Deleting a community you created allows you to remove it if you no longer need or want it. However, deleting a community is permanent and cannot be undone, so it’s important to consider all factors before deciding to delete.
Can I delete my own community?
Yes, as the creator of a community you have the ability to delete it. Only moderators and admins can delete a community they created. Regular members cannot delete communities.
How do I delete my community?
To delete a community you created, follow these steps:
- Go to the Moderation Tools section in Community Settings
- Click “Delete Community”
- Confirm you want to delete the community
You will then have to enter your password to confirm the deletion. Once confirmed, the community will be permanently deleted.
Can I restore a deleted community?
Unfortunately, once a community is deleted it cannot be restored. The deletion is permanent and irreversible. All content, members, posts, wikis, images etc will be permanently removed. There is no way to recover a deleted community.
What happens when I delete my community?
Here is what happens when you delete a community you created:
- The community name/URL will become available for anyone else to claim
- All posts, comments, wikis, images, members etc will be permanently deleted
- User flair will be lost
- Moderators will lose their status
- Members will stop receiving notifications for that community
- The community will no longer appear in searches
- Desktop customizations like banners, colors, icons etc will be removed
In essence, the entire community and all its content will be wiped from existence. So be absolutely sure you want to delete it before confirming!
What if other moderators don’t want the community deleted?
Only the creator of a community has the power to delete it. Other moderators cannot override the creator’s decision. If you created the community, you can choose to delete it even if other mods object.
Can I delete a community if I’m no longer a mod?
No, only current moderators of a community can delete it. If you created a community but are no longer a mod, you cannot delete the community.
What should I do before deleting my community?
Before deleting your community, it’s recommended you:
- Inform your members the community is closing down
- Remove any customizations you want to keep
- Export/save any important data or content
- Appoint a new top mod if you want the community to continue under new management
This gives members notice to find a new community if desired. And allows you to save anything important before the community is gone for good.
Can I temporarily deactivate my community instead?
Some platforms allow temporarily deactivating a community instead of fully deleting it. This removes it from public view but preserves the content.
However, on this platform once you delete a community there is no way to temporarily deactivate it or recover it. Deletion here is permanent.
What are some reasons to delete a community?
Here are some common reasons you may want to delete a community you created:
- You no longer have time to manage or moderate it
- The community topic is no longer relevant or useful
- Low member engagement or posts
- Repeated rule violations or toxic behavior
- You want to start over fresh
- Your community overlaps too much with another existing community
Essentially if maintaining the community is too demanding or it’s no longer serving its purpose, deleting may be the right choice.
What should I consider before deleting my community?
Before hitting that delete button, take time to consider:
- Do your members still find value in the community?
- Is there another mod willing to take over leadership?
- Could you resolve issues with changes vs deleting entirely?
- Is the problem temporary and likely to resolve over time?
Essentially consider if there are solutions that stop short of permanent deletion. Your members may not want the community to go away entirely.
How can I archive my community content before deleting?
If you want to preserve your community’s content before deleting, here are some options:
- Manually copy/paste important posts, wikis, images etc into documents
- Use a “scraper” tool to export posts and comments
- Take screenshots of design elements you want to keep
- Download images you have uploaded
While tedious, this can allow you to have records of the most important content. Just be sure not to repost anything members shared in confidence.
What will members see if they try accessing my deleted community?
After a community is deleted, any members who try to access it will see a message saying the community is unavailable or no longer exists. The specific wording depends on the platform.
They will not be able to see any of the old posts or content. It will appear as if the community never existed in the first place.
Can I create a new community with the same name after deleting?
Yes, after deleting a community the name becomes available for anyone to claim. So you could create a new community with the exact same name you had before.
Just be aware your old members won’t automatically join the new one – you’ll be starting from scratch again.
What are alternatives to deleting my community?
Instead of deleting your community entirely, consider these alternative options:
- Make the community restricted/private to take a break and reevaluate
- Appoint new moderators to share the workload
- Loosen rules to allow for more free discussion
- Merge with another similar community
- Temporarily disable posting abilities
Depending on the issues you’re facing, there may be solutions that stop short of permanent deletion. But if you are set on deleting, be sure it’s the right choice.
Conclusion
Deleting a community is a permanent action that cannot be undone. Consider alternatives first, but if you must delete be sure to inform your members, save anything important, and understand exactly what deletion entails on this platform.
With care and forethought, you can make the best decision for you and your members.