> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.referly.so/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Messages overview > Chat with your affiliates one-to-one or in groups directly inside Referly. Learn how Messages works: the layout, starting conversations, filters, and the composer. Messages is where you talk directly with the people promoting your product — without leaving Referly and without swapping email threads. You can send a private message to one affiliate, spin up a group chat for a whole segment, share a marketing asset or a performance bonus in the conversation, and see each affiliate's stats right beside the chat. This page is a tour of how Messages is laid out and what you can do here. Each part links to a more detailed guide when you want to go deeper. ## Open Messages In the left sidebar, select **Messages**. The page opens with your list of conversations on the left. If you haven't started any chats yet, you'll see a prompt to begin one. ## How the page is laid out Messages has three parts, side by side: * **The chat list** on the left — every conversation you're part of, with the most recent at the top. Unread chats are marked so you can see at a glance who's waiting on a reply. * **The conversation** in the middle — the messages in the chat you've selected, with the message box at the bottom. * **The details panel** on the right — who you're talking to and, for an affiliate, their performance at a glance: total clicks, referrals, revenue, and commissions. For a group, it shows the members. You can hide or show this panel with the **Toggle details** button at the top of the conversation. ## Start a conversation Select **New chat** at the top of the chat list. You'll choose between two types: * **Direct** — a private one-to-one chat with a single affiliate. Search for them by name or email and select them to open the conversation. Only you and that affiliate can see it. * **Group** — a chat with many affiliates at once, such as your top performers or everyone in a particular region. See [Message groups](/docs/help-center/engage/messages/groups) for how to create and manage these. You can also start a chat straight from your affiliate list. On the [Affiliates](/docs/help-center/manage/affiliates/overview) page, message a single affiliate from their profile, or select several and message them together using [bulk actions](/docs/help-center/manage/affiliates/bulk-actions). ## Find the right conversation As your list of chats grows, two tools help you get to the right one: * **Search** — the **Search chats** box at the top filters your list as you type a name. * **Filters** — the tabs above the list narrow it by type: **All**, **Affiliates**, **DMs**, and **Groups**. Use **Groups** when you only want your group chats, or **DMs** for your one-to-one conversations. ## Send a message Type in the message box at the bottom of a conversation and press send. The toolbar next to the box lets you do more than plain text: * **Attach a file** to send an image or document along with your message. * **Share a marketing asset or a performance bonus** so affiliates can grab a banner, link, or reward without leaving the chat. See [Share assets and bonuses from chat](/docs/help-center/engage/messages/share-assets-and-bonuses). * **Add an emoji** to your message. You can also **reply** to a specific message to keep a thread clear, and **react** to a message with an emoji. ## Where affiliates reply Affiliates read and answer your messages from their [affiliate portal](/docs/help-center/affiliates/portal-overview), in their own **Messages** area. When you send a message, they're notified, and their replies land back in the same conversation here. Some events show up automatically as a note in the chat too — for example when a payout is created or a new marketing asset is uploaded — so the conversation doubles as a light activity feed. ## Group chats and announcements Messages is for back-and-forth conversation. If instead you want to broadcast a one-way update to many affiliates at once — a program change, a new promotion — use [Affiliate announcements](/docs/help-center/engage/announcements/overview), which post inside the affiliate portal. For a two-way group conversation, create a [message group](/docs/help-center/engage/messages/groups). ## Availability Messages is part of Referly's engagement features. Depending on your plan, group chats, file attachments, and full chat history may require the Engagement add-on or a higher plan. See [Add-ons](/docs/help-center/billing/add-ons) for what's included. ## Related Create group chats and keep members in sync with your affiliate groups. Send marketing assets and performance bonuses right inside a conversation. Broadcast one-way updates to affiliates in their portal. Start a chat with any affiliate from your list.