After a group admin initially sets up a group, the privacy level may need to change. The Settings tab is used to update the group’s privacy level:

• Public Groups – With a public group everything the group creates is visible on the Commons: the group page, member list, and forum posts. No permission is required to join a public group. Public groups can also enable group sites and set different roles for members.
• Private Groups – In a private group certain elements of the group are not visible to those who are not members. Only members can see the member list and forum posts. The group does appear in the list on the Commons Groups page, but non-members can only view a simplified version of the group page. You must request membership to join a private group.
• Hidden Groups – A hidden group is invisible on the Commons to everyone except for group members. The group page, member list, and forum posts are all hidden from the public.

The Group Settings tabs also lets the group admin decide who can create group invitations.

Most importantly, the group admin can decide if the group should have an associated WordPress site.

Admins also control the default email subscription level. Individual members can always override the default email setting.