How to join and create groups on Smith Lake NOW
Groups bring together neighbors who share a cove, a boat club, a hobby or an interest. Public groups are open to read, while private groups keep their posts, photos and members to members only. This guide explains how to find a group, join it, start your own and post inside it.
Step by step
- Step 1: Sign in and open Groups from the menu. Your profile needs your name and lake area first.
- Step 2: Browse “Your groups” and “Find a group”, or search by name or topic and choose “Search”. Invitations you have received appear at the top.
- Step 3: Open a group and join it. On a public group choose “Join group” and you are in. On a private group choose “Ask to join”, add an optional note to the admins and choose “Send request”.
- Step 4: To start your own, choose “Create a group”, enter a name of 3 to 80 characters, say what the group is for, and choose Public or Private.
- Step 5: Choose “Create group”. You become the owner and can add rules, moderators and settings.
- Step 6: Post inside a group from its page. A group post can have up to 4 photos. Some groups require admin approval for posts.
- Step 7: Owners and admins can invite members from the group page, review join requests and manage members from “Manage group”.
- Step 8: To leave a group, choose “Leave group” on its page and confirm. A group owner cannot leave and must archive the group instead.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between a public and a private group?
Anyone can read a public group and join it immediately. Anyone can find a private group, but only members see its posts, photos and members, and you must ask to join.
How many groups can I create?
Group creation is limited to prevent spam. If you try to create many in a short time you will be asked to take a break and try again.
Can I leave a group I own?
No. An owner cannot leave. Archive the group instead. Deleting your account is also blocked while you own a group with other members.
Why was my group post not shown right away?
Some groups require an admin to approve posts, or limit posting to moderators. The group’s rules and settings say which.
Who can invite people to a group?
Members who are allowed to invite can use the Invite button on the group page, which searches members by name.
Related guides
Find friends
Search for people around the lake, send friend requests and see your friends in one place.
Post to the Live Feed
Share news, photos and questions with neighbors and visitors around Smith Lake.
Private messages
Message a member or a seller directly, with photos, without sharing your email address.
Your profile
Add a photo and an About, and choose what other members can see.
Last updated November 9, 2026. Still stuck? Visit the Help Center or contact us. Back to all of Discover.