Over the years we have discovered that about half of our 8,000 users have no clue that private messaging exists. This same bunch don't seem to notice that they can set Notifications.

In these cases, since notifications for private messaging defaults to inactive, users get no notification when other users send them messages.

What this means is: Hundreds of private messages have been sent into the void. Many of those senders may assume that they were snubbed by the intended recipients.

Why not set all private message notifications to active (say, daily digest) by default, and in the mailings provide a link to deactivate or adjust to other delivery method?

Hello Hank,

Actually the private notifications default to on for immediate email notifications. Once a user updates the notification setting than it will no longer default to being on, and instead use their preference.

Chances are most of your users have either turned off the notifications or they are ignoring them (Since private messages likely rarely are sent to the users since they arent using them).

Cheers,

Hi Hank,

The notification will not appear for new users immediately upon registration. Instead, it's a setting that is set "just-in-time" the first time that a user is sent a private message. So, if you went and tried to send those users a private message, I would bet that the private message subscription would appear in their notifications.

I hope that helps

Very helpful. Puts my mind at ease.

Cheers,
Hank