In the suchen.expert messages section, a small coloured dot indicates whether the person you are talking to is currently online or offline. The dot is displayed next to the user's profile picture and name.
What do the colours mean?
- Green dot: The user is currently online.
- Grey dot: The user is currently offline.
Check that you are looking at the dot for the correct conversation. If you have several conversations or users with similar names, a quick look at the profile picture and the associated advert helps avoid confusion.
Does ‘online’ mean I will receive an immediate reply?
No. A green dot indicates the current online status but does not guarantee an immediate reply. The person may currently be viewing other content or checking details, or may leave the platform before opening your message.
Therefore, do not send the same message several times in quick succession. Give the other person a reasonable amount of time and politely follow up later if necessary.
What happens to a message if the user is offline?
Your message remains stored in the conversation and can be read later. You do not need to wait until the dot turns green before sending a message.
You cannot tell from the online dot whether a sent message has already been read. A separate read receipt with two green ticks is used for this. Further information is available in Message status and recovery.
What can I do if the status does not appear up to date?
Refresh the page once and reopen the conversation concerned. Then check the dot next to the profile picture and name again.
If the messages section remains empty or the status repeatedly fails to display correctly, follow the guidance in Common problems and solutions in chat rooms.
Distinguishing between online status and arrangements
The online status confirms neither a commitment nor an agreement. What matters are the messages and arrangements in the conversation. The article How do I send a message to a user and how do I receive messages on suchen.expert? explains how to send and receive messages.
