# How do I search my inbox?
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838
**Category:** Support
**Created:** [March 24, 2022, 3:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838 "2022-03-24T03:00:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@waffleslop](https://meta.discourse.org/u/waffleslop)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2022, 3:00am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838/1 "2022-03-24T03:00:43Z")
Excuse me for this very basic question. I have been using Discourse for a private group and it works very well, though my only frustration is with DMs. If I receive a DM, it seems to get lost in my notifications. Frankly, I can’t easily discern what my recent notifications are under the 🔔 after clicking my profile photo.
The Inbox is confusing. I find it difficult to compose a direct message from blank.
I’m sure I’m missing something basic. Can anyone shed light on this for me? I need to review posts and DMs exhaustively and missing one is not ideal.
Thank you!
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### Author:  [@JammyDodger](https://meta.discourse.org/u/JammyDodger)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2022, 7:22am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838/2 "2022-03-24T07:22:08Z")
I use `in:personal` to direct the search to look in my messages if that’s any help?
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### Author:  [@tobiaseigen](https://meta.discourse.org/u/tobiaseigen)
#### Post date: [March 24, 2022, 10:08am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838/3 "2022-03-24T10:08:44Z")
> [@waffleslop](#):
>
> Excuse me for this very basic question.
This is a great question! 🌻
> [@waffleslop](#):
>
> I have been using Discourse for a private group
I personally would recommend that instead of using group inboxes, you create a secure category that only the group can access. Group inboxes are handy if you want to add a support email inbox to your site, but otherwise secure categories will be more feature rich and user friendly.
> [@waffleslop](#):
>
> I’m sure I’m missing something basic.
Is it possible you don’t know how to get to your inbox? One way to get there is to select your user picture/avatar in the top right corner, then click on the messages envelope 📧 to see your recent messages, then click on the messages envelope a second time and you will be in your inbox. You can also go to your own profile page and then select `MESSAGES` from the menu.
Your messages inbox has a big blue button to start a new personal message to anyone (or to a group). You can also start a new personal message to someone by selecting their picture or @ mention in discussions to pop up their user card, which also has a big blue button to start a new message.
The 🔍 search button in top right corner offers up contextual filters. If you are in your messages it will show the `in:personal` you can then select to search just your personal messages.
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### Author:  [@waffleslop](https://meta.discourse.org/u/waffleslop)
#### Post date: [March 25, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838/4 "2022-03-25T16:45:22Z")
Clicking 📧 twice is the thing I was missing. It seems an “Inbox” link in the menu would make sense for those not so familiar with Discourse. Thank you for the help!
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### Author:  [@system](https://meta.discourse.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [April 24, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-search-my-inbox/221838/5 "2022-04-24T16:45:26Z")
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