Yammer Communities
Bubble
Professional
Yammer Communities are platform-specific social groups within Microsoft Yammer where employees create topic-based forums to collaborate...Show more
Yammer Communities
Bubble
Professional
Yammer Communities are platform-specific social groups within Microsoft Yammer where employees create topic-based forums to collaborate, share knowledge, and build internal culture.
Statistics
Estimated Global Reach
6M
Popularity
Medium
Regional Hotspot
Worldwide
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General Q&A
A Yammer Community is a Microsoft-powered, internal social group where employees discuss projects, share updates, and build company culture through both formal and informal interactions.
Community Q&A
A Yammer Community is a Microsoft-powered, internal social group where employees discuss projects, share updates, and build company culture through both formal and informal interactions.
Discussions are grouped into threads, and people interact through posts, @mentions, and cross-posting, often moderated with community-specific policies set by group owners.
Community Q&A
Summary
Key Findings
Admin Influence
Community DynamicsYammer admins uniquely shape community culture through custom moderation rules and rituals like YamJams, steering group tone and engagement beyond formal governance.
Peer Recognition
Social NormsPraise badges and informal shout-outs create a culture of bottom-up feedback and peer validation uncommon in traditional corporate communication.
Cross-Channel Dynamics
Communication PatternsMembers strategically use @mentions and cross-posting to navigate and connect multiple internal platforms, reflecting a complex, layered information flow rarely visible to outsiders.
Identity Signaling
Identity MarkersActive participation, use of branded memes, and insider jargon act as identity markers signaling belonging and status within the Yammer community ecosystem.
Sub Groups
Departmental Groups
Communities formed around specific departments (e.g., HR, IT, Marketing) for internal collaboration.
Project-Based Communities
Temporary or ongoing groups focused on specific projects or initiatives within the organization.
Social & Culture Groups
Employee resource groups, interest clubs, and social committees that foster workplace culture.
Leadership & Management Forums
Spaces for leadership communication, management best practices, and executive engagement.
Statistics and Demographics
Platform Distribution
1 / 2
Workplace Settings
45%Yammer Communities are fundamentally embedded within workplace environments, where employees interact, collaborate, and build internal culture around shared topics.
Professional Settingsoffline
Microsoft Teams
25%Microsoft Teams is often integrated with Yammer in organizations, supporting overlapping communities and facilitating real-time collaboration and discussion among employees.
Slack
10%Some organizations use Slack alongside or instead of Yammer for internal topic-based communities, reflecting similar engagement patterns in professional settings.
Gender & Age Distribution
Ideological & Social Divides
Community Development
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Insider Knowledge
Terminology
Inside Jokes
"The Yammer Echo"
Refers to humorous situations where a post or announcement gets repeated multiple times in various communities, joking about how the message bounces around endlessly.
Facts & Sayings
„YamJam“
A live, open discussion event hosted within a Yammer Community, encouraging real-time interaction and idea sharing among members.
„All Company“
A community or conversation visible to all employees across the organization, used for broad announcements or discussions.
„Threaded Conversation“
A series of connected replies within a post, allowing organized and focused discussion on specific topics.
„Praise Badges“
Digital tokens of recognition that members can give to colleagues to acknowledge helpful contributions or positive attitudes.
Unwritten Rules
Always use @mentions thoughtfully.
Overusing or misusing mentions can overwhelm colleagues with notifications and be seen as intrusive or annoying.
Keep 'All Company' posts relevant and professional.
Since these posts reach everyone, inappropriate or off-topic content can damage credibility and irritate large audiences.
Respond promptly to direct questions or requests in threads.
Timely engagement signals respect and keeps projects on track, reinforcing a culture of collaboration.
Use praise badges genuinely, not excessively.
Over-giving badges diminishes their value and can appear insincere, so they should acknowledge real contributions.
Fictional Portraits
1 / 3
Maya, 29
Project ManagerfemaleMaya is a mid-level project manager at a multinational company using Yammer Communities to streamline collaboration across departments.
TransparencyCollaborationEfficiency
Motivations
- Facilitate clear communication among project teams
- Share best practices and updates efficiently
- Build rapport and culture despite remote work
Challenges
- Keeping team members engaged and responsive on Yammer
- Overwhelmed by the volume of updates and posts
- Balancing Yammer activity with other communication tools
Platforms
Yammer CommunitiesMicrosoft TeamsEmail
@mentionsAnnouncementsThreadsPinned posts
Insights & Background
Historical Timeline
Main Subjects
Technologies
1 / 3
1 / 3
Technologies
First Steps & Resources
Get-Started Steps
Time to basics: 2-4 weeks
1
Set Up Your Yammer Profile
30-45 minutesBasic
Summary: Create a complete, professional Yammer profile to introduce yourself to the community.
Details: Begin by logging into your organization's Yammer network and setting up your profile. Add a clear photo, your real name, job title, department, and a brief bio that highlights your interests or expertise. This step is crucial because a complete profile builds trust and makes it easier for others to connect with you. Many newcomers skip this, making it harder to be recognized or approached. Take time to review privacy settings and ensure your information is accurate. A well-crafted profile signals that you are a genuine participant, not just a passive observer. To evaluate your progress, check if your profile is 100% complete and if you’ve received any profile views or connection requests. This foundation is essential for meaningful engagement in Yammer Communities.
2
Explore and Join Relevant Communities
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Browse Yammer to find and join communities that align with your interests or work.
