Shelf Privacy Settings

Privacy settings on your shelf give you complete control over who can see your cultural consumption. You can set different privacy levels for different items, allowing you to share some things publicly while keeping others private.

Privacy Levels

Setting Privacy When Adding Items

When you add an item to your shelf, you can set its privacy level:

1. Fill in the item details (title, status, etc.)
2. Find the "Privacy" dropdown or setting
3. Select your desired privacy level
4. Save the item

The default privacy setting is usually "Visible to All," but you can change it to whatever you prefer.

Changing Privacy Later

You can change an item's privacy setting at any time:

1. Go to your shelf and find the item
2. Click on the item to view its details
3. Click "Edit" to open the edit form
4. Change the privacy dropdown to your desired level
5. Save your changes

The change takes effect immediately, and the item's visibility will update accordingly.

Privacy and Different Content Types

Some content types have specific privacy considerations:

Games

Games are typically set to "Visible to Subscribers" by default, as they're often more personal. You can still make them public or private if you prefer.

Reviews

If you write a review, the review's visibility follows the item's privacy setting. If an item is private, the review is also private.

Favorites/Top Lists

Favorites lists have their own visibility settings separate from individual shelf items. You can have a public favorites list even if some items in it are private.

Privacy Best Practices

• Mix and Match: You don't have to use the same privacy level for everything. Some items can be public while others are private.
• Start Private: If you're unsure, start with "Visible to Self" and make items public later when you're comfortable.
• Review Regularly: Periodically review your shelf privacy settings to ensure they match your current preferences.
• Consider Content: Some content might be more personal—consider keeping it private or subscriber-only.
• Public for Discovery: Making items public helps others discover new content and can lead to great conversations.

What Others See

Understanding what others can see helps you make informed privacy decisions:

• Public Items: Visible on your shelf, in community feeds, and can be discovered through search
• Subscriber-Only Items: Only visible to people who subscribe to you (your friends)
• Private Items: Completely invisible to everyone except you
• Counts: Public counts (like "5 books") may include private items in your personal count, but others won't see the private items themselves