Summary: Speakap offers four group types to organize collaboration, social interests, or project teams. This guide breaks down the privacy settings, content visibility, and joining conditions for Public, Restricted, Private, and Secret groups so you can pick the right fit for your company's needs.
Quick comparison
The table below shows how visibility and access control differ across the four group types.
| Group type | Can non-members see the group? | Who can view group content? | Who can post and participate? | How do new members join? |
| Public | Yes | Everyone | Everyone | Self-enroll via the Join button |
| Restricted | Yes | Everyone | Members only | Anyone can request; admin must approve or invite |
| Private | Yes | Members only | Members only | Anyone can request; admin must approve or invite |
| Secret | No | Members only | Members only | Admin invitation only |
1. Public groups
A Public group is completely open and accessible to everyone in the organization. This setup encourages spontaneous communication and unrestricted access to shared resources.
- Best used for: Organization-wide announcements, social clubs, company events, and general discussion forums where cross-departmental collaboration is encouraged.
- Content visibility: Anyone in the network can view posts, comments, files, and media, whether or not they have officially joined the group.
- Joining method: Users can join instantly at any time by clicking the Join button.
2. Restricted groups
Restricted groups provide a controlled environment for conversations that need some structural privacy or moderation while staying discoverable.
- Best used for: Departmental updates or specialized committees where non-members should stay informed but content creation needs to be regulated.
- Content visibility: Anyone in the network can browse and read the timeline content, but only active members can post or comment.
- Joining method: Non-members can submit a request to join, which a Group Administrator must review and approve. Admins can also send direct invitations.
3. Private groups
A Private group offers a secure, confidential environment for focused team work, keeping day-to-day activity shielded from the rest of the network.
- Best used for: Specific location work groups, active project teams, (regional) manager groups, or functional departments exchanging operational data.
- Content visibility: Only confirmed members can see or engage with the timeline updates, media, and attachments. The group name and details do remain visible to non-members in the general group directory.
- Joining method: Non-members can find the group name and submit a request to join, which requires Group Administrator approval. Alternatively, admins can invite users directly.
4. Secret groups
Secret groups provide the highest level of privacy and security on the platform. They are completely invisible to anyone who has not been explicitly added to the group.
- Best used for: Management boards, highly sensitive corporate projects, legal discussions, or HR restructuring planning where absolute discretion is required.
- Content visibility: Only confirmed members can access the timeline, resources, or communication channels. For non-members, the group does not appear in search results or directory listings.
- Joining method: There is no public request option. New members can only join if a Group Administrator sends them a direct, private invitation.
Still stuck?
Email us at support@speakap.com with your network name and the group setup you have in mind, and we'll help you out.