Want to identify and engage your most active members? Heartbeat makes it easy to automatically find your power users — and then build feedback loops, channels, and recognition systems around them.

Looking for a full breakdown of access groups? Check out our Access Groups Overview →

Step 1: Create a Power User Segment

1. Go to Settings → Access Groups

2. Click Create Group

3. Name it something like Power Users

4. Select Automated Group

Now set your filters. You can:

• Use the built-in Power User template, or

• Build your own rules (e.g.):

  • More than 25 posts/comments/reactions in the last year

  • Logged in 3+ times this month

  • Attended 2+ events

  • Not an admin or moderator

Use the Preview button to check how many members qualify — aim for your top 10–20% of users.

Step 2: Give Them a Private Feedback Channel

Once the group is created:

1. Create a private feedback or power user channel

2. Set the channel’s visibility to only the Power Users group

3. Let them collaborate, share ideas, and shape the future of your community

Use this channel to test new features, ask for input, or reward your most engaged members with behind-the-scenes access.

Step 3: Automatically DM New Power Users

Send an automatic welcome message using Workflows:

1. Go to Workflows → Create New

2. Set the trigger as: Member joins Power Users group

3. Add an action: Send Direct Message

Example message:

“Hey {{first_name}}, thanks for being such an active part of our community! You’ve unlocked access to our private feedback channel — we’d love your input.”

Optional: Add a Power User Badge

Want to highlight your top members publicly?
In your Power Users access group, toggle on the Badge option under Visibility — and choose a standout color.

Heartbeat automatically recalculates these groups every 24 hours, so your list of top contributors is always up to date.