FastComments provides a comprehensive User Profile system that allows your community members to express themselves, connect with others, and build their reputation. User Profiles include customizable avatars and headers, personal bios, social media links, earned badges, privacy controls, direct messaging, and more. Read on to learn how to view, customize, and manage User Profiles in your FastComments community.
Profile Basics 
User Profiles in FastComments provide a dedicated space for each user to showcase their identity, activity, and contributions across your community.
What is a User Profile?
A User Profile is a personalized page for each FastComments user that displays:
- Profile Header - A customizable background image that personalizes the profile
- Avatar - The user's profile picture with online/offline status indicator
- Display Information - Username, display name, and optional country flag
- Bio - A personal description or introduction
- Social Links - Connections to the user's social media profiles and website
- Badges - Earned achievements and recognition
- Statistics - User karma and total comment count
- Communities - Which sites/domains the user is active in
Accessing User Profiles
There are several ways to access a user's profile:
- Click on an avatar - In the comment widget, click any user's avatar to view their profile
- Click on a username - Usernames in comments are clickable links to profiles
- Direct URL - Visit
https://fastcomments.com/auth/user-profile/[userId]
Profile Views
When viewing a profile, you'll see different tabs depending on whether you're viewing your own profile or someone else's:
Your Own Profile
- Notifications - Your notifications and mentions
- Recent Activity - Your comment history across all communities
- Profile Comments - Comments others have left on your profile page
- Direct Messages - Private conversations with other users
Other Users' Profiles
- Recent Activity - Their public comment history (if not set to private)
- Profile Comments - Comments on their profile (if not set to private)
- Direct Messages - Start or continue a private conversation (if they allow DMs)
Online Status
User profiles display real-time online status:
- Green indicator - User is currently online
- No indicator - User is offline
This helps you know when someone is actively using the platform, which is especially useful for direct messaging.
User Types
FastComments supports two types of users with profiles:
- Regular Users - Users who signed up directly with FastComments
- SSO Users - Users who authenticate through your site's Single Sign-On integration
Both user types have access to the full profile system, though SSO users may have some restrictions on editing certain fields (like avatars) depending on your SSO configuration.
Customizing Your Profile
FastComments User Profiles are highly customizable, allowing users to express their personality and build their online presence.
Editing Your Profile
To customize your profile, visit your Account Details page. Here you can modify all aspects of your profile appearance and information.
Profile Avatar
Your avatar is the profile picture that appears next to your comments and on your profile page.
To change your avatar:
- Visit your profile page
- Click the "Edit Avatar" link (visible only on your own profile)
- Upload a new image
Avatar Requirements:
- Recommended size: 200x200 pixels or larger
- Supported formats: JPG, PNG, GIF
- Square images work best
Note: SSO users may have their avatar controlled by their site's SSO system.
Profile Header Background
The header background is a large banner image at the top of your profile that can be customized to reflect your style.
To upload a header background:
- Visit your profile page
- Click the "Upload Header" button
- Select an image from your device
Header Requirements:
- Recommended size: 1200x300 pixels
- Supported formats: JPG, PNG
- Landscape/wide images work best
- Images are automatically resized to fit
If you don't upload a custom header, a default background will be displayed.
Display Name
Your display name is how you appear to other users across FastComments. Unlike usernames (which must be unique), display names:
- Don't need to be unique
- Can contain spaces and special characters
- Can include emojis
To set your display name:
- Go to Account Details
- Enter your preferred display name
- Save changes
Username
Your username is a unique identifier used to log in to FastComments.
- Must be unique across all FastComments users
- Used in your profile URL:
fastcomments.com/auth/user-profile/username - Cannot contain spaces or special characters
Note: SSO users can have non-unique usernames since they're tied to a specific tenant/community.
Bio
Add a personal bio to tell others about yourself, your interests, or what you do.
To add a bio:
- Go to Account Details
- Enter text in the Bio field
- Save changes
Your bio appears prominently on your profile page and helps others understand who you are.
Website URL
Add a link to your personal website, blog, or portfolio.
To add a website:
- Go to Account Details
- Enter your website URL in the Website field
- Save changes
Your website link will be displayed on your profile with a clickable icon.
