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Anonymous
Apr 12, 2021 8:53 PM UTC
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Hidden category or group?

 

I have a group of like users (by function) where I want them to be able to talk amongst each other in a private area. 

 

Not sure if this is best done with a category which is hidden and accessible only to people in a certain user role OR if that’s better done with a Group.
 


Is​ there an advantage to one approach over another?​​​​​​

DannyPancratz
DannyPancratzAnswer
VIP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Apr 12, 2021 9:01 PM UTC

I’d recommend a hidden category. 

We’re taking a group-first approach (rather than community categories), but because there’s no way to be notified of new applications to a private group, you’d have to check the group regularly or risk them sitting in pending for awhile. 

Also, users need to join a group before they can post there from the Create Topic button in the mega menu navigation, as opposed to being able to post directly to a community category as long as they have permission. 

The only upside of a group is if you want them to see the roster of who else in the group. 

FYI: I am no longer active in this community
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5 replies

DannyPancratz
DannyPancratzAnswer
VIP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Apr 12, 2021 9:01 PM UTC

I’d recommend a hidden category. 

We’re taking a group-first approach (rather than community categories), but because there’s no way to be notified of new applications to a private group, you’d have to check the group regularly or risk them sitting in pending for awhile. 

Also, users need to join a group before they can post there from the Create Topic button in the mega menu navigation, as opposed to being able to post directly to a community category as long as they have permission. 

The only upside of a group is if you want them to see the roster of who else in the group. 

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FYI: I am no longer active in this community
    Kgastaldo
    Kgastaldo
    Helper ⭐️⭐️⭐️
    Apr 13, 2021 12:50 AM UTC

    One downside to a group that you should be aware of is that there aren’t any categories in groups. So you aren’t able to categorize any of the conversations - it’s just one big feed. It might work fine for your needs, but just be aware! 

    We’re currently doing both. I’ve got a private forum with several categories for employee/partner conversations (hidden from customers). 

    We’ve also got groups set up for specific groups of customers. None of our groups have really taken off, honestly. I think it’s because you have to make a point to go there, outside of the main community. 

    But there’s definitely value to both! 

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      Anonymous
      Apr 13, 2021 6:45 PM UTC

      Sounds like categories are the way to go. Thanks @DannyPancratz and @Kgastaldo 

      in your communities do you then manage access to a category via a custom role?

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      Kgastaldo
      Kgastaldo
      Helper ⭐️⭐️⭐️
      Apr 14, 2021 12:37 AM UTC

      Yes, I assign our customers, partners, and employees custom roles. It’s a bit of admin work, but you can add it to your SSO if you have one set up (we only have one set up for employees). 

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        bjoern_schulze
        bjoern_schulze
        Helper ⭐️⭐️⭐️
        Apr 14, 2021 10:11 AM UTC

        For the time being I’m also recommending using categories, but in the long run inSided will (hopefully) improve the group functionality so that at some point in the future everything that revolves around a limited group of users with the same interest (or working on the same project) should be better situated in the groups.

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