@here vs @everyone vs @channel in Slack: Who Gets Notified

In Slack, @here notifies only the channel members who are active right now, @channel notifies every member of the channel you post in, and @everyone notifies the whole workspace and works only in the general channel.

We checked this in our own Slack workspace on October 1, 2026, by typing @ in three places. The general channel offered all three mentions. Every other channel offered only @channel and @here. In a thread reply, Slack marked both as Disabled in threads, and that stayed true with Also send to #social ticked.

Slack @here vs @everyone vs @channel

The descriptions in the second column are copied from the menu in the screenshot above.

@everyone works only in the general channel, the one every member except guests joins automatically. In our workspace it is called #all-slack. Use it for news the whole company needs, such as a policy change or an office emergency.

@channel notifies all members of the channel you post in, whether they are active or away. Use it for a change that affects everyone there today, such as a moved deadline.

@here notifies only members who are active. Use it for a question that needs whoever is around, such as "can someone review this PR in the next 20 minutes?"

What happens if you type @everyone outside the general channel?

Nothing is broadcast. We typed @everyone by hand in #social and sent it. Slack stored it as plain text, the same as any other word. The API copy of the message reads @everyone typed by hand in <#C0B7GGE8Q1Y>, with no mention token in it.

A real broadcast looks different. When we picked @here from the menu in the channel, Slack stored it as <!here> and highlighted it in yellow. The screenshot shows both messages next to each other.

So if your @everyone shows up as plain grey text, it did not notify anyone. Post it in the general channel, or use @channel where you are.

Can you mention everyone in a Slack thread?

No. The @ menu in a thread reply labels @channel and @here as Disabled in threads, and @everyone is not offered at all.

Ticking Also send to #channel does not change this. We picked @channel from the menu in a thread reply with that box ticked. The reply appeared in the channel, but Slack saved the mention as the plain text @channel, not as a broadcast. To reach everyone, start a new message in the channel itself. You can still mention people by name in a thread.

Does @here notify people who are away?

No. @here reaches only members Slack marks as active, the ones with a green dot. Everyone else sees the message as unread when they come back, with no notification.

On a computer the Slack desktop app marks you away about 10 minutes after your last keyboard or mouse input anywhere on the computer (Slack desktop 4.52.178 code, checked 7 Oct 2026). On a phone you are away as soon as you leave the app. So people on a long video call or away from the desk often miss @here. The rules are in how long does Slack stay active and how Slack decides when you are away. If @here pings matter in your team, see how to keep Slack active.

How to turn off the @channel warning, or limit who can use it

Slack shows a confirmation before an @channel, @here or @everyone in channels with six or more members. Workspace owners and admins set how often under Admin, Settings & permissions, Permissions, Messaging. The four choices are Always (default), The first time each day, Once and Never.

On our Free workspace that warning is the only mention setting on the Permissions tab. Slack's help center says owners on paid plans can also limit who may use these mentions, for example to admins only. On Enterprise plans, in channels with 10,000 members or more, only owners and admins can use @channel and @here.

As a member, you cannot block other people's @channel or @here, but you can mute a channel or set its notifications to Nothing. Muting still lets mentions of your own name through. More in Slack notifications not working and Slack Do Not Disturb.

When to use each mention

• • Most of the time, none of them. Mention the one or two people who need to act.
• • @here when you need anyone available in the next few minutes.
• • @channel when every member must see it today, even if they are away.
• • @everyone for news the whole company needs.
• • A user group such as @oncall when the same team must be reached in many channels; see Slack user groups.

A channel reminder can include @channel; see Slack /remind command examples.

FAQ

Why can't I @channel on Slack?

The most common reason is that you are typing in a thread, where Slack disables it. Other reasons: you are a guest, an admin on a paid plan limited it, or it is an Enterprise channel with 10,000 or more members.

Does @channel notify people with Do Not Disturb on?

No. People with paused notifications are not notified. They see the message when they resume.

Does @here work on mobile?

Yes, for people who count as active, which on a phone means the Slack app is open on screen.