Social Media Links
Connect your social media profiles to your FastComments profile. Supported platforms include:
- Facebook - Link to your Facebook profile
- Instagram - Link to your Instagram account
- LinkedIn - Link to your LinkedIn profile
- Custom Links - Add any other social media or web profiles
To add social links:
- Go to Account Details
- Enter URLs for your social media accounts
- Save changes
Social links appear on your profile with recognizable platform icons, making it easy for community members to connect with you elsewhere.
Country
You can optionally set your country, which displays a flag icon next to your name.
To set your country:
- Go to Account Details
- Select your country from the dropdown
- Save changes
The country flag appears next to your username on your profile.
Privacy Settings
FastComments gives you granular control over your profile's privacy and who can interact with you. All privacy settings can be managed from your profile page's Privacy Preferences section.
Accessing Privacy Settings
To manage your privacy settings:
- Visit your profile page
- Click on the "Privacy Preferences" tab or section
- Adjust your settings as desired
- Changes are saved automatically
Activity Visibility
Control who can see your comment activity across FastComments communities.
Setting: Make Profile Activity Private
- When disabled (default): Anyone can view your recent comments and activity on your profile
- When enabled: Only you can see your comment history and activity feed
This is useful if you want to participate in discussions but prefer to keep your comment history private from other users.
Profile Comments Visibility
Control whether others can see and leave comments on your profile page.
Setting: Make Profile Comments Private
- When disabled (default): Anyone can view and leave comments on your profile
- When enabled: Profile comments are hidden from others; only you can see comments left on your profile
Use this setting if you want to limit interaction on your profile page while still allowing activity elsewhere.
Direct Messaging
Control whether other users can send you direct messages.
Setting: Disable Direct Messages
- When disabled (default): Other users can send you direct messages
- When enabled: The Direct Message option is hidden from your profile; users cannot initiate conversations with you
This is helpful if you prefer not to receive private messages or want to limit one-on-one conversations.
Profile Comment Approval
Control how comments on your profile are moderated before they appear publicly.
Setting: Profile Comment Approval Mode
You have four options for managing profile comments:
1. Auto Approve All
All comments posted to your profile are immediately visible without requiring approval.
Best for: Users who want an open, unrestricted profile comment section.
2. Auto Approve Trusted (Default)
Comments from trusted users are automatically approved, while comments from new or untrusted users require manual approval.
Best for: Most users - balances openness with protection from spam or unwanted content.
What makes a user "trusted":
- Users with good karma
- Users with established comment history
- Users who haven't been flagged for spam or violations
3. Manual Approve All
All comments require your manual approval before they appear on your profile, regardless of who posted them.
Best for: Users who want complete control over what appears on their profile.
How approval works:
- New comments are held for review
- You receive a notification when someone comments
- You can approve or reject comments via email or from your profile
4. Manual Approve New
Only comments from new or untrusted users require approval. Established community members' comments are auto-approved.
Best for: Users who want to screen new users while allowing established community members to comment freely.
Managing Pending Profile Comments
When comments require approval, you'll receive notifications and can manage them in several ways:
- Via Email: Approve or reject directly from the notification email
- From Your Profile: View pending comments in your Profile Comments tab
- Notification Center: Access pending comments from your notifications
Blocking Users
In addition to profile privacy settings, you can block specific users from interacting with you anywhere on FastComments:
- Blocked users cannot comment on your profile
- Blocked users cannot send you direct messages
- Blocked users' comments are hidden from your view
- You won't see each other's activity
To block a user, visit their profile and click the "Block User" option.
Privacy Best Practices
Here are some recommended privacy configurations for different use cases:
Public Community Member:
- Activity Visibility: Public
- Profile Comments: Public
- Direct Messages: Enabled
- Comment Approval: Auto Approve Trusted
Private User:
- Activity Visibility: Private
- Profile Comments: Private
- Direct Messages: Disabled
- Comment Approval: Manual Approve All
Moderator/Public Figure:
- Activity Visibility: Public
- Profile Comments: Public
- Direct Messages: Enabled (or disabled if overwhelmed)
- Comment Approval: Auto Approve Trusted or Manual Approve New
Badges
Badges are visual achievements that appear on your User Profile, recognizing your contributions and activity across FastComments communities.
