How to message members, sellers and businesses
Messages on Smith Lake NOW let you ask a seller a question, talk to a neighbor or contact a local business without giving out your email address or phone number. This guide covers where the Message buttons are, what you can send, and how to block or report someone.
Step by step
- Step 1: Sign in. Messaging needs an account with your first and last name on your profile.
- Step 2: Start a conversation from the Message button on a member’s profile, from “Message seller” on a Marketplace listing, from the message icon on a feed post or listing, or from “Message business” on a claimed business page.
- Step 3: Write your message in the box (up to 4,000 characters) and choose the send button.
- Step 4: To attach files, use “Add photos or a PDF” or, on a phone, “Take a photo”. A message holds up to 4 attachments; photos and PDFs can each be up to 10 MB.
- Step 5: Open Messages from the menu to see every conversation. Use the search box to find a person, business or message text, and the filters All, Unread and Businesses.
- Step 6: Replies arrive in the same conversation. Choose “Load earlier messages” to see older ones.
- Step 7: To block someone, open the conversation, choose “Conversation options” and then “Block”. Neither of you can write afterwards, old messages stay readable, and you can unblock from the same menu.
- Step 8: To report someone, choose “Report” in the same menu, pick a reason and send. You can also report one message with its flag button.
- Step 9: You can see and manage everyone you have blocked from the Friends page.
Questions people ask
Does the other person see my email address or phone number?
No. Messages go through Smith Lake NOW. The other person sees your name and profile, never your email or phone.
Can I send a video in a message?
No. Messages carry photos and PDF documents. Videos can go in a post instead.
Why can I not message a business?
Only businesses that have claimed their listing can receive messages. An unclaimed business shows a notice saying so.
Why was my message refused as spam?
Sending the same text to many people in a short time is limited. Write something different to each person and try again.
What do notifications of a message contain?
Notices show who messaged you and where to open it, never the text of your message. You choose which kinds of notices you get in Settings.
Is there a limit on how many messages I can send?
Yes. Messages are limited per minute and per hour, and so are new conversations. If you go too fast you will see a message asking you to wait a minute and try again.
Related guides
Find friends
Search for people around the lake, send friend requests and see your friends in one place.
Notifications
See replies, messages and updates in one place, and choose which ones you want.
Marketplace
Buy, sell and trade boats, gear, furniture and more with neighbors.
Local businesses
Find and contact local businesses, read reviews and see what they offer.
Last updated November 9, 2026. Still stuck? Visit the Help Center or contact us. Back to all of Discover.