# Creating and using invites

**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/creating-and-using-invites/263314
**Category:** Using Discourse
**Tags:** how-to, invites
**Created:** [April 30, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/creating-and-using-invites/263314 "2023-04-30T13:46:19Z")
**Posts on this page:** 1
**Showing post:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Discourse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/discourse/32/148734_2.png) [@Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Discourse)
#### Post date: [April 30, 2023, 1:46pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/creating-and-using-invites/263314/1 "2023-04-30T13:46:19Z")

</div>

> 🔖 This guide explains how to enable and utilize invitations in your Discourse community to enhance user engagement by bringing new members.
> 
> 🙋 Required user level: Trust Level 2 (default) or higher.

Invitations in Discourse allow users to bring new members into the community effortlessly. Here’s how you can create and manage invites effectively.

## Summary

This document covers:

- How to access and use the Invites feature.
- Inviting users directly to topics.
- Viewing the status of your invites.
- Best practices and common issues.

## Accessing the invites feature

By default, users who reach Trust Level 2 can start sending invites.

An invite link is provided directly on the navigation menu.

 ![Screenshot 2024-10-30 at 8.02.01 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/7/5/e/75e3cbc255028255128ea87c6348f3ed8a708b5e.png)

When selected, the invite popup appears. Select Create link to get a link you can copy and share, or select “Edit link options” to access more options including sending the invitation directly by email through Discourse.

 ![Screenshot 2024-10-30 at 8.01.16 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/8/c/0/8c046554440a620b1c83be324702ee439938423e.png)

> 💪 Power tip: You can also add link to the popup directly from anywhere using the `https://yoursite.com/new-invite` URL.

An invites page is provided for each user, where invites can be created and managed. To access the invites page:

1. Open the user menu and select “Invites.”

 ![user menu - invites](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/c/a/6/ca6ea09c22cd1fe1fd676891ae97b04b08f4f53b.png)

1. From here, you can create new invites and view pending ones.

 ![invites page](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/c/5/c/c5cff8db0f82db614c32836f83aeb740330cdcec.png)

## Creating an invite

On the invites page, you have options to:

- Generate a shareable link (default).  

- Send an invite via email. By clicking `Edit Link Options` on the invite popup menu, you can send an invite via email with an optional personal message and the ability to add the invitee to custom groups.  

### Inviting to a topic

Invites can also be created directly from the ‘Share’ button at the bottom of a topic.

 ![topic controls - share](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/a/e/9/ae920ca16e4400410b8bdae15b765e685110e720.png)  
 ![share - invite](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/d/5/8/d588ef7b430017f9057bb87d481409195b359314.png)

This method allows the invitee to arrive at the specified topic upon accepting the invite.

 ![create invite](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/3/5/9/35958287921a012bc901b174c6c749b8e56adb5c.png)

> ℹ Non-staff users can only invite people to a topic if it’s in a public category.

## Invites status and usage tracking

The first time an invite is accepted, the inviter will be recorded on the newly created invitee’s user summary page.

![Invited By](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/9/d/e/9de8106f77571589ce898742d6c8fbabb17c932e.png)

## Rewarding successful invites

Inviting new members can earn you badges and recognition within the community.

 ![invite-related badges](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/4X/1/5/b/15b3e1e743916af6be63b004f129290e4a037bb9.png)

## Best practices

- Personalize your invitation message.
- Use shareable links to simplify the process for multiple invitees.
- Monitor and follow up on pending invites to ensure they are being accepted.

## Common issues and solutions

### Issue: Invite not being received

_Solution:_ Ask the invitee to check their spam or junk folders, and ensure the email address is correct.

### Issue: Invite link expired

_Solution:_ Invite links expire after the number of days configured by the `invite_expiry_days` site setting (default: 90 days). Generate a new invite link or use the email invitation method.

### Issue: Unable to invite to a specific topic

_Solution:_ Ensure the topic is in a public category or check invite permissions settings.  
_Solution:_ When `must approve users` site setting is selected, the “arrive at topic” option is removed.

## FAQs

**Q: Can I revoke a sent invite?**  
A: Yes, go to your invites page and click ‘Revoke’ next to the pending invite.

**Q: What happens if someone shares my invite link?**  
A: By default, a link can be used up to 10 times by different people unless it’s a personal email invite. Admins can adjust this limit via the `invite_link_max_redemptions_limit_users` site setting.

**Q: Can invites add users to specific groups?**  
A: Staff members and group owners can add invitees to groups they manage. More information can be found in the admin guide linked below.

## Additional resources

- [Configuring how users can create and send invites for others to join your community](https://meta.discourse.org/t/configure-how-users-can-create-and-send-invites-for-others-to-join-your-community/124096)

> Last edited by @tobiaseigen 2025-10-16T14:04:56Z
> 
> Last checked by @hugh 2024-06-17T06:29:09Z
> 
> > **Check document**
> >
> > Perform check on document:

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