What Are Badges?
Badges are earned recognition for various activities such as:
- Number of comments posted
- Upvotes received
- Replies generated
- Moderator actions
- Time as a community member
- Special achievements
Each badge displays on your profile and can optionally appear next to your name in comments.
Viewing Your Badges
Your earned badges appear on your profile page in the header section. There are two categories:
- Earned Badges - Badges you've fully earned and unlocked
- In Progress - Badges you're working toward, with progress bars showing how close you are
Badge Display
You have full control over how badges appear:
On Your Profile: All earned badges are displayed on your profile header for others to see.
On Your Comments: You can choose which badges appear next to your name when you comment:
- Visit your profile page
- Click "Manage Badges" or access the badge management dialog
- Toggle which badges should appear on your comments
- Reorder badges by dragging them to set display priority
This allows you to showcase your most meaningful achievements without cluttering your comment signature.
Badge Types
Badges come in various types based on different achievement categories. For a complete overview of all available badge types and how to earn them, see the Badges Guide.
Common badge categories include:
- Engagement Badges - Based on comment count, replies, and interaction
- Quality Badges - Based on upvotes and community reception
- Time-Based Badges - Veteran status, night owl activity
- Moderator Badges - Recognition for moderation actions
- Special Badges - Manually awarded or community-specific achievements
Community-Specific Badges
Badges can be earned across different FastComments communities:
- Global Badges - Earned across all FastComments usage
- Community Badges - Earned within specific sites/tenants
Your profile shows which community awarded each badge, helping visitors understand your areas of expertise and participation.
Badge Progress Tracking
For badges you haven't fully earned yet, your profile shows:
- Progress Bar - Visual indicator of how close you are to earning the badge
- Requirements - What you need to do to unlock the badge
- Community Context - Which community the badge is associated with
This motivates continued participation and gives you clear goals to work toward.
Customizing Badge Display
Badge Order: You can reorder badges to control which appear first. The order you set determines:
- Priority in the profile display
- Which badges show in limited space situations
- Personal preference for highlighting achievements
Visibility: Toggle individual badges on/off for comment display while keeping them visible on your profile.
Manual Badges
Community administrators can award special manual badges to recognize:
- Special contributions
- Contest winners
- VIP members
- Custom achievements
These badges appear alongside automatically earned badges on your profile.
For More Information
For complete details on the badge system, including all badge types, earning criteria, and administrative configuration, see the comprehensive Badges Guide.
Profile Comments
Profile Comments allow users to leave messages directly on another user's profile page, creating a personal comment wall or guestbook-style interaction.
What Are Profile Comments?
Profile Comments are different from regular article comments:
- They appear on a user's profile page, not on content articles
- They're visible to anyone viewing the profile (unless privacy settings restrict this)
- They're a way to recognize, thank, or communicate with specific users
- They work across all FastComments communities
Leaving a Profile Comment
To comment on someone's profile:
- Visit the user's profile page
- Navigate to the "Profile Comments" tab
- Use the comment box to write your message
- Submit the comment
Note: The profile owner's privacy settings determine whether your comment appears immediately or requires approval.
Viewing Profile Comments
On Your Own Profile:
- Visit your profile page
- Click the "Profile Comments" tab
- See all comments others have left on your profile
On Other Profiles: Profile comments are visible if the user hasn't enabled the "Make Profile Comments Private" setting.
Comment Approval
Depending on the profile owner's settings (see Privacy Settings), comments may:
- Appear Immediately - Auto-approved based on trust level or approval settings
- Require Approval - Held for the profile owner to review
When your comment requires approval:
- You'll see a pending status indicator
- The profile owner receives a notification
- Once approved, the comment becomes visible to others
Managing Profile Comments on Your Profile
If you've configured comment approval (Manual Approve All or Manual Approve New), you can manage incoming comments:
Via Email: You'll receive email notifications with approve/reject links for pending comments. Click the link to take action directly from your email.
From Your Profile:
- Visit your profile's "Profile Comments" tab
- View pending comments
- Approve or reject each comment
From Notifications: Access pending comments from your notification center for quick review.
