Understanding Topics

Topics are the content categories you publish into (e.g., “Leadership Matters”, “HR Updates”, “Safety Alerts”).  Topics control who receives what content when combined with audiences.

How Topics and Audiences Work Together

• Each topic can be assigned to one or more audiences (e.g., Leaders, All Staff, Clinical Staff).

• When you publish to a topic, only the audiences mapped to that topic will receive or see the content.

• End users may or may not be allowed to subscribe/unsubscribe depending on the topic type.

Topic Types

Sparrow supports three topic access modes:

1. Default Topics

• Users are automatically subscribed.

• They may unsubscribe unless you disable that option.

• Used for organization-wide content you want broadly visible but not forced.

2. Mandatory Topics

• Users are automatically subscribed and cannot unsubscribe.

• Used for compliance, safety, critical updates, or leadership-required content.

• Ensures guaranteed visibility for all targeted audiences.

3. Restricted Topics

• Only specific audiences can access the topic.

• Users do not see the topic unless they belong to the mapped audience.

• Ideal for sensitive or role-based content (e.g., “Leadership Matters” for leaders only).