Notifications Groups vs. Group Chats
This guide explains the difference between Notification Groups and Group Chats in Onespot, so you can decide when to use each feature.
Notification Groups
What they are
Notification Groups are your way of sending the right message to the right people. Right after a new user first joins your app, they’re asked to select which groups they belong to. These choices determine which notifications they’ll receive going forward.
Purpose
To segment users and send targeted notifications.
How it works
- When someone joins a group (or you add them manually), they’re automatically enrolled to get notifications for that group.
- This lets you send targeted announcements without bothering everyone else.
Example
Instead of notifying the entire school about Senior pictures, you can send updates only to families who are registered in the Senior Group.
Where to manage them
You can create, edit, and delete Notification Groups from your Administrative Superpowers ⚡ → Settings → Notification Groups screen.
- Add new groups any time.
- Rearrange the order in which groups appear to users by dragging their right edge.
- Delete groups you no longer need.
Group Chats
What they are
Group Chats let you manage private conversations between multiple parents or staff members.
Purpose
To create private spaces for communication, with the option to add members based on notification group preferences.
How it works
- You can create small, selective chats for unique situations. These chats are private — only invited members (and admins) can see or post in them.
- This makes them perfect for split-household families, leadership teams, or staff working on special projects, while keeping your main community chat clean and uncluttered.
Example
A split-household family can have their own chat — e.g., Swift Family Group Chat — where only the selected parents and admins can communicate.
Where to manage them
You can create, edit, and delete Group Chats from your Administrative Superpowers ⚡ → Content → Group Chat screen.
