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Invite users to groups using invite links

What are group invite links:

Invite links are an easy way to invite users to groups.

Any end user who clicks on a group invite link will automatically become a member of the group without having to click "Join" (public groups) or "Request to join" (private groups). 

For private groups, the invite links allow the applicant to bypass community manager approval.  End users automatically become group members, once they click on the join link.

 

When to use group invite links:

Invite links are available for public and private groups. You should use invite links if you aim to get as many members as possible to join your groups. We do NOT recommend using invite links for groups containing sensitive information. Invite links should be used for groups that are interests, role or location based (for ex: Amsterdam group, Designers groups).

 

Where get to the invite link:

  1. Go on the Group detail page in Control
  2. Click "Invite members" on the top right
  3. Copy the invite link
  1. You can now share this link with anyone

Important: The link will does not expire. You can't revoke the link. 

This link is not specific to the user. Any user who has access to the link can join the group.  

 

How end users will use that link:

  • If the user is a registered user and is logged in

When clicking on the link they will be added directly to the group. A success message will inform them they are now a member.

Example of Success message
  • If the user is a registered user and is NOT logged in

When clicking on the link they see the pop up indicating that they need to log in to join the group. 

Once logged in, they will be redirected to the group page.  A success message will inform them they are now a member.

Steps when a registered user is not logged in
  • If the user is a not a registered user 

When clicking on the link they see the pop up indicating that they need to log in to join the group. If they are not registered yet, they can create an account.

Steps when a non registered user needs create an account

Your regular registration process applies. The user will go through the regular registration flow. 

For example: If you require registration approval, that process will apply.

Once the registration flow is completed, the end user will be a member of the group. A success message will inform them they are now a member.

The success message will appear when the user returns to community, once their account and or email is approved

 

Side note for private communities:

Your regular registration process applies. The user will go through the regular registration flow. 

For example if you don't allow registration, users will not be able to create an account. Another example, if registration is possible with an unlock code, that code will be needed to create an account.

@marissa.piazza saw this and thought it might be useful to you. 

I don’t have this on my page yet, but look forward to getting it soon! This will be really helpful to drive people to the groups! Would also love the ability to invite through private messages in an automated way.

Hi Marion, 

How is the status on the rollout of this feature? We are eager to start using it for an ongoing project. It would be awesome to start having it even if only in beta. :)

 

Cintia

Hello @katie.fair @csz Thanks a lot for you enthusiasm. Sorry for the late reply. I wanted to make sure the flow of an unregistered user is using an invite link was covered before opening this to you.

Now that is it, I just enabled the feature on your prod environment for you to test it out. 

As this feature is still in beta, any feedback you may have is welcome here :)

@marissa.piazza do let know if it is a feature you would like to also test :)

@Marion Frecaut - this is TERRIFIC news. Would you be able to enable this feature for our account as well please? I’d love to try it out in the beta. 

Invite links are an easy way to invite users to groups.

Any end user who clicks on a group invite link will automatically become a member of the group without having to click "Join" (public groups) or "Request to join" (private groups). 

In the case of private groups, community managers can skip the step to approve members. When using a private group invite link, end users directly become group members without having to be approved. 

 

@Marion Frecaut These two paragraphs kind of contradict each other. For private groups, do they still “request to join” or does it bypass the step to approve members? Or do you have a choice to choose which path the user goes through? 

@Marion Frecaut So excited about this update! :raised_hands: This will make groups easier for community members to adopt.

Are there plans in the future to upgrade the links to be unique to a user and to expire after a certain amount of time? Is there any way in reporting or email analytics to see how successful the link was (the latter there are workarounds for but curious)?

Hello @tiffany.oda thanks for the enthusiasm! I just enabled it for you to test.

To answer your question: For private groups, the invite links allow to bypass the approval by community managers. There is no choice here. All members using invite links automatically become members without approval.

I updated the article to make that clearer so thank you for the feedback :)

@security_lion for the first iteration we decided to make link valid indefinitely or unique to a user. 

We are about to release in beta the email invites which will of course be valid for selected users and expire after 30 days. I will keep you inform once we open the beta, this week very likely.

Right now we don't provide analytics for those two invite methods.

@Marion Frecaut Thank you for the prompt response! :grinning: The capabilities of the upcoming beta might fit our needs. Looking forward to it.

Love the invite link option! Just need some more Groups changes to happen like visibility of a group being Hidden and the ability to organize the Groups page and we’ll be in much better shape!

@Marion Frecaut which roles can invite end users to groups in Control? Can a moderator role do this?

@Scott Baldwin Hidden groups and organising the group overview in section is coming in the next quarter. I'm looking forward to sharing more on this :)

We discussed the moderator role in another topic but I will reply here too for the other interested: Currently only community managers and admins can access the group details pages in Control. So moderators can't send invite emails to users. They can however share invite links, anyone can share links.

Hi @Marion Frecaut,

We will be testing this (very) soon. Thanks for the update :)

Hi there,

We are going to use the invite link soon. There is one thing I can’t figure out. When you are not logged in and you click on the invite link, you see a pop up. I want to adjust a sentence. Is there a way to do it? I've checked at ‘phrases’, but it's not there. Is there a way to do it?

It's the second sentence I want to adjust (it's not correct Dutch)

Thanks!

Ebbe

@Nadia Nicolai could you enable this feature for us?

Yes, all set and done @basharmsen 

PS: please bear in mind that we don't have a way to have this link expire or be reset!

Hello,
so the invite link is currently available in public and private groups.
What about hidden groups? 
 

Hi @Eva - the invite links aren’t currently available for hidden groups.  Those links are designed to maximise membership in an open way, which somewhat runs counter to the principle of hidden groups.  Is it an important use case for you?

Hi @Eva - the invite links aren’t currently available for hidden groups.  Those links are designed to maximise membership in an open way, which somewhat runs counter to the principle of hidden groups.  Is it an important use case for you?

 

I as a user think in this way: it works in group type A and B, why doesn’t it work in group type C? (consistency in user experience).

Also, when inviting users to hidden groups (so they get an email), I first need to find out what is a person’s username in the community, then I add the relevant users to the invite (lots of double checking).
Then, as I have no information like “you have invited the following users/they are pending” I make a screenshot of the invite before sending it as...proof or reference to compare later who accepted already, and after a while (especially after the invite has expired because they had no time or forgot or went on vacation or whatever......), I check again, re-invite them….

BTW: The invite says:  This invite will expire in 30 days. Unsubscribe from invitation emails.
So, if unsers unsubscribe, will they even get invites to hidden groups...? 🤔

Maybe there will be an additional way to invite users to hidden groups? 

Hi @Eva I’m going to send you a PM to explore a workaround with you.

I took screenshots from opening post and I need to know how to change these phrases.

 

Confirmation “banner”:

 

 

Pop up window:

 

Hey @revote - I believe these are the ones you’re looking for:

Forum - group.joined.successfully - You've joined {g}!

Forum - groups.invite.modal_title - Join {g}
Forum - groups.invite.modal_body - You will become a group member automatically after logging in or creating a new account.
Forum - groups.invite.modal_confirm - Log in to join

Hey @revote - I believe these are the ones you’re looking for:

Forum - group.joined.successfully - You've joined {g}!

Forum - groups.invite.modal_title - Join {g}
Forum - groups.invite.modal_body - You will become a group member automatically after logging in or creating a new account.
Forum - groups.invite.modal_confirm - Log in to join

Thanks mate. I´ll test these.

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