Channels
Overview
Build structured chat experiences with sophisticated channel management and member governance
Transform Communication Into Connection: Create organized chat experiences that scale from intimate 1-on-1 conversations to large community discussions. Our comprehensive conversation management system provides everything you need to build structured, moderated, and engaging chat experiences with sophisticated governance controls.
Core Capabilities
Channel Management
Complete channel lifecycle with sophisticated governance and moderation controls
Member Management
Advanced member operations with role-based permissions and sophisticated workflows
Message Organization
Structured messaging with real-time sync and comprehensive moderation tools
Administrative Controls
Powerful moderation, analytics, and automated governance systems
Simplified Yet Powerful: Each channel now contains exactly one subchannel, creating a clean 1:1 architecture that simplifies development while maintaining all the powerful features you need for sophisticated chat experiences.
Channel Architecture
Channels in social.plus Chat are sophisticated communication structures that support complex governance models, flexible membership rules, and comprehensive message management. Each channel operates as a self-contained conversation space with its own rules, roles, and organizational structure.Core Components
Simplified Architecture
- Each channel contains exactly one subchannel
- Clean 1:1 relationship for easier development
- All messages stored within the single subchannel
- Streamlined moderation and management
- Unique channel and subchannel identifiers
- Rich metadata and custom field support
- Avatar and branding customization
Channel Types & Access Models
social.plus Chat supports various channel configurations to match different communication needs and governance requirements:Community Channels
Public Access: Discoverable and joinable by anyoneModerated Access: Public discovery with approval-based joiningFull Features: Complete @mention support, moderation tools, and console visibility
Private Channels
Restricted Discovery: Only members and admins can discoverControlled Access: Invitation-only with administrative oversightProtected Content: Content visible only to joined members
Conversation Channels
Direct Messaging: Private 1-on-1 and small group conversations up to 10 membersLimited Moderation: No traditional moderation tools, member-only visibility
Channel Type Comparison
Understanding the capabilities and restrictions of each channel type is essential for choosing the right approach for your use case.| Feature | Community | Private Community | Live | Conversation | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discoverable by | All users | Members & admins | Members & admins | Members only | All users |
| Message privileges | Joined members | Joined members | Joined members | Joined members | Admins only |
| Moderation access | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Member Size | Medium | Medium | Huge | Small | Huge |
| Creation method | SDK, Console | SDK, Console | SDK, Console | SDK only | SDK, Console |
| Realtime events | Automatic | Automatic | Subscription | Automatic | Subscription |
| @Mention Support | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ✅ Full | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| Console Visibility | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Choosing the Right Type: Start with Community channels for public discussions, use Conversation channels for direct messaging, and implement Broadcast channels for announcements. Private and Live channels offer specialized access controls for specific use cases.
Complete Channel Data Structure
Understanding the complete channel object structure is essential for effective implementation. Channels are highly configurable with comprehensive properties controlling every aspect of communication and governance.Core Properties
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
channelId | String | Unique identifier for the channel |
defaultSubchannelId | String | ID of the single subchannel (1:1 relationship) |
userId | String | ID of the user who created the channel |
displayName | String | Channel name for displaying |
isDistinct | Boolean | Whether the channel enforces unique member combinations |
Access & Visibility Controls
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
type | AmityChannelType | Channel type (Community, Live, Conversation, Broadcast) |
isPublic | Boolean | Public/private status for community channels |
isMuted | Boolean | Channel mute status for the current user |
tags | Array<String> | Tags for search and categorization |
Content & Moderation
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
isRateLimited | Boolean | Whether rate limiting is enabled |
rateLimit | Integer | Maximum messages allowed within rate limit period |
metadata | JsonObject | Custom fields for extended functionality |
avatarFileId | String | ID of the channel’s avatar image |
Analytics & Status
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
memberCount | Integer | Total number of channel members |
messageCount | Integer | Total number of messages in the channel |
unreadCount | Integer | Number of unread messages for current user |
lastActivity | DateTime | Timestamp of last channel activity |
createdAt | DateTime | Channel creation timestamp |
updatedAt | DateTime | Last modification timestamp |
Channel objects are Live Objects that support real-time updates. You can observe changes to channel properties automatically. See Live Objects & Collections for implementation details.
Simplified Architecture: Notice how
defaultSubchannelId represents the single subchannel created with each channel. This 1:1 relationship simplifies development while maintaining all the powerful messaging capabilities you need.Best Practices
Start Simple, Scale Smart: Begin with basic channel features and gradually add governance complexity as your communication needs evolve and grow.
Channel Design
Channel Design
Planning & Purpose
- Clear Communication Goals: Define channel purpose and target audience before creation
- Appropriate Channel Type: Choose community/live/conversation type based on use case
- Governance Planning: Establish moderation policies and member management early
- Growth Strategy: Plan for discovery, onboarding, and member engagement
- Start with essential features and expand gradually based on user needs
- Consider your audience’s communication patterns and preferences
- Plan for scalability from day one with proper architecture
- Design intuitive flows for joining, participating, and moderating
Technical Implementation
Technical Implementation
Architecture & Development
- Data Modeling: Understand the complete channel structure before building features
- Permission Architecture: Implement proper role-based access controls from the start
- User Experience: Design seamless flows for messaging, joining, and administration
- Performance Optimization: Plan for efficient querying, caching, and real-time updates
- Implement comprehensive error handling for all channel operations
- Use proper data validation for channel properties and member actions
- Design mobile-first chat experiences with responsive interfaces
- Leverage live objects for real-time updates and state synchronization
Channel Management
Channel Management
Operational Excellence
- Active Moderation: Implement consistent content oversight and member management
- Clear Guidelines: Establish and communicate channel rules and member expectations
- Member Engagement: Foster participation through features, events, and recognition
- Continuous Improvement: Monitor analytics and iterate on channel functionality
- Establish clear moderation workflows and escalation procedures
- Create effective onboarding experiences for new channel members
- Implement feedback systems to understand member satisfaction and needs
- Regular review of channel health metrics and engagement KPIs
Growth & Scaling
Growth & Scaling
Sustainable Growth
- Focus on quality engagement over quantity in early growth phases
- Implement invitation and referral systems for organic channel growth
- Use data-driven approaches to optimize discovery and recommendation features
- Create incentives for active participation and valuable contributions
- Plan moderation resources and automation as channels grow
- Implement performance monitoring for large-scale channel operations
- Consider channel organization strategies for complex communication needs
- Monitor infrastructure performance as message volume increases
Next Steps
Ready to start building? Choose your implementation path:Create Your First Channel
Step-by-step channel creation guide
Implement Member Management
Build member joining and governance
Set Up Moderation
Configure roles, permissions, and safety
Need Help? Our conversation management system supports sophisticated governance with simplified 1:1 channel-subchannel architecture. Start with the Quick Start Guide and gradually explore advanced features as your communication needs grow.