Who This Is For / When to Use
Use this article if you are:
A community owner or admin
Creating invite-only or restricted channels
Managing exclusive discussions or paid groups
Restricting course access to specific members
What Is a Private Channel
A private channel is a channel that is visible only to members who are explicitly added.
Non-members cannot see or access private channels in the channel list.
How to Create a Private Channel (New Channel)
Open your Community Group.
Click + Add Channel in the left sidebar.
Enter a channel name and optional description.
(Optional) Select an emoji as the channel icon.
Toggle Make this Channel Private.
Click Create Channel.
How to Convert an Existing Channel to Private
Open the channel you want to update.
Click the settings (gear) icon next to the channel name.
Go to the Settings tab.
Click Make Channel Private.
Once converted, the channel is immediately hidden from non-members.
How to Add Members to a Private Channel
Open the private channel.
Click the settings (gear) icon.
Navigate to the Members tab.
Click Add People.
Select the users you want to add.
Only added members can view and participate in the channel.
How to Assign a Channel Manager
Channel managers have admin permissions only for that channel.
Open the channel Members tab.
Find the member.
Click the three-dot menu next to their name.
Select Make Channel Manager.
Private Channel Rules and Permissions
The group owner and channel creator are automatically channel managers.
Group admin roles do not apply inside private channels.
The group owner cannot leave a private channel.
Private channels are not visible to users who are not members.
Restricting Course Access Using Private Channels
Courses can be restricted so that only members of a specific private channel can access them.
How to Restrict a Course to a Private Channel
Go to the group Learning tab.
Edit the course.
Under Course Visibility, select Private Channel.
Choose the private channel from the dropdown.
Click Update Course.
What Happens After Course Restriction
Only members of the selected private channel can access the course.
The course displays a “Private Channel-Based” label.
Non-members cannot view or open the course.
Only group admins or course owners can modify these settings.
Common Issues and Fixes
I can’t see a private channel
You must be added as a member. Private channels are hidden from non-members.
A group admin can’t manage a private channel
Group roles do not apply inside private channels. Assign the user as a channel manager.
Members can see a course but can’t open it
Confirm the member is part of the private channel selected in the course settings.