ArtHelper Community: Understanding Your Connections, Network, and Messages

ArtHelper Community: Understanding Your Connections, Network, and Messages

ArtHelper has three ways to interact with other artists: Following, Connecting, and Messaging. Each serves a different purpose. This article explains what each one does, how they relate to each other, and where to find your messages.

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Following vs Connecting — the quick version

• Follow — One-way. You see their posts in your feed. They don’t get notified. You can’t message them unless they’re also Connected.
• Connect — Mutual. You both agreed. You can now send each other direct messages. You also see each other’s posts.

If you want to keep up with someone’s work quietly, Follow them. If you want to be able to talk to them directly, send a Connect request.

For a deeper comparison and when to use which, see Following other artists vs Connecting — when to use which.

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What is your Network?

Your Network is everyone you’ve Connected with — artists who accepted your Connect request, or whose request you accepted. These are mutual relationships.

Think of your Network like your contact list. These are the artists you can message directly, and who can message you.

Where to see your Network

1. Open the Community area from the main navigation.
2. Click Network in the top tabs (next to Feed, Trending, Messages).

You’ll see a grid of profile cards — every artist in your Network. Click any card to visit their profile or start a message.

Networking with artists near you (“coffee-close”)

One of the most valuable connections you can make is with an artist who lives close enough to actually meet in person — someone who’s “coffee-close.” Local artists become studio-visit partners, plein-air buddies, co-exhibitors at shows and markets, and referral sources for your area.

Each artist’s profile card shows their location, so you can spot who’s in or near your town.

1. Browse the Artists directory (Community → Artists) or the artists you come across in the Feed and communities.
2. Scan the location line on each card for your city or region.
3. Open a promising profile and send a Connect request — mention you’re local and would love to meet for coffee.

A warm, specific note (“I’m also in Asheville — would love to grab a coffee sometime”) gets accepted far more often than a blank request.

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How to see and send messages

Messaging on ArtHelper works a little differently than on social media. Here’s what you need to know to find your inbox, understand why it might be empty, and start conversations with other artists.

Where your Messages inbox lives

On arthelper.com (desktop and mobile web):

Your Messages live in two places:

1. Inside the Community area
   From the ArtHelper home page, click Community in the main navigation bar at the top of the page. Then click the Messages tab in the row of tabs (Feed, Trending, Network, Messages).
   You’ll see a list of all your conversations. Click any conversation to open it and reply.

2. The message dock
   When you’re browsing any Community page (Feed, Trending, Network, or Messages), look for the message dock — a narrow panel on the right side of your screen (desktop) or a slide-up tray (mobile web). It shows your most recent conversations. Click one to expand it inline, or click “View all messages” to open the full Messages tab.

The dock stays visible while you browse Community pages, so you can reply without leaving what you’re doing.

In the ArtHelper mobile app:

Open the ArtHelper app and tap the bell icon in the top right corner. Your messages appear in the notifications list. Tap a message notification to open the conversation.

Why you might see zero messages (even after connecting with people)

If you’ve Connected with other artists but your Messages inbox is empty, here’s what’s happening:

Connections unlock the ability to message — they don’t create a message thread automatically.

When you and another artist become Connected, ArtHelper doesn’t start a conversation for you. Either person can send the first message, but until someone does, no thread exists.

If your inbox is empty, it means:

• No one in your Network has sent you a message yet, and
• You haven’t started a conversation with anyone in your Network yet.

To start seeing messages, you’ll need to send the first message to someone in your Network (see “How to start a new message” below).

How to start a new message

From a Connected artist’s profile:

1. Visit the artist’s profile.
2. If you’re Connected, you’ll see a Message button in the profile header near the top of their page.
3. Click it. A message window opens. Type your message and send.

If you don’t see a Message button, you’re not Connected yet. You’ll need to send a Connect request first (see “How to send a Connect request” below).

From the Messages tab (web):

1. Open Community → Messages.
2. Click New Message (top right).
3. Type the artist’s name in the “To:” field. ArtHelper will show matching artists from your Network.
4. Select the artist, type your message, and click Send.

From your Network or an existing conversation:

You can also start a message by clicking an artist’s profile card in your Network tab, or by replying to an existing conversation in the Messages tab or message dock.

How to message someone who liked your work

If someone liked one of your images and you want to reach out to them, here’s what you need to know:

Likes do NOT automatically create a connection or message thread.

When someone likes your work, they’re showing appreciation — but that doesn’t mean you can message them yet. To send them a direct message, you must first become Connected.

Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Go to the image that was liked.
   Open your portfolio or feed and find the image.

2. Tap or click the like count (the number next to the heart icon below the image).
   A list of users who liked that image will appear.

3. Tap the user’s name or profile picture to open their profile.

4. Send them a Connect request.
   On their profile, click the Connect button near the top of the page. Add a personal note (optional but recommended — mention that you appreciated their like). Click Send Request.

5. Wait for them to accept.
   The artist will get a notification. If they accept your request, you’ll both be in each other’s Network.

6. Now you can send a message.
   Once they’ve accepted, return to their profile. You’ll now see a Message button in the profile header. Click it to start your conversation.

