# ArtHelper Community: Understanding Your Connections, Network, and MessagesArtHelper has three ways to interact with other artists: **Following**, **Connecting**, and **Messaging**. Each serves a different purpose. This article explains what each one does, how they relate to each other, and where to find your messages.---## Following vs Connecting — the quick version- **Follow** — One-way. You see their posts in your feed. They don't get notified. You can't message them unless they're also Connected. - **Connect** — Mutual. You both agreed. You can now send each other direct messages. You also see each other's posts.If you want to keep up with someone's work quietly, **Follow** them. If you want to be able to talk to them directly, send a **Connect** request.For a deeper comparison and when to use which, see **[Following other artists vs Connecting — when to use which](https://arthelper.com/help/community/following-vs-connecting)**.---## What is your Network?Your **Network** is everyone you've Connected with — artists who accepted your Connect request, or whose request you accepted. These are mutual relationships.Think of your Network like your contact list. These are the artists you can message directly, and who can message you.### Where to see your Network1. Open the **Community** area from the main navigation. 2. Click **Network** in the top tabs (next to Feed, Trending, Messages).You'll see a grid of profile cards — every artist in your Network. Click any card to visit their profile or start a message.### Networking with artists near you ("coffee-close")One of the most valuable connections you can make is with an artist who lives close enough to actually meet in person — someone who's **"coffee-close."** Local artists become studio-visit partners, plein-air buddies, co-exhibitors at shows and markets, and referral sources for your area.Each artist's profile card shows their **location**, so you can spot who's in or near your town.1. Browse the **Artists** directory (Community → Artists) or the artists you come across in the Feed and communities. 2. Scan the location line on each card for your city or region. 3. Open a promising profile and send a **Connect** request — mention you're local and would love to meet for coffee.A warm, specific note ("I'm also in Asheville — would love to grab a coffee sometime") gets accepted far more often than a blank request.---## How to see and send messagesMessaging on ArtHelper works a little differently than on social media. Here's what you need to know to find your inbox, understand why it might be empty, and start conversations with other artists.### Where your Messages inbox lives**On arthelper.com (desktop and mobile web):**Your Messages live in two places:1. **Inside the Community area** From the ArtHelper home page, click **Community** in the main navigation bar at the top of the page. Then click the **Messages** tab in the row of tabs (Feed, Trending, Network, Messages). You'll see a list of all your conversations. Click any conversation to open it and reply.2. **The message dock** When you're browsing any Community page (Feed, Trending, Network, or Messages), look for the **message dock** — a narrow panel on the right side of your screen (desktop) or a slide-up tray (mobile web). It shows your most recent conversations. Click one to expand it inline, or click "View all messages" to open the full Messages tab.The dock stays visible while you browse Community pages, so you can reply without leaving what you're doing.**In the ArtHelper mobile app:**Open the ArtHelper app and tap the **bell icon** in the top right corner. Your messages appear in the notifications list. Tap a message notification to open the conversation.### Why you might see zero messages (even after connecting with people)If you've Connected with other artists but your Messages inbox is empty, here's what's happening:**Connections unlock the *ability* to message — they don't create a message thread automatically.**When you and another artist become Connected, ArtHelper doesn't start a conversation for you. Either person can send the first message, but until someone does, no thread exists.If your inbox is empty, it means:- No one in your Network has sent you a message yet, **and** - You haven't started a conversation with anyone in your Network yet.To start seeing messages, you'll need to send the first message to someone in your Network (see "How to start a new message" below).### How to start a new message**From a Connected artist's profile:**1. Visit the artist's profile. 2. If you're Connected, you'll see a **Message** button in the profile header near the top of their page. 3. Click it. A message window opens. Type your message and send.If you don't see a **Message** button, you're not Connected yet. You'll need to send a Connect request first (see "How to send a Connect request" below).**From the Messages tab (web):**1. Open **Community** → **Messages**. 2. Click **New Message** (top right). 3. Type the artist's name in the "To:" field. ArtHelper will show matching artists from your Network. 