- What does it mean to follow a site?
- Who can follow a site?
- How do you add a follow button to a site or page?
- Can staff members follow a site?
- Can people follow a site with an ArcGIS Online account from another organization?
- What is the purpose of a followers group?
- What privileges are required to follow a site?
- Can followers contact each other?
- Can community members follow a private site?
- How is private content shared with followers?
When someone selects a Follow button, they are prompted to sign in with credentials to their existing ArcGIS Online account (with the community organization) or create a new community account (if enabled). Those without an account can select No Account? Create a community account on the sign-up or sign-in prompt. If this option is not available, community account creation is disabled. People with existing community accounts can still follow sites, but new followers cannot sign up. To add a sign-up or sign-in prompt for the community organization, a community administrator can configure community sign-in options.
Layout editors can use the Follow card (requires an ArcGIS Hub Premium license) to add a follow button anywhere on a site or page layout. This button can have optional text to explain what it means to follow the site. You can include a custom call to action and ask visitors to Learn more, Subscribe, or Receive updates.
Yes, members of your employee organization can follow sites using the ArcGIS Online account provided by the primary (employee) organization. They should not use your organization's community accounts. They can follow public sites, as well as sites that have been shared privately with the organization or a specific group.
Yes, An administrator must enable the Allow ArcGIS Online users from other organizations to sign in option in ArcGIS Online for external ArcGIS Online organization members to follow a site with their ArcGIS Online accounts. Learn how to adjust security settings and Policies.
Site editors can enable following by creating a followers group in the site workspace on the Followers pane. When someone follows the site, they are automatically added to the site's followers group. This allows site editors to view a list of their site's followers, add members (followers), and share content with group members for view access within , without having to access the group in ArcGIS Online.
When someone follows a site, they are added to the site's followers group. This group belongs to the ArcGIS Online organization where the site is managed (usually in the primary organization). If the followers group is in the same organization as the viewing user, then they only need the privilege to Join groups. If this group is in another organization, then they (usually people with community accounts) need the privilege to Join external groups. This privilege is included with the default and recommended Publisher role for community members.
Yes, you can ask people to follow your site by adding or inviting them to the followers group.
Note:
To invite someone who doesn't have a community account yet, a community administrator can set up an account for them using their email address. For more information, refer to Add or Invite new community members.
Managers of the followers group can share private content with the followers group which automatically provides access to all followers. You can display multiple items, including events, web maps, and galleries, on a site or page. First, share these items with the followers group.
Tip:
You can also add a menu link to a private item (site, page, app, and so on) on the public site. Only followers signed in with their community account can see and open the menu link or other content shared with them.