# Turning every thread that gets traction into a private thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Meta\ **Created:** [January 24, 2026, 3:21pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126 "2026-01-24T15:21:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![everhopeful](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/everhopeful/32/605_2.png) [@everhopeful](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/everhopeful)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 3:21pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/1 "2026-01-24T15:21:25Z")
Are we making all the forum traffic private and invisible by stealth? For instance I see the “new purchases” thread has a shadow counterpart now. ---
**Author:** ![shutterbug](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/shutterbug/32/900_2.png) [@shutterbug](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/shutterbug)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 4:45pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/2 "2026-01-24T16:45:29Z")
> [@everhopeful](#): > > For instance I see the “new purchases” thread has a shadow counterpart now. Yes. Because I don’t like search engines and AI looking at my online discussions. ---
**Author:** ![Mars](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/mars/32/4869_2.png) [@Mars](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 4:50pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/3 "2026-01-24T16:50:34Z")
I think it’s fine if some people feel uncomfortable posting publicly. The public threads still have higher traffic. ---
**Author:** ![Wave](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/wave/32/14465_2.png) [@Wave](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Wave)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/4 "2026-01-24T16:58:47Z")
I think that dumping everything into private categories is becoming ridiculous. If this continues I’m afraid to say that it will jeopardize the continuation of the forum ---
**Author:** ![Wave](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/wave/32/14465_2.png) [@Wave](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Wave)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/5 "2026-01-24T17:06:19Z")
Honestly I can understand that a Selfie thread goes private but I fear that many of us are overdoing things by making everything private ---
**Author:** ![San-Pierre](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/san-pierre/32/8100_2.png) [@San-Pierre](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/San-Pierre)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 8:54pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/6 "2026-01-24T20:54:48Z")
selfie thread should be only the private one all other private threads should be banned IMO ---
**Author:** ![shutterbug](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/shutterbug/32/900_2.png) [@shutterbug](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/shutterbug)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 9:38pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/7 "2026-01-24T21:38:31Z")
> [@San-Pierre](#): > > all other private threads should be banned IMO No problem. I can just create a private community, splinter things. ---
**Author:** ![SzSupportAdmin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/szsupportadmin/32/334_2.png) [@SzSupportAdmin](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/SzSupportAdmin)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/8 "2026-01-24T21:53:03Z")
We will be keeping this forum in some hybrid form of public and private. I dont think we have to go as far as to limit to selfies only. I think the members have spoken. Both in @shutterbug ‘s poll and mine that they prefer to keep this forum a hybrid of the two. So thats the way it will be. This is a free country(countries) @shutterbug . If you choose to make a private community separate from this site, that is up to you. I have no intention of trying to stop you. Not that I could anyway. As a matter of fact , I’ll join it if you want me. But this sites members have made it apparent that the majority want the hybrid of the two. And I think that is a wise choice if we want to grow or even maintain membership. ---
**Author:** ![everhopeful](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/everhopeful/32/605_2.png) [@everhopeful](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/everhopeful)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:13pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/9 "2026-01-24T22:13:43Z")
> [@shutterbug](#): > > No problem. I can just create a private community, splinter things. I say go for it. You tried something like this previously and failed. I’d love to see if you learned anything from your previous attempt at splintering the community (into “high functioning” and non high functioning if I remember correctly). ---
**Author:** ![shutterbug](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/shutterbug/32/900_2.png) [@shutterbug](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/shutterbug)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/10 "2026-01-24T22:35:28Z")
> [@everhopeful](#): > > I say go for it. You tried something like this previously and failed. I’d love to see if you learned anything from your previous attempt at splintering the community (into “high functioning” and non high functioning if I remember correctly). There weren’t enough high functioning to make it work. There are enough people who prefer to post privately. My preference is to have a private option here for those who are inclined. You also forget that at the time the other community was also getting overrun with BP users who didn’t have Sz or SzA and it was frustrating as heck. ---
**Author:** ![everhopeful](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/everhopeful/32/605_2.png) [@everhopeful](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/everhopeful)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/11 "2026-01-24T22:55:48Z")
> [@shutterbug](#): > > My preference is to have a private **option** here for those who are inclined If someone starts a public thread, then we can assume they don’t want it private. You seem to not be giving people that option. If you see a popular thread that someone has created as a public thread you attempt to take it private. Riding roughshod over the thread creator’s preferences. If you or anyone else wants to create a private thread, I’m not going to create a public thread version. It’s arrogant and irksome. I don’t care if a thread starts out as private, it’s when it’s public and basically hijacked into being invisible to the public is an issue. ---
**Author:** ![Hemy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/hemy/32/15415_2.png) [@Hemy](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Hemy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/12 "2026-01-24T23:11:33Z")
For general discussion I don’t mind public threads, but sharing what I bought, pictures of my animals, and maybe one day a selfie, I’d prefer that to be private. From an inclusion standpoint, having an option for private threads is incredibly inclusive and offers accessibility to members who may struggle with social exposure and/or paranoia. ---
**Author:** ![shutterbug](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/shutterbug/32/900_2.png) [@shutterbug](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/shutterbug)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 11:12pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/13 "2026-01-24T23:12:50Z")
> [@everhopeful](#): > > If someone starts a public thread, then we can assume they don’t want it private. You seem to not be giving people that option. You’re ignoring the fact that there is still a public thread they can use if they want. It’s an option. > [@everhopeful](#): > > If you see a popular thread that someone has created as a public thread you attempt to take it private. Riding roughshod over the thread creator’s preferences. Polite disagreement. > [@everhopeful](#): > > I don’t care if a thread starts out as private, it’s when it’s public and basically hijacked into being invisible to the public is an issue. The original thread remains visible. If no one wants to use a visible thread then that tells you where the community wants to go. ---
**Author:** ![FreeLunch](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/freelunch/32/1001_2.png) [@FreeLunch](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/FreeLunch)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2026, 11:58pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/14 "2026-01-24T23:58:08Z")
I think the private threads are important in that there are real reasons why people feel safer with them. I don’t totally understand why there’s an issue with it. ---
**Author:** ![Schizbro](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/schizbro/32/16560_2.png) [@Schizbro](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/Schizbro)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2026, 2:00am UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/15 "2026-01-25T02:00:57Z")
Seems like the main issue is the site has certain rates of attrition and growth. If the site is only private it will limit the growth rate, so the site could die. ---
**Author:** ![SzSupportAdmin](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex012/user_avatar/schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/szsupportadmin/32/334_2.png) [@SzSupportAdmin](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/u/SzSupportAdmin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://schizophreniasupport.discourse.group/t/turning-every-thread-that-gets-traction-into-a-private-thread/2126/16 "2026-02-07T15:26:16Z")