Groups, forums and rooms

# Mix public and private channels

A private group can have public channels, and a public group can have private channels.

-   Use public channels for announcements or posts aimed outside the group.
-   Use private channels for members-only content.
-   A public channel can have a global handle that people outside the group can follow.

Secret groups can't have public channels. Following a public channel doesn't make someone a group member.

![Channel list of Riverside Garden with the primary Riverside Garden channel, the public Announcements and Volunteering channels and the private Staff discussion channel, each with its subscriber count and auto-subscribe switch.](https://welley.com/assets/media/group-channels-demo-2000.7f6960d0.webp)

A group can mix public and private channels, pick a primary channel and subscribe new members automatically.

![Create channel form with the name Seed exchange and the privacy set to Private.](https://welley.com/assets/media/group-channel-form-demo-1200.d86ac996.webp)

A public group can have private channels. The form is filled in but wasn't submitted.

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