---
title: "Groups explained: public, private and locked"
description: The three kinds of groups and who can see and join each one.
url: "https://truecommunitypro.com/docs/group-privacy/"
updated: "2026-10-09"
category: Groups
---

# Groups explained: public, private and locked

A group is a smaller space inside your community — for a topic, a course cohort, a city or a team. Each group has its own **Discussion** feed and its own **Members** list.

[![The groups directory](https://truecommunitypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/tc-groups.webp)](https://truecommunitypro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/tc-groups.webp)
The groups directory

## The three privacy types

| Type | Who can see posts and members | How people join |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 🌐 **Public** | Every community member | Click **Join** — they are in right away |
| 🔒 **Private** | Only group members | Click **Request to Join** — a group admin approves |
| 🔐 **Locked** | Only group members | By **invitation only** — there is no join button |

**Tip:** Use **Public** for open topics, **Private** for paid or member-only spaces, and **Locked** for hidden teams like staff or moderators.

## The Groups page

Click **Groups** in the left menu. The tabs at the top help you find groups:

| Tab | What you see |
| --- | --- |
| **All** | Every group you can see |
| **Created Groups** | Groups you created |
| **Joined Groups** | Groups you are a member of |
| **Sent Requests** | Private groups you asked to join, still waiting |
| **Received Requests** | Invitations other people sent you |

Use the search box to find a group by name.