Can Someone See If You Open A PM On Slack Without Messaging Them?

A lot of Slack users wonder whether opening a private message (PM) with someone without actually sending a message can be seen by the other person.

This leads to questions about visibility, read receipts, and whether Slack notifies users when a chat has been opened but not used.

Some people are particularly curious about whether Slack tracks when a DM has been opened, whether the other person receives any kind of alert, and if closing the conversation afterward removes any trace of the interaction.

Slack is widely used for workplace communication, and understanding how its messaging system works is crucial for privacy and awareness.

Unlike traditional messaging apps like Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat, that have read receipts, Slack operates slightly differently in terms of visibility.

Moving forward, we will explore whether the other person can see that you’ve opened a chat, if Slack logs this action in any way, and what happens if you close the PM without sending a message.

Here is everything we know about whether opening a PM on Slack without messaging alerts the other user.

Can Someone See If You Open a DM on Slack Without Messaging Them?

If you’re wondering whether the person can see that you opened a direct message (DM) with them but didn’t send anything, the short answer is no, they cannot.

Slack does not send a notification or alert when you merely open a chat window with someone.

Unlike apps like WhatsApp or Instagram, Slack does not have “seen” indicators or read receipts in DMs.

Here’s what happens instead:

#1. No notifications are sent

The other person will not receive any notification that a DM has been opened unless a message is actually sent.

#2. The conversation will not appear in their DM list

If you open a DM with someone and don’t send anything, Slack does not add that chat to their sidebar.

The chat only appears if a message is sent.

#3. Closing the chat removes it from your view

If you open a DM and then close it without sending anything, it disappears from your sidebar, and no trace is left on the other person’s end.

#4. Typing indicators only appear when you type

If you start typing in the message box but do not send anything, the person may briefly see a typing indicator if they are online at that moment.

#5. Presence status still applies

If you are online when you open the chat, the other person might see that you’re active, but this has nothing to do with opening the DM itself.

Conclusion

Slack is designed for efficient team communication while maintaining a level of privacy.

If you open a DM with someone but don’t send a message, they will not be notified, and the chat will not show up on their end.

The only way a DM gets added to their chat list is if you send a message.

If you were worried about someone knowing you opened a chat with them on Slack without messaging, rest assured that they won’t be able to tell.

Slack does not have read receipts, and simply opening a conversation does not generate any visible activity for the other person.

If this guide helped clarify how Slack handles DM visibility, feel free to share it with others who may have the same question!