Open vs Moderated Platforms

When it comes to creating a digital community for your organization, you have a few options to choose from. One of the main choices is between open platforms and moderated platforms. But what's the difference and which one is right for you?

Open platforms, like Facebook or Twitter, allow anyone to join and participate without any prerequisites. They're pretty much open to the public and can reach a wide and diverse audience. But with that level of accessibility comes a challenge: moderation. With so many people participating, it can be hard to keep the conversations on topic and all the content appropriate. But don't worry, there are tools and best practices to help you keep your open platform safe.

On the other hand, moderated platforms are communities controlled by an organization or group of moderators. These communities have rules and guidelines that users must follow to participate. Examples of moderated platforms include gated communities, private forums, and customer support portals. Moderated platforms offer a higher level of control and security, which is great if you want to build deeper relationships with a smaller group of people. But they can be a bit more difficult to scale and more expensive to create and maintain.

So, how do you decide which type of community is right for you? It depends on your goals and objectives. If your goal is to reach a wide and diverse audience, an open platform may be the way to go. But if you want to build deeper relationships and keep conversations on topic, a moderated platform may be the better fit. And don't forget to consider your target audience and the resources you have available.

In the end, it's all about finding the right balance between accessibility, control, and resources. Both open and moderated platforms have their own set of pros and cons, but with the right strategy, you can create a thriving digital community for your organization.