Last updated: Jun 2, 2026, 3:27 PM
Learn how to use announcements, messages, and newsfeeds to communicate with your team.
Announcements and Newsfeed are both communication tools, but they serve different purposes.
Announcements are best for delivering important messages or reminders. They are one-way communications sent as Dashboard notifications and may also trigger push or email notifications. Once dismissed on mobile, they cannot be retrieved unless accessed on the web.
Newsfeed posts are more permanent and interactive. They allow employees to comment and react, making them suitable for ongoing updates and shared information that should remain accessible.
Announcements notify staff of important information. You can target announcements to specific individuals or groups so that only selected recipients receive the message. You can create and access announcements from both the web version and the mobile app.
Note: Employees cannot view announcements that were sent before they joined the account.
To create an announcement from the web:
You can track engagement from the Announcements tab. Select the eye icon to view which employees have read the announcement.
To create an announcement from the mobile app:
Access the Announcements page from the web or mobile app to view previously sent announcements.
Users can open announcements from dashboard notifications or directly from the Announcements page.
The Newsfeed feature allows you to create pages and share content with employees. Pages can be used for work-related updates, events, company feedback, manager logs, and more. Employees can react to and comment on posts within newsfeed pages. Pages can be created for all employees or specific groups, depending on the intended audience. For example, you can create a page for a specific location so that only employees assigned to that location can view the content.
Note: Pages must be created using the web version of Sling. After creation, you can post content from both the web and mobile app.
To create a newsfeed page:
Select a page to view posts, activity, and comments. Use the search function to locate specific pages or topics as your list grows.
Business subscriptions include additional options to control who can post on Newsfeed pages.
When creating a page, choose one of the following posting permissions:
Users who can view a page can still comment on posts, even if posting is restricted. You can update these permissions at any time.
In Settings > Company Settings, admins can also disable the Newsfeed feature entirely or prevent employees from creating their own pages.
Free accounts have access to private messaging. Premium and Business accounts can use both private and group messaging.
Note: If you are an employee and do not have access to the Messages tab or to start a conversation, your company’s settings may restrict access.
Business subscriptions include options to control who can post in group conversations.
When creating or editing a conversation, choose one of the following:
You can update these settings at any time.
From the web:
Select the Messages tab, then choose to start a private or group conversation. If you already have conversations, select Start Conversation or use the + icon.
Group conversations: Enter a name and select members. You can include everyone, scheduled users, locations, positions, groups, or individuals. If no name is entered, Sling automatically generates one based on participants. You can update this later.
Business plan admins and managers can choose to send the same message group message as individual private messages by enabling Send a message to each member individually. They can also restrict who can post in the conversation.
Select Create to open the conversation and begin messaging.
Private conversations: Select a user from the list or search by name. The conversation opens immediately after selection.
From the mobile app:
From the web:
From the mobile app:
Use the rich text editor to format both messages and newsfeed posts.
Select formatting options such as bold, italics, strikethrough, links, headings, and quotes. You can also insert GIFs, emojis, attachments, or dividers by typing three dashes (---) on a new line.
Use emoji reactions to respond to messages or acknowledge them.
On the web, hover over a message and select the emoji icon. Select the gray icon with a plus sign to view more options.
On the mobile app, tap and hold a message to open the emoji menu, then select a reaction.
Select an existing reaction to add the same one, or select it again to remove your reaction.
Use the search bar in the Messages tab to find conversations by keywords or titles. Select a result to open the conversation.
You can also search within a specific conversation to locate messages from previous dates.
Note: Archived conversations are not included in search results.
You can edit or delete messages you send within 12 hours of posting.
On the web, hover over a message to access these options.
On the mobile app, tap and hold a message to access options such as edit, reply, mark as unread, copy, or delete.
You can archive conversations that are no longer active but may be needed later.
Note: Group conversations automatically unarchive if new messages are posted. You can mute conversations to stop notifications.
To archive a conversation on the web, open a conversation, select the 3-dot option, and select Archive. Confirm to complete the action. To unarchive, open the archived section, select the conversation, and select Unarchive.
On the mobile app, open a conversation, select the 3-dot option, and select Archive. To unarchive, access Archived Conversations, open the conversation, and select Unarchive.
Admins and managers can permanently delete group conversations.
Note: Deleted conversations cannot be recovered.
On the web, open a conversation, select the 3-dot option, and select Delete. Confirm the action to remove it.
On the mobile app, open a conversation, select the 3-dot option, and select Delete, then confirm.
Note: Private conversations cannot be deleted, but they can be archived or muted.
You can export conversations from the web version to download a copy for your records.
To export a conversation:
Note: Export is only available on the web version.