# Admin/mods custom post metadata

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-mods-custom-post-metadata/369316
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [June 8, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-mods-custom-post-metadata/369316 "2025-06-08T17:54:22Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 2

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### Author: ![satonotdead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/satonotdead/32/447830_2.png) [@satonotdead](https://meta.discourse.org/u/satonotdead)
#### Post date: [June 8, 2025, 6:00pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/admin-mods-custom-post-metadata/369316/2 "2025-06-08T18:00:41Z")

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I think that should help:

> **Whispers in Discourse: Use and Best Practices
AI**
>
> **satonotdead:**
> 
> introduce whispers and their optimal application on Discourse basic workflow
> 
> **DiscourseHelper:**
> 
> ### What are Whispers in Discourse?
> 
> **Whispers** are special posts within a topic or private message that are only visible to staff and any groups you grant whisper permissions to. Regular users cannot see these posts. Whispers are commonly used by staff and moderators to have private, behind-the-scenes discussions directly in public topics or private messages.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### How to Enable and Use Whispers
> 
> **1. Enable Whispers:**
> 
> - Go to your site settings.
> - Search for the setting: `whispers allowed groups`.
> - Add the groups (e.g., staff, moderators) that you want to allow whispering.
> 
> **2. Creating a Whisper:**
> 
> - When composing a post or reply, click the gear icon or reply toggle menu in the post composer.
> - Select “Toggle Whisper”.
> - You’ll see indicators like an eye-slash icon and a “Whisper” button.
> 
> **Note:** Whispers cannot be converted to regular posts (or vice versa) after posting (unless you install an extra theme component). If you need to change a whisper to a normal post, you must delete and re-post it.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Optimal Applications in Basic Workflow
> 
> **Best Use Cases:**
> 
> - **Moderator Discussion:** Use whispers to discuss moderation actions, clarify rules, or coordinate responses on sensitive topics without interrupting the public flow.
> - **Internal Notes:** Add private context about specific users, topics, or actions for other staff to see later.
> - **Coordinated Support:** In support topics, staff can use whispers to share troubleshooting steps, escalate issues privately, or record why a decision was made.
> - **Training:** New moderators can shadow others’ decisions via whispers, getting context without exposing details to regular users.
> 
> **Permissions:**
> 
> - Only allowed groups (as set in `whispers allowed groups`) may create or view whispers. By default, this is usually just staff, but you can add others as needed.
> 
> * * *
> 
> ### Tips
> 
> - Replies to a whisper are also whispers by default, maintaining privacy in staff discussions.
> - Whispers are **not** shown to regular users, and are invisible except to staff and permitted groups.
> - Use whispers for information that needs to remain confidential within your staff group.
> 
> * * *
> 
> #### References
> 
> - [Creating a whisper post](https://meta.discourse.org/t/creating-a-whisper-post/44247)
> - [Whispering in groups containing non staff](https://meta.discourse.org/t/whispering-in-groups-containing-non-staff/81604)
> 
> If you have more specific workflow scenarios, just ask!

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