If you use Slack, it’s likely you’ve mentioned someone before. Anytime you call attention to your message with @ followed by a name, @channel, or @here, that’s a mention.

While it’s an excellent way to get eyes on your announcements, questions, or anything else you want your coworkers to see—are mentions really always necessary? Read on to learn more about when it’s ideal to use mentions in Slack and when it may not be necessary, technically speaking and etiquette-wise.

How to Effectively Use Mentions in Slack

An important thing to remember is that others receive notifications in Slack each time you mention them. It’s the same if you tag everyone in a channel—you alert all individual members.

Of course, this is dependent on each persons notification settings, but typically, that’s how the feature works. Mentions come in handy when you’re in a channel or group and want to direct a message to an individual member, whose response will benefit those who can see it. For example, you're in a marketing channel, and you want the social media manager to bring everyone up to speed on a campaign.

You can also use them to get the attention of all members of a channel if you have important news, announcements, or questions you want anyone or everyone to answer.

Screenshot of a message in a communication app

Even if individuals mute a channel, the notification will still reach them if they’ve kept mentions turned on in their notification settings. So by tagging them, your coworkers are more likely to see your message. Additionally, it’s an excellent way to show who a question is for—specific people or everyone.

When Mentions Aren’t Useful or Necessary—Technically Speaking

Slack won't send a notification if you mention your coworker in a channel, group, or one-on-one, direct message they’re not a member of—even if it’s a public channel.

Also, if you’re sending a direct message between only you and them, Slack sends a notification anyway, so the mention doesn’t hurt, but it isn’t needed either. Regardless of whether you tag someone, everyone will still see your message in a channel. Those with notifications on will receive one, and those with them off can still see they have unread items.

When Mentions Aren’t Useful or Necessary—Etiquette-Wise

Like any other method of communication, Slack comes with a list of etiquette tips that will help you and your coworkers keep things productive. Using mentions mindfully is on there.

When you mute a channel in Slack, it’s typically to limit the number of notifications you receive that you don’t need to take action on—especially social ones. However, it may be the case that you’ve turned off notifications for work-related channels.

For example, you’re in a marketing channel, and you don’t need to participate in every discussion, but you benefit from being looped in. So you mute the channel and leave mentions on if someone wants your input or everyone's. If someone continually mentions you or the group in messages that don’t require your attention, you’re likely to mute the channel entirely or, frankly, get annoyed with that person.

If it's bad enough, the extra notifications may tempt to leave the Slack workspace entirely, if you have the option. Ultimately, this creates hurdles in communication. That isn’t to say you should never use mentions yourself. However, before you do, you want to ask yourself if those you’re tagging benefit from the notification.

For example, when sending a company announcement, everyone should likely see it, so tagging the channel is ideal. However, you may want to tag individuals when asking a small group within the channel for a progress update, instead of using the @here tag.

Another consideration is to treat Slack like your in-office workspace. If you have a question or feedback that really only concerns one person, a direct message is the way to go.

Screenshot of a message in a communication app

Additionally, since others can still see a channel-wide message if you decide not to mention anyone, you want to ask yourself if you truly need the quick response that comes with a notification or if it can wait.

Don’t Mention It if Your Fellow Slack Users Won't Benefit

Using Slack's mention feature is a great way to get swift replies from coworkers. However, it works better if everyone follows a “less is more” mindset when using it. Because no one wants to receive unnecessary notifications, especially when getting things done.