Channel types#

Channels are used to organize conversations across different topics. The channels you’re a member of display in the left pane. Learn how to create channels by visiting the create channels documentation.

There are 5 types of channels in Mattermost:

Public channels
Private channels
Direct message channels
Group message channels
Archived channels

Tip

Enterprise customers can additionally configure read-only broadcast channels.

Public channels#

Public channels are open to everyone on a team and are identified with a Globe icon. New team members are automatically added to two public channels when they sign up: Town Square and Off-Topic.

See the Join and leave channels documentation for details on discovering, joining, and leaving other channels.

Private channels#

Private channels are channels for sensitive topics and are only visible to selected team members. Private channels are identified with a Lock icon. Channel members can choose to leave private channels at any time.

Note

Mattermost Enterprise and Professional customers can restrict channel management to system and channel admins.
In a Mattermost Team Edition instance, any member of a private channel can add or remove other members from private channels.

Direct message channels#

Direct message channels are for conversations between 2 people. Only members of the conversation can see direct messages and channel heading information, including the last active status of the other user.

You can start a direct message with people on other teams unless the system admin has disabled your ability to do so.

Direct messages update the numbered badge count and trigger a notification unless the direct message is muted, or your notifications are disabled. See the notification documentation for details on customizing notifications based on your preferences.

Note

From Mattermost v10, when sending a direct message, Mattermost warns you that the recipient’s availability is set to Do Not Disturb, and when the recipient’s local time is outside of regular business hours (between 10PM and 6AM). This warning displays directly above the message text field.
When a Mattermost user is deactivated in the system, your direct message channel with that user are archived and marked as read-only. An Archived icon displays next to archived channels.

Group message channels#

Group message channels are for conversations between 3 to 7 people. Only members of the conversation can see group messages. Group messages always display a new message badge.

Want to have a group conversation with more than 7 people? Create a private channel. Alternatively, from Mattermost v9.1, you can convert group messages to a private channel.

Note

You can start a group message with people on other teams when unless the system admin has disabled your ability to do so.
From Mattermost v9.1, group messages increase the numbered badge count and trigger a notification unless the direct message is muted, or your notifications are disabled. Control how you’re notified about group message conversations by going to Settings > Notifications. See the notification documentation to learn more.
Any group message history you have with a deactivated user remains available unless your system admin disables your ability to do so.

Archived channels#

Archived channels are deactivated public, private, direct message, or group message channels that are no longer used. Archived channels are identified with a File Box icon.

Archiving a channel marks it read-only to prevent new messages from being sent and preserve channel history. You can continue to access archived channels, unless your system admin has disabled your ability to do so.