Slack is great for keeping teams connected, but let’s be honest—sometimes, it can feel like a chaotic mess. And the way we communicate on Slack can have a bigger impact than we realize.
The truth is, small etiquette mistakes can add up, making work more frustrating for everyone. Without meaning to, you might be annoying your colleagues or even pushing them away.
The good news? A few simple changes can make all the difference. Here are some common Slack mistakes to watch out for—so you can keep communication smooth and your relationships strong.
1) Sending messages without considering timing
Just because Slack allows instant communication doesn’t mean you should send messages at any time without thinking.
A quick question or update might seem harmless, but if it’s after hours or during deep work time, it can be disruptive.
And if you’re constantly pinging people without checking their availability, they may start to see your messages as an interruption rather than something worth responding to.
Before hitting send, ask yourself: Is this urgent? Could it wait until a better time? And if you really need to reach out, a simple “Hey, do you have a moment?” can go a long way in showing respect for their time.
2) Overusing @channel and @here
I learned this one the hard way.
Early on in my team’s Slack use, I thought tagging `@channel` or `@here` was just a good way to make sure everyone saw important updates.
So, whenever I had something to share, I’d tag the whole group—whether it was a deadline reminder or just a small announcement.
It didn’t take long before someone messaged me privately: “Hey, could you ease up on the `@channel` tags? It’s a bit overwhelming.” That’s when I realized I had been unnecessarily interrupting people all day long.
The truth is, most messages don’t need to grab everyone’s attention at once. If it’s not urgent for the entire group, it’s better to mention only the people who actually need to see it.
Otherwise, you risk annoying your colleagues and making them tune out when something truly important comes up.
3) Sending multiple messages instead of one
Slack might feel like a casual chat, but that doesn’t mean you should treat it like texting.
When you send five separate messages in a row—each containing just a few words—you’re creating unnecessary notifications and making conversations harder to follow.
Instead of a smooth exchange, your colleagues see a flood of pings that could have been condensed into one clear message.
Studies show that frequent interruptions can reduce productivity and increase stress. And every unnecessary notification is a tiny interruption.
So before hitting send, take a moment to organize your thoughts and send one concise message instead of several back-to-back ones. Your coworkers will thank you.
4) Not using threads properly
Threads exist for a reason—to keep conversations organized and prevent channels from becoming a chaotic mess. But not everyone uses them correctly.
When you reply to a message in the main channel instead of in a thread, you’re making it harder for others to follow the conversation.
Important discussions get buried under unrelated messages, and before you know it, people are scrolling endlessly to find context.
On the flip side, some people overuse threads, burying critical updates in long sub-conversations that no one checks. The key is balance—use threads for side discussions, but if something is important for everyone, bring it back to the main channel so it doesn’t get lost.
5) Leaving messages on read without acknowledging them
We’ve all been there—sending a message, seeing that it’s been read, and then… nothing. No response. No reaction. Just silence.
In a remote work environment, where Slack is often the main form of communication, a simple acknowledgment can go a long way.
A quick thumbs-up emoji or a short reply like “Got it!” reassures the sender that their message was received. Without it, they’re left wondering if they need to follow up or if their message was even noticed at all.
Good communication isn’t just about what we say—it’s also about making others feel heard. A small response takes only a second but can make a big difference in keeping teams connected and showing respect for each other’s time and effort.
6) Using Slack for everything instead of the right tools
It’s easy to fall into the habit of using Slack for everything—quick updates, brainstorming, long discussions, even project planning. But just because it’s convenient doesn’t mean it’s always the best option.
I used to default to Slack for every conversation, thinking it kept things moving fast.
But over time, I noticed problems creeping in—important details got lost in endless scrolls, decisions were made but never documented properly, and long discussions became exhausting to keep up with.
Some conversations are better suited for a quick call, an email, or a project management tool where information won’t disappear in a flood of new messages.
Knowing when to step away from Slack and use the right tool can make communication clearer and work more efficient for everyone.
7) Expecting instant responses
Just because Slack is fast doesn’t mean people are always available to reply immediately.
It’s easy to forget that your colleagues have their own tasks, meetings, and deep work time. Sending a message and expecting an instant response can create unnecessary pressure and disrupt their focus.
And if you follow up with “?” or “Did you see this?” too soon, it can come across as impatient.
A healthier approach is to assume that people will respond when they can. If something is truly urgent, it’s okay to say so—but if it’s not, giving people space to reply on their own time makes for a much more respectful and productive work environment.
8) Not respecting status indicators
Slack gives people tools to set boundaries—status messages, Do Not Disturb mode, and away indicators—but they only work if others respect them.
If someone has marked themselves as busy or away, repeatedly messaging them anyway shows a disregard for their time. Ignoring Do Not Disturb settings with unnecessary pings can feel intrusive, especially when someone is trying to focus or take a break.
Status indicators exist for a reason. Paying attention to them and respecting when someone isn’t available helps create a culture where people feel valued, not just as coworkers, but as individuals who deserve space to work and recharge.
Bottom line: Communication shapes relationships
The way we communicate at work isn’t just about efficiency—it shapes how we see and feel about each other.
Slack, like any tool, is only as effective as the etiquette we bring to it. Small habits, whether thoughtful or careless, can quietly strengthen or strain workplace relationships over time.
A well-placed acknowledgment can build trust, while a poorly timed message can create frustration.
In a digital workspace where tone is harder to read and interruptions are easier to make, awareness is everything.
The little things—respecting status indicators, using threads wisely, or simply organizing a message before sending—aren’t just about productivity. They’re about showing consideration for the people on the other side of the screen.
