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Abstract visualisation of chat channels

Beginner’s Guide for building engaging Chat Channels

Italo Orihuela
Engineer
Android
iOS
Web
Aug 15, 2023

In the dynamic world of app development, where seamless communication is the cornerstone of user engagement, integrating chat messaging capabilities can be a game-changer. The following tutorial will specify the different chat channels that can be quickly and easily built through the use of Amity Chat SDK.

By incorporating the Amity Chat SDK into your app, you can discover a wide range of benefits. Start conversations with a vast audience of up to 300,000 participants, and gain valuable insights with read counts for every message. Enjoy robust moderation tools, from user banning and muting to rate limiting, all managed through a role-based permission system. Keep interactions safe with automated spam filtering and URL whitelists, and ensure seamless connectivity and offline data management.

Embrace multi-device and multi-platform compatibility, enabling dynamic messaging experiences for every user. With support for diverse message types, real-time syncing, and the ability to handle massive concurrent participants. So let’s see what are the type of channels that can be easily and quickly implemented with it!

Structure of Channels and Subchannels

Understanding the architecture of channels and subchannels is fundamental to understanding the potential of Amity Chat SDK. In essence, channels act as the primary containers, housing subchannels that represent distinct chat threads or topics. The beauty of this hierarchical relationship lies in its organizational efficiency, facilitating seamless navigation and management of multiple conversations within a single channel.

Here’s a breakdown of the key differences between channels and subchannels:

Channels

  • Serve as containers for subchannels.
  • Do not contain messages; all messages are stored within subchannels.
  • Enable management of subchannels, including creation, update, deletion, and querying.
  • Facilitate moderation actions at the channel level, ensuring consistent management across subchannels.

Subchannels

  • Host actual conversations and interactions.
  • Constitute subdivisions within a channel, representing individual topics.
  • Store messages and interactions.
  • Provide a dedicated space for specific conversations or threads.

Unveiling Channel Types

Amity’s Chat SDK comes equipped with a range of channel types, each tailored to different use cases. Let’s deep dive into these channel types and their unique functionalities:

Community Channel

The community channel serves as the default channel type, akin to a public chat forum. It showcases the full array of SDK features and is open for discovery by all users and admins. This versatile channel type finds its place in scenarios such as team collaboration, online gaming, celebrity fan clubs, live streaming, and any form of public chat.

Live Channel

Live channels introduce an exclusive membership aspect to the chat experience. While resembling the community channel, live channels can only be discovered by existing members. This type is ideal for one-time live events or specialized interactions where membership brings added value.

Conversation Channel

Designed for intimate conversations, the conversation channel is perfect for one-on-one messaging and private small group chats. Its unique characteristic lies in its user-specific creation — conversations are initiated simply by knowing the user ID. This type is suitable for scenarios like customer support chats, private group discussions, and personalized interactions.

Broadcast Channel

The broadcast channel stands out for its corporate utility, enabling admins to disseminate announcements and promotional content. It offers a read-only mode for non-admin users and serves as a powerful tool for marketing, advertising, and organizational announcements.

Channel Properties: Beyond the Basics

Amity Chat SDK’s channel properties provide a comprehensive toolkit for enhancing user experience and customization. From channel names and tags to member counts and message count, these properties allow developers to shape the chat environment according to their app’s unique needs.

Final Thoughts

Integrating chat messaging into your app has never been easier, thanks to the versatile channel system of Amity Chat SDK. The seamless interplay between channels and subchannels, coupled with a diverse array of channel types, empowers developers to create immersive and engaging communication experiences for their users.

Whether you’re building a community-driven platform, hosting live events, facilitating private conversations, or broadcasting key messages, the channel capabilities provide the foundation for sustainable user interactions.