4. Select the artist, type your message, and click **Send**.**From your Network or an existing conversation:**You can also start a message by clicking an artist's profile card in your **Network** tab, or by replying to an existing conversation in the **Messages** tab or message dock.### How to message someone who liked your workIf someone liked one of your images and you want to reach out to them, here's what you need to know:**Likes do NOT automatically create a connection or message thread.**When someone likes your work, they're showing appreciation — but that doesn't mean you can message them yet. To send them a direct message, you must first become Connected.Here's the step-by-step process:1. **Go to the image that was liked.** Open your portfolio or feed and find the image.2. **Tap or click the like count** (the number next to the heart icon below the image). A list of users who liked that image will appear.3. **Tap the user's name or profile picture** to open their profile.4. **Send them a Connect request.** On their profile, click the **Connect** button near the top of the page. Add a personal note (optional but recommended — mention that you appreciated their like). Click **Send Request**.5. **Wait for them to accept.** The artist will get a notification. If they accept your request, you'll both be in each other's Network.6. **Now you can send a message.** Once they've accepted, return to their profile. You'll now see a **Message** button in the profile header. Click it to start your conversation.**Why this matters:** ArtHelper keeps messaging intentional. You can't cold-message someone just because they liked your work. Both artists have to agree to connect first. This helps prevent spam and keeps the community safe.### A note about Instagram Business account connection issuesIf you're trying to connect your Instagram Business account to ArtHelper and running into problems, that's a different feature from messaging other artists. Instagram integration issues are covered in a separate article:**[Connecting your Instagram account to ArtHelper](https://arthelper.com/help/integrations/connect-instagram)**That article walks through authorization steps, troubleshooting, and what to do if your Instagram Business account isn't linking correctly. Messaging other artists on ArtHelper doesn't require Instagram — it only requires a Connection.### Message notificationsWhen someone sends you a message, you'll get:- An **in-app notification** (the bell icon shows a red dot). - An **email** (if you haven't turned off message emails in your notification settings).To adjust message notifications, see **[Adjusting your email and in-app notifications](https://arthelper.com/help/notifications-and-settings/notification-settings)**.---## Direct Messages — how to send and read themYou can send a **direct message** (DM) to any artist in your Network. Messages are private — only you and the other artist can see them.### Where to find your messages on arthelper.com**Your Messages live in two places now:**1. **Inside the Community area** (desktop and mobile web) Open **Community** → click the **Messages** tab at the top. You'll see a list of all your conversations. Click any conversation to open it and reply.2. **On any Community page** (desktop and mobile web) Look for the **message dock** — a narrow panel on the right side of the screen (desktop) or a slide-up tray (mobile). It shows your most recent conversations. Click one to expand it inline, or click "View all messages" to open the full Messages tab.The dock stays visible while you browse Community pages, so you can reply to a message without leaving the feed.### Where to find your messages in the mobile appOpen the ArtHelper app, then tap the **bell icon** in the top right corner. Your messages appear in the notifications list. Tap a message to open the conversation.### How to start a new message**From an artist's profile:**1. Visit the artist's profile. 2. If you're Connected, you'll see a **Message** button in the profile header near the top of their page. 3. Click it. A message window opens. Type and send.If you don't see a **Message** button, you're not Connected yet. You'll need to send a Connect request first (see next section).**From the Messages tab (web):**1. Open **Community** → **Messages**. 2. Click **New Message** (top right). 3. Type the artist's name in the "To:" field. ArtHelper will show matching artists from your Network. 4. Select the artist, type your message, and click **Send**.**From your Network or an existing conversation:**You can also start a message by clicking an artist's profile card in your **Network** tab, or by replying to an existing conversation in the **Messages** tab or message dock.### Message notificationsWhen someone sends you a message, you'll get:- An **in-app notification** (the bell icon shows a red dot). - An **email** (if you haven't turned off message emails in your notification settings).To adjust message notifications, see **[Adjusting your email and in-app notifications](https://arthelper.com/help/notifications-and-settings/notification-settings)**.