How do I watch a topic or category? What is the difference between watching and tracking?

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When you comment or reply to someone's topic or post, you are automatically set to "Watch" that topic. This means that, when someone else adds a reply, you will be notified. 

These notifications can be sent to your email or just kept within the Online Community.

You can also decide to receive these same notifications on a topic you haven't commented on. Or even entire category.

Instructions

How to watch a topic 

If you would like to watch a topic, follow the below instructions: 

1. Start by clicking on the topic name 

2. Look for the bell icon on the right side of the screen 

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3. Click the bell icon and you’ll see a small menu appear

4. Select "Watching" (keep scrolling down for an explanation of the difference between watching and tracking)

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What is the difference between watching and tracking?

• Watching - Anytime someone replies to this topic, you will get a notification. You will also see a count of the replies on the category home screen. 

• Tracking - You will be notified as normal if someone replies to you. You will also see a count of how many replies there have been on the category home page. 

• Normal - You will be notified as normal if someone replies to you. This is the default. 

• Muted - You will not be notified about this topic, even if someone mentions you. And it will not appear in your list of the Latest topics. 

How to watch a category 

Watching a category is basically the same as watching a topic. But instead of just being notified when someone replies within a topic, you are notified whenever someone adds a new topic or reply to that category.

To watch a category, please follow the below instructions: 

1. Click on to the category itself

2. Find the bell icon on the right side of the screen (just next to the "new topic” button) 

3. Then click the bell icon

4. Select the "Watching" option (keep scrolling for an explanation of the different options)

As with watching a topic, you have a number of options here beyond just watching. These options are:  

• Watching (red arrow) - Anytime someone adds a new topic or reply, you will get a notification. You will also see a count of the replies on the category home screen. 

• Tracking (blue arrow) - You will be notified as normal if someone replies to you in any topic in this category. You will also see a count of how many replies there have been on the category home page. 

• Watching first post (green arrow) - You will be notified whenever someone adds a new topic to this category. You will not be notified when someone adds a reply. 

• Normal - You will be notified as normal if someone replies to you. This is the default. 

• Muted (orange arrow) - You will not be notified about this topic, even if someone mentions you. And it will not appear in your list of the Latest topics. 

How do I see which categories I am watching?

You can see all the categories you are watching from your user preferences. To view this, please follow the below instructions: 

1. Click on your User in the top right of the screen 

2. Click on the little person icon (blue circle) 

3. Select Preferences (red box) 

4. Your user profile will now appear 

5. Click Tracking from the top menu 

6. If you scroll down, you will now see a list of categories that you are watching, tracking, or have muted.