How to Hide Subgroups on the Member Directory Page

Introduction

BuddyBoss does not offer a built-in option to hide subgroups on the main Member Directory. However, you can use Group Types and their permission settings as a workaround to control which groups appear. This guide explains how to categorize subgroups into a custom Group Type and then restrict visibility so they won’t show in the directory.

Use Group Types to Hide Subgroups

Create a Custom Group Type

1. In WordPress admin, go to BuddyBoss Dashboard > Groups > Group Types.
2. Click Add New Group Type, give it a name (e.g., “Hidden Subgroups”), and save.
   

Assign Subgroups to Your Custom Type

1. Navigate to Groups > All Groups.
2. For each subgroup you want to hide, click Edit, go to the Group Types tab, and check Hidden Subgroups.
3. Click Update.
   

Restrict Visibility via Permissions

1. Go back to BuddyBoss Dashboard > Groups > Settings > Group Types.
2. Locate Hidden Subgroups and expand its Permissions settings.

3. Uncheck Show in Member Directory (or similar option) to prevent any group of this type from appearing.
4. Click Save Changes.
   

Your designated subgroups will no longer display in the Member Directory, while all other groups remain visible.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

Q: I don’t see the “Show in Member Directory” option—what now?
A: Ensure you’re running BuddyBoss Platform v1.9.0 or later. Clear any caching after saving permissions, then reload the directory.

Q: How can I reverse this change?
A: Return to Group Types > Settings, re-enable Show in Member Directory for your custom type, save, and the subgroups reappear.

Q: I want a true “hide subgroups” feature—what should I do?
A: Submit a feature request on the BuddyBoss Roadmap: go to buddyboss.com/roadmap and click + Submit Idea to suggest an enhancement.

Q: Will this workaround affect performance?
A: No. It only modifies how groups are queried for the directory view without adding significant overhead.