Responding to Profile Comments
When someone comments on your profile, you can:
- Reply directly to their comment (creates a conversation thread)
- Visit their profile and leave a comment in return
- Send them a direct message (if they allow DMs)
Deleting Profile Comments
On Your Own Profile: You can delete any comment left on your profile:
- Find the comment you want to remove
- Click the delete/remove option
- Confirm deletion
On Other Profiles: You can delete your own comments that you've left on others' profiles, but you cannot delete other people's comments (unless you're the profile owner).
Profile Comment Notifications
You'll receive notifications when:
- Someone leaves a comment on your profile
- Someone replies to a profile comment thread you're part of
- A profile comment you left is approved or responded to
Manage notification preferences in your Account Settings.
Privacy and Profile Comments
Control profile comment visibility with these privacy settings:
Make Profile Comments Private:
- Hides the Profile Comments tab from visitors
- Only you can see comments left on your profile
- Prevents new comments from being posted
Comment Approval Modes:
- Choose who can comment without approval
- Set different approval rules for trusted vs. new users
- Require manual approval for all comments
For more details, see Privacy Settings.
Use Cases for Profile Comments
Profile Comments are great for:
- Thanking helpful community members
- Recognizing valuable contributions
- Building rapport with active participants
- Leaving testimonials or endorsements
- Creating a social guestbook experience
- Community appreciation and recognition
Best Practices
For Leaving Comments:
- Be respectful and constructive
- Add value rather than just generic "nice profile" messages
- Reference specific contributions or interactions when applicable
For Managing Your Profile:
- Set appropriate approval settings based on your comfort level
- Respond to profile comments to encourage community engagement
- Use blocking if someone leaves inappropriate comments repeatedly
For Community Health:
- Profile comments follow the same community guidelines as article comments
- Report inappropriate profile comments if you encounter them
- Moderators can take action on profile comments that violate rules
Direct Messaging
Direct Messaging (DM) allows FastComments users to have private, one-on-one conversations with each other, separate from public comments and profile interactions.
What is Direct Messaging?
Direct Messaging provides:
- Private conversations between two users
- Real-time messaging with notifications
- Conversation history that persists across sessions
- Online status indicators to see when someone is available
- Unread message tracking to stay on top of new messages
Starting a Direct Message
There are several ways to initiate a DM conversation:
From a User Profile:
- Visit the user's profile page
- Click the "Direct Messages" tab or "Send Message" button
- Type your message and send
From a Comment: Some implementations allow clicking on a user's name or avatar to quickly access their profile and messaging options.
Direct Link: If you have a conversation ID or DM redirect link, you can access conversations directly.
Accessing Your Messages
To view all your direct message conversations:
- Visit your profile page
- Click the "Direct Messages" tab
- See a list of all your conversations
Each conversation shows:
- The other participant's avatar and name
- Their online/offline status (green indicator when online)
- A preview of the last message
- Unread message count (if any)
- Timestamp of last activity
Conversation View
When you open a conversation, you'll see:
- Full message history - All messages between you and the other user
- Real-time updates - New messages appear instantly via WebSocket
- Online status - See if the other person is currently online
- Message timestamps - When each message was sent
- Message composition - Text box to type and send new messages
Message Notifications
You'll receive notifications for new direct messages:
- In-app notifications - Badge counter on your profile
- Email notifications - Depending on your notification settings
- Real-time alerts - Instant notifications when you're logged in
Manage notification preferences in your Account Settings.
Privacy and Blocking
Disabling Direct Messages: If you don't want to receive DMs, you can disable them completely:
- Go to Privacy Settings on your profile
- Enable "Disable Direct Messages"
- The DM option will be hidden from your profile
For more details, see Privacy Settings.
Blocking Users: If someone is harassing you via DM:
- Visit their profile
- Block the user
- They will no longer be able to message you
Blocked users cannot:
- Send you direct messages
- See your activity
- Comment on your profile
- Interact with you anywhere on FastComments
Managing Conversations
Hiding Conversations: You can hide conversations you no longer want to see in your conversation list:
- Open your Direct Messages tab
- Find the conversation to hide
- Select the hide/archive option
Hidden conversations won't appear in your main list but can be accessed if the other person sends a new message.
