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Community Chat

Community Chat lets creators run topic-based conversations with their viewers. You create topics (and group them with categories), set who can access each topic by subscription or one-time purchase, and moderate via flagged messages and reports. Viewers can post messages and replies, react with emojis, mention others with @, attach images and videos, and use 1‑on‑1 direct messages (DMs).

Feature overview and benefits

  • Topics & categories — Create chat topics and group them into categories so viewers can find relevant conversations.
  • Access by tier — Restrict topics by subscription tier, one-time purchase(s), or audience.
  • Rich messages — Text, replies (including replies to replies), emoji reactions, image and video attachments, and @mentions.
  • Moderation — Delete any message (admins), delete your own messages, flag messages, and handle reports in one place.
  • Read-only & attachment-only — Optional read-only topics (only admins post) or attachment-only (no text, only images and reactions).
  • Unread & mentions — Unread state for threads and topics; viewers get notified when @mentioned.
  • 1‑on‑1 DMs — Direct (and optionally group) conversations.
  • Mobile — Chat works in the mobile app.

How it works

  • Topics — Each topic is one thread. You give it a name, description, image, and category. You can make it read-only (only admins post) or attachment-only (no text, only images and reactions).
  • Categories — Groups of topics. Assign a category name when creating or editing a topic; use a new name to create a category. Edit by changing the category on topics; remove by moving or deleting all topics in that category.
  • Message Center — In the creator dashboard, browse live chat by topic, review Flagged messages, and process Reports (ignore or delete).

For creators

Getting started

  1. Enable Community Chat — Complete the setup flow if your dashboard shows it (extension + chat page).
  2. Go to Content → Chat Topics → Create topic to add your first topic.
  3. Use Message Center to view live chat by topic, Flagged messages, and Reports.

Creating topics

When creating or editing a topic you can set:

  • Topic image — Optional icon or thumbnail.
  • Display name — Name of the topic (e.g. “General”, “Q&A”, “Announcements”). Required.
  • Description — Short description of what the topic is for. Optional.
  • Topic category — Pick an existing category or type a new name to create one. Required (often defaulted to e.g. “General”).
  • Read-only — If enabled, only admins can send messages; viewers can read and add reactions.
  • Attachment-only — If enabled, viewers cannot send text; they can only upload images and add reactions.
  • Tags — Optional tags for organization.
  • Publish / access — Who can access the topic (see below).

Managing categories

  • Create a category — When creating or editing a topic, set Topic category to a new name (e.g. “Events”). That name becomes a category.
  • Edit a category — Change the Topic category on each topic that should move or rename.
  • Remove a category — Move all topics to a different category or delete the topics. A category with no topics no longer appears.

Permissions (Publish / Access)

In the topic’s Publish or Access settings:

  • Audiences — Limit which audiences can access the topic (if your channel uses audiences).
  • Subscription tier — Require a specific tier; only members with that tier can see and post.
  • One-time purchases (OTP) — Require one or more OTPs. Create OTPs under Monetization → One-Time Purchases, then attach them to the topic.

Viewers who don’t meet the requirements won’t see the topic or will see an upgrade/purchase prompt.

Moderation tools

ActionWhereWhat you can do
Delete messageMessage Center (live chat view) or chat UIAdmins can delete any message; viewers can delete only their own.
FlaggedMessage Center → FlaggedList of all flagged messages. For each: Ignore (remove flag, keep message) or Delete (remove message).
ReportsMessage Center → ReportsReported messages with reason and reporter. Ignore the report or Delete the message.
Block userMessage Center or user profileIf supported, block users from posting or sending DMs.

Flag vs report: Flag = quick “mark for review” (no reason). Report = includes a reason and reporter so you can prioritize.

FAQ

  • How do I create a new category? — When creating or editing a topic, set Topic category to a name that doesn’t exist yet.
  • Can I reorder topics or categories? — Order depends on your app; check the Chat Topics list or builder for reorder options.
  • Can viewers delete each other’s messages? — No. Only the message author can delete their own, and admins can delete any message.
  • Read-only topic: who can post? — Only channel admins. Viewers can read and add reactions.
  • Attachment-only topic: what can viewers send? — Only images (and possibly video). No text; reactions are still allowed.

