Is it possible to have different forums (like subreddits)?

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In a discussion titled “Is it possible to have different forums (like subreddits)?”, swentso asks if Discourse supports separate forums per topic, similar to subreddits. omarfilip explains that Discourse uses categories, linking to an example at meta.discourse.org. swentso clarifies they need user-level subscription control, which omarfilip confirms is possible via category following preferences, illustrated with a screenshot. bts adds that user groups can control category visibility and access — useful for membership-based sites. swentso asks if admins can set default categories for new users, to which bts replies affirmatively: admins can set default category tracking states (watching, tracking, muted) or restrict categories to specific groups, allowing fine-grained control over user experience. swentso expresses gratitude, concluding the thread with appreciation for the detailed guidance.

1

Hi ! I just discovered Discourse and I’d like to know if it was possible to have separate forums for different subjects ? Just like subreddits.

Thanks !

2

Discourse has categories, like this:
Categories - Discourse Meta

3

Yeah I saw that, but it’s not an exact fit for my need. Can people actually subscribe to one category or unsubscribe from it ?

4

Yes, you can set how you wish to follow a category, like this:

35%20PM
35%20PM1214×996 92.2 KB

5

You can also set up user “groups” and have categories where visibility / access is determined by group membership. This is useful e.g. for a membership site where you want only members of a certain plan to have access to a given category. I’m sure it could be used in all sorts of other ways as well.

6

Oh ok! Nice. And could the admin set-up default categories ? like everyone starts with only one and users decide what they wanna follow ?

7

Ok ! that’s pretty great. Thank you guys !

8

Yep! Lots of ways you could do it, there are admin settings to set the default for a category (e.g. watching, tracking, muted). Or you could set certain categories’ permissions to a given group so users have to join a group to have access (useful if you wanted the category hidden entirely for non-group members). Really depends on the use case.