# Sending a message through Categories vs. Groups

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/sending-a-message-through-categories-vs-groups/167744>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [October 20, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/sending-a-message-through-categories-vs-groups/167744 "2020-10-20T14:43:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![keyval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/a183cd/32.png) [@keyval](https://meta.discourse.org/u/keyval)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/sending-a-message-through-categories-vs-groups/167744/1 "2020-10-20T14:43:50Z")

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Hi,

I am looking for clarification on sending a message to our members through the Discourse Forum.

What is the difference between the following:

1. clicking on a category - ie Hospital Paediatrics
2. Sending a message?

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/d/f/df28b180182fa3420ba4ff80e9695db9e7f05a84.png)

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/8/5/85329ba271bb97326d11f16e72f02aaf54572a67.png)

Then,

1. Clicking on Groups
2. Clicking on Hospital Paediatrics
3. Then sending a message?

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/e/3/e3fa40a5b7d244d8d6c17350157aad9294bbb0fe.png)

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/f/4/f48b46e22358f8ebba8d551718a22a0aaeefee70.png)

 ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/meta/original/3X/b/3/b34d9891252d71ee372a952b7d913e602a20a155.png)

Thank you for your assistance, its much appreciated!!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ondrej](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/ondrej/32/198804_2.png) [@ondrej](https://meta.discourse.org/u/ondrej)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2020, 3:48pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/sending-a-message-through-categories-vs-groups/167744/2 "2020-10-20T15:48:24Z")

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Hi @keyval,

1. If you click Hospital Paediatrics then that will lead to to a category. Here you can create a new topic or reply to someone’s post.

2. If you message a group all the members within that group will get a **personal** message instead of a public topic. The notification will show on your profile picture as a green dot.