> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.whodis.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Private and public collections

> Choose who can view a collection without publishing your separate personal notes, personal tags, or other private collections.

export const FeatureClip = ({video, alt, width = 1280, height = 960}) => {
  const [motionAllowed, setMotionAllowed] = useState(null);
  const [failed, setFailed] = useState(false);
  const ref = useRef(null);
  useEffect(() => {
    const preference = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)');
    const update = () => {
      if (preference.matches && ref.current) {
        ref.current.pause();
        ref.current.currentTime = 0;
      }
      setMotionAllowed(!preference.matches);
    };
    update();
    preference.addEventListener('change', update);
    return () => preference.removeEventListener('change', update);
  }, []);
  useEffect(() => {
    if (!ref.current) return;
    if (motionAllowed) ref.current.play().catch(() => {}); else ref.current.pause();
  }, [motionAllowed]);
  const style = {
    display: 'block',
    width: '100%',
    height: 'auto',
    aspectRatio: `${width}/${height}`,
    borderRadius: 8
  };
  if (failed) return <p>{alt} <a href={video}>Open the demo video.</a></p>;
  if (motionAllowed === null) return <div style={style} aria-label="Loading demo video" />;
  return <video ref={ref} src={video} width={width} height={height} autoPlay={motionAllowed} muted loop={motionAllowed} playsInline controls preload="auto" aria-label={alt} style={style} onError={() => setFailed(true)}>{alt} <a href={video}>Open the demo video.</a></video>;
};

Choose visibility for each collection. New collections start **Private**. Make a selected collection **Public** when you want others to read what you have saved there.

<FeatureClip video="/videos/features/collections-visibility.mp4" width={960} height={1080} alt="Opening the AI Field Notes visibility menu, changing Private to Public, and copying the public collection link." />

## Keep a collection private

A private collection is available to you and any existing members with access. It does not have a public collection page that anyone can browse.

Keep a collection private when it contains working research or context you do not want to publish. A collection link does not make a private collection public.

## Make a selected collection public

1. Open Whodis from the Chrome toolbar and choose **Collections**.
2. Open a collection you own.
3. Open **Visibility** and choose **Public**. The change saves automatically.
4. Use **Public link** to open or copy its public page.

Anyone can view a public collection's saved content. Signed-in readers can follow it. You remain in control of the collection's visibility; following does not grant editing access.

The **Shared** option is currently disabled. Choose **Private** or **Public**.

## Review the content you are publishing

Making a collection public exposes the notes, tags, and bookmarks saved **in that collection**. Review them before changing its visibility, including any note attachments.

Your separate personal notes and tags remain personal. Other private collections stay private. Publishing one collection does not publish your whole Whodis account or your native X bookmark list.

## Return a collection to private

Open its **Visibility** control and choose **Private**. Its public page is no longer available to general visitors. This cannot retract information someone already viewed or copied while the collection was public.

Continue with [Share and follow collections](/features/share-and-follow-collections), or return to [Collections](/features/collections).


## Related topics

- [Collections](/features/collections.md)
- [Share and follow collections](/features/share-and-follow-collections.md)
- [Bookmarks](/features/bookmarks.md)
- [Install and get started](/install.md)
- [Profile notes](/features/profile-notes.md)


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