Direct messages (DMs, private messages) let members talk one-on-one or in group chats outside of spaces. You decide whether members can send direct messages, start group conversations, and @mention each other.
Who can do this: Owners and admins. · Where: Web (admin console, or the homepage's settings sheet). The settings apply on the web and in the Mateflow app. · Plan: Group messaging depends on your platform plan.
Open the Communication settings
Go to Admin → Settings → Communication. The Messaging Features section has three switches: Direct Messaging, Group Messaging, and Allow Mentions. After changing any of them, click Save Changes.
You can also click the gear button next to the feed tabs on your homepage, open Community Settings → Controls, and use the switches under Communication.
Turn direct messages on or off
Turn Direct Messaging ("Allow users to send private messages") on or off, then click Save Changes.
When direct messaging is off:
- The messages page shows "Messaging is disabled" and "Direct messaging has been disabled by the community administrator."
- The message buttons on member profiles, member cards, and event attendee lists are hidden.
- The option to share a post in a message is hidden.
The same applies in the Mateflow app. Members can't open their conversations while direct messaging is off.
Turn group chats on or off
Group Messaging ("Allow users to create group conversations") controls whether members can add more than one person to a conversation. If your platform plan doesn't include group messaging, the switch is locked, both here and under Community Settings → Controls on your homepage.
When group messaging is off, the new-conversation picker only accepts one recipient. Picking another person replaces the first, so members can only start one-on-one conversations.
Group chats in direct messages are different from Chat Spaces, which are spaces where all members share one live room. See Set up a chat space.
Turn @mentions on or off
Allow Mentions lets members @mention each other in posts, comments, and chat. When it's off, typing @ no longer suggests members to mention. Mentions that already exist still appear. Each Chat Space also has its own mention setting.
Change emoji reactions on the same page
The Reactions section on the Communication page controls emoji reactions on posts, comments, and chat messages. Turn off Reactions to leave members with only the default ❤️ Like. Existing reactions are kept. When it's on, choose and order the emojis in the Reaction emoji set. ❤️ is always included, and Q&A spaces always show only the upvote.
How members control who can message them
Each member can limit who sends them direct messages. On the web, they go to Settings → Privacy & Safety and, under Direct Messages, set Who Can Message You to Anyone, People I Follow, or No One. Members can also block someone. See Report content, block, and mute.
Moderate direct messages
Members can report a direct message. The report goes to Admin → Moderation → Reports Queue, where it's listed as a direct message that you open to read. See Review reported content.
Automated moderation rules don't check direct messages or Chat Space messages, so reports are how problem messages reach your team.
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