Why this matters: ArtHelper keeps messaging intentional. You can’t cold-message someone just because they liked your work. Both artists have to agree to connect first. This helps prevent spam and keeps the community safe.

A note about Instagram Business account connection issues

If you’re trying to connect your Instagram Business account to ArtHelper and running into problems, that’s a different feature from messaging other artists. Instagram integration issues are covered in a separate article:

Connecting your Instagram account to ArtHelper

That article walks through authorization steps, troubleshooting, and what to do if your Instagram Business account isn’t linking correctly. Messaging other artists on ArtHelper doesn’t require Instagram — it only requires a Connection.

Message notifications

When someone sends you a message, you’ll get:

• An in-app notification (the bell icon shows a red dot).
• An email (if you haven’t turned off message emails in your notification settings).

To adjust message notifications, see Adjusting your email and in-app notifications.

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Direct Messages — how to send and read them

You can send a direct message (DM) to any artist in your Network. Messages are private — only you and the other artist can see them.

Direct messages now support richer conversation than just text. You can attach images to share work-in-progress, references, inspiration, or event flyers. Quick reply suggestions may appear on some messages to help you respond faster. You can also use emoji reactions to acknowledge a message, and improved threading and search make it easier to find what you’re looking for in longer conversations.

Where to find your messages on arthelper.com

Your Messages live in two places now:

1. Inside the Community area (desktop and mobile web)
   Open Community → click the Messages tab at the top.
   You’ll see a list of all your conversations. Click any conversation to open it and reply.

2. On any Community page (desktop and mobile web)
   Look for the message dock — a narrow panel on the right side of the screen (desktop) or a slide-up tray (mobile). It shows your most recent conversations. Click one to expand it inline, or click “View all messages” to open the full Messages tab.

The dock stays visible while you browse Community pages, so you can reply to a message without leaving the feed.

Where to find your messages in the mobile app

Open the ArtHelper app, then tap the bell icon in the top right corner. Your messages appear in the notifications list. Tap a message to open the conversation.

How to start a new message

From an artist’s profile:

1. Visit the artist’s profile.
2. If you’re Connected, you’ll see a Message button in the profile header near the top of their page.
3. Click it. A message window opens. Type and send.

If you don’t see a Message button, you’re not Connected yet. You’ll need to send a Connect request first (see next section).

From the Messages tab (web):

1. Open Community → Messages.
2. Click New Message (top right).
3. Type the artist’s name in the “To:” field. ArtHelper will show matching artists from your Network.
4. Select the artist, type your message, and click Send.

From your Network or an existing conversation:

You can also start a message by clicking an artist’s profile card in your Network tab, or by replying to an existing conversation in the Messages tab or message dock.

Attaching images to messages

You can now attach images to any direct message. This is useful for:

• Sharing work-in-progress or sketches to get feedback.
• Sending reference images or inspiration.
• Sharing event flyers, workshop invitations, or exhibition announcements.
• Showing examples when discussing techniques or materials.

How to attach an image:

1. Open a conversation or start a new message.
2. Look for the image attachment button near the message compose box (usually represented by a camera or image icon).
3. Click it and select an image from your device.
4. Once uploaded, the image will appear in the message preview. You can add text along with the image or send the image on its own.
5. Click Send.

The recipient will see the image inline in the conversation. They can click it to view it full-size.

Image attachment tips:

• Image attachments are subject to the same community guidelines as posts. Don’t send spam, offensive content, or copyrighted work that isn’t yours.
• Images are shared only between you and the recipient — they’re not public.
• If an image fails to upload, check your internet connection and try again. Very large images may take longer to upload; consider resizing them first if you run into issues.

Quick reply suggestions

Some messages may show quick reply suggestions — short, contextually relevant responses you can send with one tap. These suggestions are designed to help you respond faster when you’re busy or not sure what to say.

For example, if someone asks, “Would you like to collaborate on a project?”, you might see quick replies like “Yes, I’d love to!” or “Tell me more” or “Not right now, but thank you!”

How quick replies work:

• Quick reply suggestions appear as buttons or chips below certain incoming messages.
• Tap or click a suggestion to send it immediately as your reply.
• Quick replies are optional — you can always type your own response instead.
• Not every message will have quick reply suggestions; they only appear when the system detects a question or prompt it can help with.

Emoji reactions and threading

You can now react to messages with emoji to acknowledge them without writing a full reply. For example, you can send a thumbs-up, heart, or laughing emoji in response to a message.

How to react with an emoji:

1. Hover over (desktop) or long-press (mobile) a message in the conversation.
2. Select an emoji from the reaction menu that appears.
3. The emoji will appear next to the message. The other person will see your reaction.

Threading and search improvements:

Longer conversations now have better threading (replies are visually grouped), making it easier to follow multi-topic discussions. The search function in the Messages tab has also been improved, so you can quickly find past messages by keyword, artist name, or date.

Message notifications

When someone sends you a message, you’ll get:

• An in-app notification (the bell icon shows a red dot).
• An email (if you haven’t turned off message emails in your notification settings).