Marking as Read: Messages are automatically marked as read when you view them. You can also manually mark entire conversations as read:
- Open your Direct Messages tab
- Select a conversation
- Choose "Mark as Read"
This clears the unread counter for that conversation.
Best Practices
When to Use Direct Messages:
- Asking follow-up questions privately
- Thanking someone for helpful advice
- Discussing off-topic matters without cluttering public comments
- Coordinating with other community members
- Providing private feedback or suggestions
DM Etiquette:
- Be respectful and professional
- Don't spam users with unsolicited messages
- Respect if someone doesn't respond or disables DMs
- Keep conversations relevant and constructive
- Don't share others' DMs without permission
Safety Tips:
- Don't share personal information (phone, address, etc.) unless you trust the person
- Block and report users who harass or abuse DMs
- Be cautious of suspicious links or requests
- Use the blocking feature if someone makes you uncomfortable
Limitations and Notes
Who Can You Message:
- Any FastComments user who hasn't disabled DMs
- Users who haven't blocked you
- Users across all FastComments communities
Message Content:
- Text messages are supported
- Messages follow the same content policies as comments
- Inappropriate content can be reported
Conversation Scope:
- DM conversations are private between two people
- No group messaging (currently one-on-one only)
- Conversation history is preserved indefinitely
Troubleshooting
Can't Send a Message? The other user may have:
- Disabled direct messages in their privacy settings
- Blocked you
- Deleted their account
Not Receiving Notifications? Check your notification settings at Account Settings to ensure DM notifications are enabled.
Messages Not Sending?
- Check your internet connection
- Refresh the page and try again
- Ensure you haven't been blocked
- Contact support if the problem persists
Activity Feed
The Activity Feed on User Profiles displays a user's comment history, notifications, and community participation across all FastComments-powered sites.
What is the Activity Feed?
The Activity Feed provides a chronological view of:
- Comments posted by the user
- Replies received
- Mentions and interactions
- Activity across different communities
- Real-time updates on user engagement
Viewing Activity
Your Own Activity: When viewing your profile, you'll see additional tabs:
- Notifications - Alerts about replies, mentions, and interactions
- Recent Activity - Your complete comment history across all sites
Other Users' Activity: When viewing someone else's profile:
- Recent Activity - Their public comment history (if not set to private)
The activity tab shows where and when users are participating across the FastComments network.
Notifications Tab
Your Notifications tab displays:
What You'll See:
- Replies to your comments
- Mentions of your username
- Profile comment notifications
- Direct message alerts
- Badge achievements
- Moderation actions on your content
Notification Features:
- Unread counter - Shows how many unread notifications you have
- Real-time updates - New notifications appear instantly via WebSocket
- Clickable items - Click any notification to jump to the relevant comment or conversation
- Read/unread status - Visual indicators for which notifications you've seen
Managing Notifications:
- Notifications are marked as read when you view them
- Configure what types of notifications you receive in Notification Settings
For more details on managing notifications, see the Notifications Guide.
Recent Activity Tab
The Recent Activity tab shows all comments posted by the user across FastComments communities.
What's Displayed:
- Comment content - The full text of each comment
- Context - Which article/page the comment was on
- Timestamp - When the comment was posted
- Community - Which site or domain the comment belongs to
- Engagement - Votes, replies, and interaction metrics
Activity Filtering: On your own profile, you can filter activity to show:
- All Activity - Every comment you've posted
- Replies to Me - Only comments that are replies to your comments
This makes it easy to focus on conversations where you're directly engaged.
Community Participation
The profile also shows which communities the user is active in:
- Community List - Sites/domains where the user has commented
- Activity Distribution - How much the user participates in each community
- Community Links - Clickable links to visit those sites
This helps you understand where a user is most engaged and their areas of interest.
Statistics
User profiles display key statistics:
Karma:
- A reputation score based on upvotes and community reception
- Increases when your comments receive upvotes
- Decreases when comments receive downvotes
- Reflects overall community appreciation of your contributions
Comment Count:
- Total number of comments posted across all communities
- Includes both top-level comments and replies
- Updated in real-time as you participate
These statistics give a quick overview of a user's engagement level and community standing.
