# Chat vs Messages **URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/chat-vs-messages/336765 **Category:** Support **Tags:** chat **Created:** [November 18, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/chat-vs-messages/336765 "2024-11-18T17:32:45Z") **Posts on this page:** 1 **Showing post:** 3
### Author: ![nathank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/nathank/32/290039_2.png) [@nathank](https://meta.discourse.org/u/nathank) #### Post date: [November 18, 2024, 10:05pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/chat-vs-messages/336765/3 "2024-11-18T22:05:29Z")
> [@martyn\_thomas](#): > > We have turned off ‘Enable public channels based on categories.’ yet the Chat popup defaults to the ‘Channels’ tab rather than DMs - is there a way to hide the Channels tab? Completely agree that this is a problem for sites where Channels are much less important. I’ve reported this as a UX suggestion: > [@Make the default chat view DMs (rather than Channels)](https://meta.discourse.org/t/make-the-default-chat-view-dms-rather-than-channels/326100): > > In the UI, Channels are given the more promoted position. By this I mean: Channels are above DMs in the sidebar Channels are selected in the Chat box when the bubble top right is clicked (even if the user isn’t a member of any, or if it is disabled) This makes sense for instances where Channels are used quite a bit and their use needs to be encouraged. However, my instances tend to only use them occasionally. As a result, this behaviour just adds friction to the activity my users want … --- _[View the full topic](https://meta.discourse.org/t/chat-vs-messages/336765)._