This article covers notifying people with @mentions, finding conversations, and how managers review Messages — including chats they are not in.
@mentions in channels
In a channel composer, type @ and choose a person or a group shortcut.
A mention notifies that person right away, even if they muted the channel. Other channel messages may wait about a minute, and can group into one “N new messages” alert.
Group shortcuts only notify people who are already in that channel. They do not add anyone new.
| Shortcut | Who is notified (in this channel) |
|---|---|
| @here | Everyone in the channel |
| @managers | Members who are Managers or Billing users |
| @staff | Members with the Staff role |
| @guests | Members with the Guest role |
| @group | Members who belong to the company group you pick |
If the shortcut would notify more than one person, BEHCA asks you to confirm before sending (how many people will be notified).
- Mentions are not available in the composer of an existing direct message (there is only one other person).
- When you start a new DM, you pick the recipient in To (name search) — that is not the same as an in-thread @mention.
- Chat mentions do not send email.
Daily Tracking notes have similar @ shortcuts, but those notify the care team / company roles for a profile note, not a chat channel. In Messages, the same tags stay inside the channel.
The same shortcuts appear when a Manager adds Members to a new or edited channel — there they add people as members, they do not send a message. See Creating and managing channels.
Search and filter
Staff, guests, and self-reporters
The box above your conversation list says Filter conversations…. It narrows your Channels and Direct Messages by title or participant name. It only includes conversations you already belong to.
Managers and Billing users
The box says Search chats and messages…. Your Channels and Direct Messages still narrow by title or participant name. After two characters, Messages results appear in the sidebar above that list, with matches from message text across the company. A result for a conversation you are not in is marked View only.
Manager review (View only)
Managers and Billing users may open any active company conversation — including DMs — without joining as a participant.
When you open a thread this way:
- A banner explains you are Viewing as manager — read only.
- You cannot send, type, archive, or Document from that view.
- Opening it does not mark messages read for the real participants.
View only results stay in that search list in the sidebar. Going straight to the conversation’s web address opens the same read-only view.
A disclaimer in Messages reminds everyone: Managers may review messages, including DMs.
Unread badges
- Conversation list: unread marker on threads with new messages.
- Top navigation: badge on the Messages icon for your total unread count.
Muted conversations reduce ordinary notifications but still appear in your list; @mentions can still alert you.
Common questions
- Can staff search everyone’s DMs? — No. Only Managers and Billing users get company-wide message search and View only access.
- Does View only add me to the chat? — No.
- Why didn’t my @mention email anyone? — Chat mentions never send email; they use in-app / push only.