Core Concepts

Messages, flags, Users, channels, channel types, and engines are the main concepts in the moderation dashboard.

Users are the end-users sending messages on your platform. Messages are sent in Channels. Each message is sent by one user, and in one channel.

Channels come in many different forms. Direct messages, group chats, live-streaming channels, and other forms of chat are supported by Stream Chat, and can be moderated through the AutoMod dashboard.

The structure of a channel follows a template set according to its Channel Type. Channel Types are used in Stream AutoMod to scope moderation policies. In other words, you can have different AutoMod policies apply to each Channel Type supported in your app.

Engines are automated detection systems that help you detect harmful content in real-time. When an engine detects harmful content, it can be configured to take action on that piece of content: Flag, Bounce, Block, etc. These actions happen immediately. You can configure each engine and the action it will take, at the channel type level.

Content that is reported, either by a human (moderators and users) or by an AutoMod engine will have a ‘flag report’ associated with it. Flags are viewable in the moderation dashboard, where you can take further action: banning users, deleting offending content, and issuing warnings.