> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.creatures.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Finding and managing your messages

Use **Messages** to find a conversation, focus on unread replies, and return to older discussions. Opening a conversation marks its messages as read.

![The Messages toolbar with All, Unread, and Search messages](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/1a8/f97/e07/97104.png?width=1760)

## Find a conversation

1. Open **Messages** from the main navigation.
2. Enter at least two characters in **Search messages**.
3. Search by the other person's name or handle, words from a message, or a context label such as **Website inquiry**.
4. Select the matching conversation.

Search is especially useful when the conversation is older than the 50 conversations shown in the inbox.

## Work through unread messages

1. Select the **Unread** tab.
2. Open a conversation to read it.
3. Return to **Messages** and continue with the next unread conversation.

The number beside **Unread** counts conversations with unread messages, not individual messages. The navigation badge uses the same conversation count. Unread conversations appear first; the rest are ordered by recent activity.

## Start a new message from the inbox

1. Select the **New message** button beside **Messages**.
2. Use **Search by name or handle...** to find a person or organization.
3. Choose the recipient and write your message.

People you have blocked, or who have blocked you, do not appear in this picker. You also cannot message yourself or a banned account.

## Understand conversation context

A context label appears below the message preview in your inbox and beneath the name in an open conversation. It can identify a listing, animal, transport request, application, sale, or website inquiry. Messages stay private to the participants; for organization conversations, every member of the organization can see them. You can keep replying even if the related item later becomes unavailable.

![An unread Website inquiry from Jordan Brooks in Messages for Lindgren Heritage Genetics](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/1d3/1f2/b6b/6b042.png?width=1760)

If a conversation disappears after you block someone, that is expected. Blocking hides the conversation from both inboxes and stops new replies and reactions. You can unblock the person from their profile. See [Blocking or reporting another member](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/blocking-and-reporting-another-member-65wefi/).

For attachments, mentions, reactions, and new-conversation limits, see [Messaging other members](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/messaging-other-members-fsidra/).

### Related information

- [Messaging other members](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/messaging-other-members-fsidra/)