Privacy Controls
Users can control activity visibility through privacy settings:
Make Profile Activity Private: When enabled:
- Only you can see your Recent Activity tab
- Others cannot view your comment history on your profile
- Your public comments are still visible in their original context (on articles)
- Only the aggregated activity view on your profile is hidden
For details, see Privacy Settings.
Real-Time Updates
The Activity Feed uses WebSocket technology for real-time updates:
- Instant notifications - New replies and mentions appear immediately
- Live activity updates - Recent comments are added as you post
- Online status - See when conversation partners are active
- No page refresh needed - Everything updates automatically
Activity Across Communities
One of the powerful features of FastComments User Profiles is seeing activity across all communities:
Benefits:
- Discover where users are knowledgeable or active
- Find users with shared interests across different sites
- Build reputation across the entire FastComments network
- See the breadth of community engagement
Examples:
- A user active in tech forums and gaming sites
- Someone who contributes to both news and recipe blogs
- Community members who participate across related topics
Best Practices
For Viewing Activity:
- Check a user's activity to understand their expertise and interests
- Look at community participation to find common ground
- Review karma and comment count for engagement level
For Managing Your Activity:
- Set privacy settings that match your comfort level
- Engage thoughtfully knowing your activity is visible (unless set to private)
- Use filtering to focus on relevant conversations
- Keep track of notifications to stay engaged with your conversations
For Community Building:
- Recognize active participants through their activity feed
- Connect with users who share interests across communities
- Use activity history to identify valuable community members
Troubleshooting
Activity Not Showing:
- Check if the user has enabled "Make Profile Activity Private"
- Ensure you're logged in if required
- Refresh the page if activity seems outdated
Notifications Not Appearing:
- Check notification settings in your account
- Ensure notifications aren't being filtered by your email provider
- Verify WebSocket connection (look for real-time updates)
Wrong Activity Displayed:
- Clear browser cache and refresh
- Log out and back in
- Report any persistent issues to support
User Notes
User Notes allow you to keep private, personal annotations about other FastComments users. These notes are completely private and only visible to you.
What Are User Notes?
User Notes are:
- Private annotations you create about other users
- Visible only to you - the user you're writing about cannot see them
- Persistent - saved and accessible whenever you view that user's profile
- Helpful for remembering context, interactions, or important details about users
Why Use User Notes?
User Notes are useful for:
Moderators:
- Track history of interactions with specific users
- Note warning patterns or behavioral observations
- Remember context for moderation decisions
- Document why certain actions were taken
Community Managers:
- Remember valuable contributors and their expertise
- Note users who might be good candidates for special roles
- Track follow-ups needed with community members
Regular Users:
- Remember how you know someone across different communities
- Note topics you've discussed with specific users
- Keep track of helpful contributors in your areas of interest
- Remember personal details shared in conversations (within appropriate bounds)
Creating a User Note
To add a note about a user:
- Visit the user's profile page
- Look for the "User Note" or "Add Note" section
- Click to create a new note
- Type your note (up to 1000 characters)
- Save the note
The note will be saved and appear whenever you view that user's profile.
Viewing User Notes
Your notes appear when viewing the associated user's profile:
- Location: Typically in a dedicated section on the profile page
- Visibility: Only visible to you when you're logged in
- Context: Appears alongside the user's public information
This makes it easy to remember important context about users you interact with regularly.
Editing User Notes
To update an existing note:
- Visit the user's profile
- Find your existing note
- Click "Edit" or click into the note field
- Make your changes
- Save the updated note
Deleting User Notes
To remove a note:
- Visit the user's profile
- Find your note
- Click "Delete" or the remove option
- Confirm deletion
Once deleted, the note is permanently removed and cannot be recovered.
Character Limit
User Notes are limited to 1000 characters. This encourages:
- Concise, focused notes
- Key points rather than lengthy narratives
- Quick reference information
If you need more space, consider keeping separate documentation outside of FastComments.
