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Stories, replies, and messages: what is public on OerSocial
The difference between a public reply, a story reaction, and a direct message—and why that difference matters.
By OerSocial Editorial · August 20, 2026
OerSocial has three speeds of conversation: public posts and replies, stories that disappear, and direct messages. Mixing them up is how people accidentally publish something they meant to keep between two people.
Public posts and replies
A post on a profile is public unless we change that later. A reply is also public. It hangs off the original post. If you would not say it in a room of strangers, do not put it in a reply. There is no "secret reply" mode.
Likes, reposts, and bookmarks are interactions. A bookmark is for you. A repost puts the post in front of people who follow you. Do not repost someone as a joke that humiliates them.
Stories
Stories are short-lived clips or photos in the carousel on Home. They are meant for a moment, not for an archive. You can reply to a story or send a reaction. Treat a story reply more like a message than like a public subtweet, but do not put illegal or sexual content there either. The same community rules apply.
If you do not want a photo around, do not upload it as a regular post. Stories are still stored long enough to be reported.
Direct messages
Messages are private between the people in the thread. We do not show ads on /messages. Crawlers are told not to index that area. Private does not mean unmoderated. If someone sends abuse, malware, or child-sexual content in a message, report it by emailing support@oersocial.com with as much context as you can safely share.
Do not ask strangers in DMs for passwords, codes, or nudes. Do not send those unsolicited.
Notifications
Notifications tell you about follows, replies, and related activity. They are not a public feed. They are also not a place we put ads.
A rule of thumb
If you need the other person to see it and nobody else, use a message. If you are adding to a public conversation, use a reply. If it is a moment that should not live on your profile, use a story. If you are unsure, it is a public post. Write it that way.
Understanding public versus private is part of not creating thin, confusing pages full of accidental overshare. It is also basic respect.
This article is original writing from OerSocial. Ads, when shown, are labeled Advertisement.