Sharing Shelf Items

Sharing shelf items as posts is a great way to let your friends and followers know what you're consuming. You can share items when you add them to your shelf, or create posts about items already on your shelf.

Sharing When Adding Items

When you add an item to your shelf, you can share it as a post at the same time:

1. Add an item to your shelf using any method
2. In the add form, check the "Share as Post" option
3. Optionally customize the post content (or use the default)
4. Set the post's visibility (who can see it)
5. Add the item to your shelf
6. A post is automatically created and shared

The post will include information about the item and link back to your shelf entry.

Default Post Content

When you share a shelf item, default post content is generated based on the item's status:

• Want to: "Want to read/watch/listen to [Item Title]"
• Currently: "Currently reading/watching/listening to [Item Title]"
• Finished: "Just finished reading/watching/listening to [Item Title]"

You can customize this text before sharing, or write your own message entirely.

Sharing Existing Shelf Items

You can also share items that are already on your shelf:

1. Go to an item on your shelf
2. Click on the item to view its details
3. Look for a "Share" or "Create Post" option
4. Write your post content
5. Set visibility and share

Post Visibility

When sharing shelf items as posts, you can set the post's visibility:

• Visible to All: Anyone can see the post
• Visible to Friends: Only your friends can see the post
• Visible to Subscribers: Only people who subscribe to you can see it

Note: Post visibility is separate from shelf item privacy. You can have a private shelf item but share it in a public post, or vice versa.

Discovering Shelf Activity

You can discover what others are consuming in several ways:

• Community Shelf: Visit /shelf to see public shelf activity
• Friends' Activity: See what your friends are watching, reading, and listening to
• Recent Activity: Browse recent diary entries and reviews
• Posts: See shelf items shared as posts in your feed
• User Shelves: Visit individual users' shelves to see their collections

Shelf Integration with Posts

The shelf integrates seamlessly with posts:

• When you mention a book, film, or album in a post, it can be added to your shelf
• Posts that mention shelf items show the item card
• Clicking on item cards in posts can take you to shelf pages
• Shelf items shared as posts appear in your feed

Sharing Best Practices

• Share Meaningfully: Share items you're genuinely excited about or want to discuss
• Add Context: Customize post content to add your thoughts or reasons for sharing
• Don't Over-Share: You don't need to share every item—be selective
• Engage: Respond to comments and discussions about shared items
• Discover: Use others' shared items as recommendations

Privacy Considerations

Remember that sharing shelf items creates posts with their own visibility:

• Post visibility is independent of shelf item privacy
• A private shelf item can be shared in a public post
• A public shelf item can be shared in a friends-only post
• Consider both settings when sharing