To adjust message notifications, see Adjusting your email and in-app notifications.

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How to send a Connect request

You can only message artists in your Network. To add someone to your Network, send them a Connect request.

Steps to send a Connect request

1. Go to the artist’s profile (find them via Search, the Artists directory, or a community post).
2. Look for the Connect button near the top of their profile page.
3. Click Connect. A small window opens where you can add a personal note (optional but recommended).
4. Click Send Request.

The artist will get a notification. If they accept, you’re both in each other’s Network and can message each other.

What happens after you send a request

The Connect button changes to Request Sent. You can cancel the request by clicking that button again, then Cancel Request.

If the artist accepts, the button changes to Connected, and a Message button appears.

What to do when you receive a Connect request

When someone sends you a Connect request, you’ll see it in your Notifications (the bell icon). You have three options:

• Accept — You’re now Connected. You can message each other.
• Ignore — The request disappears from your list. The other artist won’t be notified.
• Block — The request is rejected, and the artist can’t send you another one or see your future posts. Use this for spam or unwanted contact.

To review pending requests, open Notifications and look for the “Connect requests” section.

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What happens after you accept a connection request

When you accept someone’s Connect request, ArtHelper now shows you a gentle nudge inviting you to send your first message to the artist you just connected with. This nudge helps you start a conversation right away instead of forgetting to follow up later.

Where the nudge appears

Immediately after you click Accept on a Connect request, a small modal or overlay appears on your screen. It welcomes you to your new connection and invites you to say hello.

What it says

The nudge might say something like:

“You’re now connected with [Artist Name]! Want to send them a message and say hi?”

You’ll see a button to Send Message (which opens a message compose window) and an option to Skip or Maybe Later.

It’s optional

You don’t have to send a message right away. If you’re not ready or want to think about what to say, just dismiss the nudge by clicking Skip, Maybe Later, or the close button (X). You can always send a message later from the Messages tab or by visiting the artist’s profile and clicking the Message button.

This nudge only appears once per connection

The nudge only shows for new connections — artists you just accepted or who just accepted your request. It won’t appear for artists you were already connected with before this feature launched, and it only shows once per connection. If you dismiss it, it won’t pop up again for that artist.

Why this feature exists

Many artists accept a Connect request with good intentions but forget to follow up. This gentle reminder helps you take the next step — starting a real conversation — while the connection is fresh. It’s designed to make networking feel more natural and less overwhelming.

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Group messages and community chats

ArtHelper does not currently support group messages or multi-person DMs. Messages are always one-on-one.

If you want to talk to multiple artists at once, consider:

• Creating a community (see Creating and running your own community).
• Posting in an existing community where all the artists you want to reach are members.

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Managing your connections

How to see who you’re Connected with

Open Community → Network. Every artist shown here is in your Network.

How to disconnect from someone

1. Visit their profile.
2. Click the Connected button (it’s where the Connect button used to be).
3. Select Disconnect.

You’ll both be removed from each other’s Network. Your past messages remain visible to both of you, but you can’t send new ones unless you reconnect.

How to block someone

If an artist is sending you spam, scam messages, or harassing you:

1. Visit their profile.
2. Click the three-dot menu (top right of their profile card).
3. Select Block.

Blocked artists can’t send you Connect requests, message you, comment on your posts, or see your future activity. For more on recognizing and reporting scams, see Spotting and reporting scams, fake profiles, and spam.

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Troubleshooting

I can’t find the Message button on someone’s profile

You’re not Connected yet. Send them a Connect request first. Once they accept, the Message button will appear in the profile header.

I sent a Connect request but haven’t heard back

Connect requests don’t expire, but artists may not check their notifications daily. If it’s been more than a week and you haven’t gotten a response, the artist may have ignored the request (which doesn’t send you a notification). You can cancel and re-send if you think they missed it, but don’t spam — one request is enough.

The message dock isn’t showing on my Community page

The dock only appears on Community pages (Feed, Trending, Network, Messages) when you’re on desktop or mobile web. It doesn’t show in the mobile app or on non-Community pages (like your profile or the Promote area). If you’re in the right place and still don’t see it, try refreshing the page.

My message didn’t send

Check your internet connection. If the connection is fine, try these steps:

1. Refresh the page and try again.
2. If refreshing doesn’t work, sign out and sign back in.
3. If the message still won’t send, contact support from Settings → Help & Support.

My image attachment won’t upload

If an image fails to attach to a message:

1. Check your internet connection.
2. Make sure the image file is a supported format (JPEG, PNG, GIF are typically supported).
3. Try a smaller image file — very large files may time out during upload.
4. Refresh the page and try again.
5. If the problem persists, contact support from Settings → Help & Support.

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Related articles

• Following other artists vs Connecting — when to use which — A deeper comparison of Follow vs Connect and when to use each.
• Adjusting your email and in-app notifications — Turn message notifications on or off.
• Spotting and reporting scams, fake profiles, and spam — How to recognize and report bad actors.
• Creating and running your own community — Start a private or public group for artists.
• Connecting your Instagram account to ArtHelper — Troubleshoot Instagram Business account connection issues.