Is there a way to get notified of each new topic added to a particular category that does not include each new post? I read the description for Tracking but it’s unclear if that would notify about a brand new post, also beyond “Hey, there’s a new topic in X!” I don’t want any other notifications to come through. However, if worse comes to worst. I can just create an SOP telling our users to go to each topic and manually turn off notifications if that’s the only option.

You want to watch first post: [image]

I see. I read that description as well. But to me it read as if: When a new topic is posted, you’ll only be notified once it has it’s first post beyond the topic being created. Otherwise, why isn’t it just called ‘Watching for new topics’?

The Default categories watching first post site setting allows admins to set which categories will automatically be set to “Watching First Post” for all new users on your Discourse site. How it works Any category you add to this list will have the “Watching First Post” notification level for new users, by default. After you save, you can choose to apply this change only for new signups, or retroactively for existing users. Users can still change their personal notification settings if they wish. Any user can manually set their category notification preference to Watching First Post (or any other level) by: Navigating to the category they’re interested in. Clicking the bell icon near the top right of the category page (next to the New Topic button). Selecting “Watching First Post” from the dropdown menu. This overrides any site-wide or admin default for that category, applying only to that user’s account.

Thanks, not looking to do this site wide. I set up my ‘support_staff’ group to ‘Watching First Post’ on our ‘Tickets’ sub-category so that when a new topic is created there, they’re all notified so that tickets get taken care of as quickly as possible. Will report back once I test it out.

[image] tknospdr: why isn’t it just called ‘Watching for new topics’ Yeah this occurred to me as well when I was reading our description… the current is: Watching First Post You will be notified of new topics in this category but not replies to the topics. but maybe we could improved with Watch for New Topics You will be notified of new topics in this category. You will also be notified if someone mentions your @name or replies to you. Straying a little off-topic now, but every time I read through the menu I wonder if there's a path we can take for more clarity... We’ve used watching/tracking for a while but it probably doesn’t mean much until you reach a certain familiarity with Discourse. What if we’re try to be more literal… :bell All topics and posts You will be notified of every new topic and post within this category. A count of new posts will be shown for every topic. New topics, mentions & replies You will be notified of new topics in this category. You will also be notified if someone mentions your @name or replies to you. Post counts, mentions & replies A count of new posts will be shown for every topic in this category. You will also be notified if someone mentions your @name or replies to you. Mentions & replies You will be notified if someone mentions your @name or replies to you. Mute You will not receive any notifications from this category, and its topics won’t show up in lists that include content from multiple categories.

Watch First Post, appears to be doing what I need. Thanks.

"Watching" for topics, but not posts?

Product Support

pfaffman (Jay Pfaffman) May 14, 2025, 8:49pm 3

You want to watch first post:

Topic		Replies	Views
Notification behavior with replies Product Support	3	846	November 8, 2019
Set 'Watching First Post' for certain categories, for entire Community Feature	6	1404	November 9, 2016
'Watching' for first messages only Feature notifications	18	6323	November 5, 2015
Actual difference between "tracked" and "watching first post" Product Support	28	10831	December 15, 2018
Is there a way to get an email alert of every new topic post, not limited to a category (ies)? For admins Product Support	3	631	June 10, 2023

"Watching" for topics, but not posts?

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