Privacy and Security
Complete Privacy:
- Notes are stored with your user ID
- Only you can see notes you've created
- The user you're writing about cannot see your notes
- Other users cannot see your notes
- Site administrators cannot see your personal notes (they're stored separately from moderation logs)
Note on Moderation: User Notes are different from moderation notes or flags:
- Use User Notes for personal reference
- Use moderation reporting tools for violations or issues
- User Notes don't trigger any actions or alerts
Best Practices
What to Include:
- How you met or know the user
- Topics they're knowledgeable about
- Previous helpful interactions
- Context from past conversations
- Areas of expertise or interest
- Reminders for follow-up
What to Avoid:
- Don't use notes to store sensitive personal information
- Avoid inflammatory or inappropriate content even in private notes
- Don't rely on notes for critical information (keep backups elsewhere)
- Remember notes are just for your reference, not official records
Professional Use: For moderators and community managers:
- Keep notes factual and objective
- Include dates for time-sensitive information
- Note patterns rather than isolated incidents
- Use notes to supplement (not replace) official moderation logs
Use Cases
Example 1: Community Manager
"Active in tech discussions. Works as a backend developer. Has offered to help with documentation. Follow up about contributing to wiki."
Example 2: Moderator
"Helpful user but sometimes gets into heated debates. Generally respectful. Responded well to previous reminder about civility."
Example 3: Regular User
"Met in gaming threads. Plays same games I do. Shared helpful tutorial link. Based in UK timezone."
Limitations
What User Notes Don't Do:
- They don't sync across devices (unless you're logged into the same account)
- They don't appear in comments or other contexts, only on profiles
- They don't affect the user's profile or visibility in any way
- They aren't searchable (currently)
- They don't trigger notifications or actions
Storage:
- Notes are stored indefinitely unless you delete them
- Maximum 1000 characters per note
- One note per user (update the existing note rather than creating multiple)
Technical Details
User Notes are:
- Stored in the database with your user ID as the creator
- Associated with the target user's ID
- Encrypted in transit (HTTPS)
- Subject to standard FastComments data retention policies
- Not included in public data exports or API responses
Troubleshooting
Note Not Saving:
- Check that you're logged in
- Ensure the note is under 1000 characters
- Try refreshing the page and adding again
- Check your internet connection
Note Not Appearing:
- Make sure you're logged into the account that created the note
- Refresh the user's profile page
- Clear browser cache if needed
Accidentally Deleted Note: Unfortunately, deleted notes cannot be recovered. Consider keeping backups of important information outside of FastComments.
Styling Profiles
When User Profiles are opened in the context of your site (via the comment widget), any custom CSS styles you've applied to your FastComments widget are automatically injected into the profile modal.
How It Works
When a user clicks on a profile link from your comment widget, a profile modal opens with the class .fast-comments-profile. Your widget's custom CSS is automatically injected into the profile view. If you've already styled your comment widget, those styles will apply to profiles.
CSS Classes
FastComments profiles use a class-based CSS architecture. It does not use CSS custom properties.
The main profile page uses .user-profile as the root container. The header section is .profile-header with .profile-header-background for the background image. Profile content sits in .profile-content.
The avatar uses .profile-avatar and .profile-avatar-wrapper. The user's name is .profile-name and bio text is .profile-bio. Statistics are in .profile-stats with individual stats using .stat.
Social links are in .profile-social-links with individual links as .social-link. Badges use .profile-badges and .badge. Badge progress bars use .progress-outer and .progress-bar.
Tabs use .profile-tabs for the container, .tab for individual tabs, and .tab.active for the selected tab. Tab content uses .tab-body and .tab-body.active. Notification counts on tabs use .tab .count.
Notifications use .notification and DM conversations use .conversation. Online status is .activity-indicator with .activity-indicator.online for the active state. Unread counters use .unread-count.
The profile modal container is .fast-comments-profile with .fast-comments-profile-close for the close button.
Dark Mode
Dark mode uses the .dark class modifier on .user-profile.
.user-profile.dark {
background-color: #181a1b;
color: #fff;
}Examples
Header:
.user-profile .profile-header-background {
background: linear-gradient(to right, #667eea, #764ba2);
}Badges:
.user-profile .badge {
background: #007bff;
color: white;
border-radius: 24px;
}Tabs:
.user-profile .tab.active {
color: #007bff;
border-bottom: 3px solid #007bff;
}Modal:
.fast-comments-profile {
border-radius: 12px 0 0 12px;
}Questions or Feedback?
That's it for User Profiles! If you have any questions about User Profiles, or ideas for new profile features, let us know in the comments below!