---## How to send a Connect requestYou can only message artists in your Network. To add someone to your Network, send them a **Connect request**.### Steps to send a Connect request1. Go to the artist's profile (find them via Search, the Artists directory, or a community post). 2. Look for the **Connect** button near the top of their profile page. 3. Click **Connect**. A small window opens where you can add a personal note (optional but recommended). 4. Click **Send Request**.The artist will get a notification. If they accept, you're both in each other's Network and can message each other.### What happens after you send a requestThe **Connect** button changes to **Request Sent**. You can cancel the request by clicking that button again, then **Cancel Request**.If the artist accepts, the button changes to **Connected**, and a **Message** button appears.### What to do when you receive a Connect requestWhen someone sends you a Connect request, you'll see it in your **Notifications** (the bell icon). You have three options:- **Accept** — You're now Connected. You can message each other. - **Ignore** — The request disappears from your list. The other artist won't be notified. - **Block** — The request is rejected, and the artist can't send you another one or see your future posts. Use this for spam or unwanted contact.To review pending requests, open **Notifications** and look for the "Connect requests" section.---## Group messages and community chatsArtHelper does not currently support group messages or multi-person DMs. Messages are always one-on-one.If you want to talk to multiple artists at once, consider:- **Creating a community** (see **[Creating and running your own community](https://arthelper.com/help/community/creating-a-community)**). - **Posting in an existing community** where all the artists you want to reach are members.---## Managing your connections### How to see who you're Connected withOpen **Community** → **Network**. Every artist shown here is in your Network.### How to disconnect from someone1. Visit their profile. 2. Click the **Connected** button (it's where the **Connect** button used to be). 3. Select **Disconnect**.You'll both be removed from each other's Network. Your past messages remain visible to both of you, but you can't send new ones unless you reconnect.### How to block someoneIf an artist is sending you spam, scam messages, or harassing you:1. Visit their profile. 2. Click the **three-dot menu** (top right of their profile card). 3. Select **Block**.Blocked artists can't send you Connect requests, message you, comment on your posts, or see your future activity. For more on recognizing and reporting scams, see **[Spotting and reporting scams, fake profiles, and spam](https://arthelper.com/help/community/spotting-spam-and-scams)**.---## Troubleshooting### I can't find the Message button on someone's profileYou're not Connected yet. Send them a Connect request first. Once they accept, the **Message** button will appear in the profile header.### I sent a Connect request but haven't heard backConnect requests don't expire, but artists may not check their notifications daily. If it's been more than a week and you haven't gotten a response, the artist may have ignored the request (which doesn't send you a notification). You can cancel and re-send if you think they missed it, but don't spam — one request is enough.### The message dock isn't showing on my Community pageThe dock only appears on Community pages (Feed, Trending, Network, Messages) when you're on desktop or mobile web. It doesn't show in the mobile app or on non-Community pages (like your profile or the Promote area). If you're in the right place and still don't see it, try refreshing the page.### My message didn't sendCheck your internet connection. If the connection is fine, try these steps:1. Refresh the page and try again. 2. If refreshing doesn't work, sign out and sign back in. 3. If the message still won't send, contact support from **Settings** → **Help & Support**.---## Related articles- **[Following other artists vs Connecting — when to use which](https://arthelper.com/help/community/following-vs-connecting)** — A deeper comparison of Follow vs Connect and when to use each. - **[Adjusting your email and in-app notifications](https://arthelper.com/help/notifications-and-settings/notification-settings)** — Turn message notifications on or off. - **[Spotting and reporting scams, fake profiles, and spam](https://arthelper.com/help/community/spotting-spam-and-scams)** — How to recognize and report bad actors. - **[Creating and running your own community](https://arthelper.com/help/community/creating-a-community)** — Start a private or public group for artists. - **[Connecting your Instagram account to ArtHelper](https://arthelper.com/help/integrations/connect-instagram)** — Troubleshoot Instagram Business account connection issues.
ArtHelper Community: Understanding Your Connections, Network, and Messages
This guide will help you understand the difference between the various interaction types on ArtHelper and how to manage them.
Written by Shelby