#About view-only channels

Channels are spaces for conversation, discussion and information sharing. By default, all community members with access to a channel can read and send messages.

As a community owner or admin, you can set a channel as view-only. To learn how to do that, check out Set up a view-only channel.

#The basics

• A read-only channel helps maintain clear, uninterrupted communication for specific purposes. While members can't respond directly in these channels, they are crucial in keeping your community informed and engaged.
• When you set up a channel permission, only members who meet the criteria for that permission can perform the associated action within that channel.
• Members with the token required to post in a channel can also view channel messages, irrespective of the tokens specifically required for reading.

#Using a view-only channel

View-only channels can help keep your community organized and focused. Here are some ideas on how you can use view-only channels.

• Community announcements and updates – To keep important announcements or updates clutter-free, use a view-only channel. Only community Owners and admins can write in these channels, ensuring your message is delivered without distractions.
• Information sharing – If there are specific resources or guidelines that members need to access regularly, a view-only channel is a convenient and easy-to-find repository. For example, you can share information that new community members may find helpful.
• Learning communities – In learning communities, view-only channels allow Owners to share exercises and training materials while keeping the conversation focused.
• Voting or pooling areas – Because members with view-only access can still react to messages in view-only channels, Owners can use them for voting on different topics or proposals.