similar issues** before creating a new
 one. There's no point in duplication; if an existing issue addresses your
 problem, please comment there instead of creating a duplicate.
 
+You should also **search the archives of the [ycm-users][] mailing list**.
+
 Lastly, **make sure you are running the latest version of YCM**. The issue you
 have encountered may have already been fixed. **Don't forget to recompile
 ycm_core.so too** (usually by just running `install.sh` again).
@@ -80,3 +85,4 @@ Creating good pull requests
     change is known. _What goal are you trying to accomplish?_
 
 [build-bots]: https://travis-ci.org/Valloric/YouCompleteMe
+[ycm-users]: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/ycm-users
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cd526bd1..e6ea221b 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -1270,12 +1270,22 @@ You'll have to learn to ignore them. It's a shitty "solution", I know.
 Use the [delimitMate][] plugin instead. It does the same thing without
 conflicting with YCM.
 
+### Is there some sort of YCM mailing list? I have questions
+
+If you have questions about the plugin or need help, please use the
+[ycm-users][] mailing list, _don't_ create issues on the tracker. The tracker is
+for bug reports and feature requests.
 
 Contact
 -------
 
-If you have questions, bug reports, suggestions, etc. please use the [issue
-tracker][tracker]. The latest version is available at
+If you have questions about the plugin or need help, please use the
+[ycm-users][] mailing list.
+
+If you have bug reports or feature suggestions, please use the [issue
+tracker][tracker].
+
+The latest version of the plugin is available at
 <http://valloric.github.io/YouCompleteMe/>.
 
 The author's homepage is <http://val.markovic.io>.
@@ -1314,3 +1324,4 @@ This software is licensed under the [GPL v3 license][gpl].
 [exuberant-ctags]: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/
 [ctags-format]: http://ctags.sourceforge.net/FORMAT
 [vundle-bug]: https://github.com/gmarik/vundle/issues/48
+[ycm-users]: https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!forum/ycm-users