Troubleshooting

  • I don’t see Chat Topics in the menu. — Ensure Community Chat is enabled and complete the “Enable Community Chat” setup flow (extension + chat page).
  • Flagged or Reports list is empty but I know something was flagged. — Refresh the Message Center or re-open the Flagged/Reports tab.
  • Viewers say they can’t access a topic. — Check the topic’s access settings (subscription tier, OTPs, audiences). Confirm the viewer has the required subscription or completed purchase.
  • I deleted a message but it still shows for some users. — Ask them to refresh the thread.
  • How do I turn off chat for one topic? — Set the topic to draft or archived (if supported), or delete the topic (permanent).

For viewers

Getting started

  1. Open Community or Chat on the creator’s site or app.
  2. You’ll see topics grouped by category; only topics you have access to (by subscription or purchase) appear.
  3. Open a topic to read and post — unless it’s read-only (only admins post) or attachment-only (only images/video, no text).

Posting messages and replies

  • New message — Use the composer at the bottom; type and send. In attachment-only topics you can only send images/video, not text.
  • Reply — Tap or click Reply on a message. You can reply to a reply for threaded (multi-level) conversations.
  • Edit / delete — You can delete your own messages or replies. Only the author or an admin can delete other messages.

Reactions

  • Tap or click the reaction control (e.g. smiley or “Add reaction”) on a message.
  • Choose an emoji (e.g. thumbs up, heart). Your reaction is added and the count updates.
  • Reactions are visible to everyone in the topic.

@Mentions and notifications

  • Type @ followed by the person’s username (e.g. @jane) to tag them. They get a notification.
  • The app can show unread counts for threads, topics, or “Mentions”. Enable push notifications for @mentions if you want alerts on your device.

Attachments

  • Images — Use the attachment or image button in the composer to pick a photo; it’s added to your message.
  • Videos — If supported, attach a video the same way. Size and format limits may apply.
  • Attachments usually show a preview (thumbnail or player) under the message.

1‑on‑1 messaging (DMs)

  • Start a DM — From a member’s profile or from a message, start a direct message. Creators and viewers can DM each other; depending on the app, viewers may DM other viewers.
  • Group DMs — Some apps support group DMs (multiple people in one private conversation). Look for “New group” or “Add people” in the DM area.
  • Where to find DMs — Look for Messages, DMs, or an inbox icon in Community or Chat. Your DM list shows active conversations and unread counts.

Mobile

  • Chat works on mobile (web and apps) with a layout suited to small screens.
  • Enable push notifications for @mentions and DMs.
  • Attachments: take a photo or choose from your gallery (and sometimes record or attach video). Same rules apply (e.g. attachment-only topics).

FAQ

  • Why can’t I see a topic? — Some topics are limited by subscription tier or one-time purchase. Subscribe or complete the purchase, then refresh or log out and back in.
  • Why can’t I send a message in this topic? — The topic may be read-only (only admins post) or attachment-only (only images/video). Or you may not have access yet.
  • How do I know when someone @mentions me? — You get a notification (in-app and possibly push). Check Mentions or your notifications list.
  • Can I delete a message I didn’t send? — No. Only the author or an admin can. You can report or flag it from the message menu.
  • How do I report or flag a message? — Use Report or Flag on the message (e.g. from a “…” menu). If you report, you may be asked for a reason. Creators review in the Message Center.
  • Do DMs support attachments? — Yes, in most apps. Send images (and sometimes video or files) the same way as in topics.

Troubleshooting

  • I subscribed or purchased but still can’t open the topic. — Refresh the page or log out and back in. Confirm you’re on the correct account and that the subscription or purchase completed. Contact the creator or support if it persists.
  • My message or attachment didn’t send. — Check your connection. If the topic is attachment-only, text won’t send. Try a smaller image or supported format if attachments fail.
  • I was @mentioned but didn’t get a notification. — Check in-app and device notification settings; ensure “Mentions” or “Chat” notifications are on. On web, allow browser notifications for the site.
  • Reactions or replies aren’t showing. — Refresh the thread; on a slow connection, wait a few seconds. If it still doesn’t update, leave the topic and open it again.
  • DM won’t send or conversation is missing. — Check your connection. Confirm the other person hasn’t left the conversation or blocked DMs. Check “Requests” or “Message requests” if the app has that.

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