Details: Use Yammer’s search and browse features to discover active communities within your organization. Look for groups related to your department, projects, or professional interests. Read community descriptions and recent posts to gauge activity and relevance. Avoid joining too many at once; focus on 2-3 that genuinely interest you. Some beginners join inactive or irrelevant groups, leading to disengagement. Instead, prioritize communities with regular discussions and clear guidelines. Introduce yourself briefly in each group after joining. This step helps you understand the landscape and start building connections. Progress is measured by your membership in relevant groups and initial interactions, such as likes or replies to your introduction.
3
Observe Community Culture and Etiquette
2-3 days (passive observation)Basic
Summary: Read posts and discussions to learn each community’s tone, norms, and best practices.
Details: Spend time observing how members interact before posting. Note the types of content shared, the tone of discussions, and how questions are asked and answered. Pay attention to pinned posts or guidelines, which often outline community rules. Many newcomers make the mistake of posting off-topic or using an overly formal or informal tone. By observing first, you’ll learn what’s valued—such as sharing resources, asking thoughtful questions, or celebrating team wins. This step is vital for integrating smoothly and avoiding faux pas. Evaluate your progress by feeling confident about the group’s norms and being able to summarize them for yourself. This foundation will make your future contributions more impactful and well-received.
1
Set Up Your Yammer Profile
30-45 minutesBasic
Summary: Create a complete, professional Yammer profile to introduce yourself to the community.
Details: Begin by logging into your organization's Yammer network and setting up your profile. Add a clear photo, your real name, job title, department, and a brief bio that highlights your interests or expertise. This step is crucial because a complete profile builds trust and makes it easier for others to connect with you. Many newcomers skip this, making it harder to be recognized or approached. Take time to review privacy settings and ensure your information is accurate. A well-crafted profile signals that you are a genuine participant, not just a passive observer. To evaluate your progress, check if your profile is 100% complete and if you’ve received any profile views or connection requests. This foundation is essential for meaningful engagement in Yammer Communities.
2
Explore and Join Relevant Communities
1-2 hoursBasic
Summary: Browse Yammer to find and join communities that align with your interests or work.
Details: Use Yammer’s search and browse features to discover active communities within your organization. Look for groups related to your department, projects, or professional interests. Read community descriptions and recent posts to gauge activity and relevance. Avoid joining too many at once; focus on 2-3 that genuinely interest you. Some beginners join inactive or irrelevant groups, leading to disengagement. Instead, prioritize communities with regular discussions and clear guidelines. Introduce yourself briefly in each group after joining. This step helps you understand the landscape and start building connections. Progress is measured by your membership in relevant groups and initial interactions, such as likes or replies to your introduction.
3
Observe Community Culture and Etiquette
2-3 days (passive observation)Basic
Summary: Read posts and discussions to learn each community’s tone, norms, and best practices.
Details: Spend time observing how members interact before posting. Note the types of content shared, the tone of discussions, and how questions are asked and answered. Pay attention to pinned posts or guidelines, which often outline community rules. Many newcomers make the mistake of posting off-topic or using an overly formal or informal tone. By observing first, you’ll learn what’s valued—such as sharing resources, asking thoughtful questions, or celebrating team wins. This step is vital for integrating smoothly and avoiding faux pas. Evaluate your progress by feeling confident about the group’s norms and being able to summarize them for yourself. This foundation will make your future contributions more impactful and well-received.
4
Engage by Commenting and Reacting
1 week (ongoing)Intermediate
Summary: Start participating by liking, reacting to, or commenting on posts in your chosen communities.
Details: Move from observation to participation by engaging with existing content. Like or react to posts that resonate with you, and leave thoughtful comments or follow-up questions. Aim for genuine engagement—avoid generic responses like “Great post!” and instead add value or ask clarifying questions. Beginners often hesitate to comment, fearing they lack expertise, but respectful curiosity is always welcome. If you’re unsure, start with supportive reactions and gradually build up to comments. This step is important for building visibility and trust within the community. Track your progress by noting responses to your comments and whether you’re recognized by other members. Consistent, positive engagement is the gateway to deeper involvement.
5
Share Original Content or Ask Questions
1-2 weeks (ongoing)Intermediate
Summary: Contribute by posting helpful resources, insights, or thoughtful questions relevant to the community.
Details: Once comfortable, create your own posts—share an article, summarize a recent project, or ask a question relevant to the group’s focus. Make sure your content aligns with community interests and guidelines. Avoid self-promotion or off-topic posts, which can alienate members. Instead, focus on adding value: share lessons learned, useful links, or pose questions that invite discussion. Use clear, concise language and tag relevant people or topics if appropriate. This step is crucial for establishing yourself as an active, contributing member. Evaluate your progress by tracking engagement with your posts (likes, comments, shares) and whether members respond positively or seek your input in future discussions.
Welcoming Practices
„Welcome post“
When new members join a community, leaders often create a public welcome post encouraging others to introduce themselves and share relevant resources, fostering immediate inclusion.
Beginner Mistakes
Posting duplicate questions instead of searching existing threads.
Always use the search function before asking to avoid clutter and help maintain organized conversations.
Ignoring community guidelines on tone and content.
Read and follow posted guidelines to build trust and avoid conflicts or moderation actions.
Pathway to Credibility
Tap a pathway step to view details
Active participation
Contributing regularly in discussions and responding helpfully demonstrates commitment and expertise.
Earning praise badges
Receiving recognition from peers highlights valuable contributions and builds social capital.
Taking leadership roles
Becoming a Yammer admin or group owner shows trust and responsibility in shaping community culture and governance.
Facts
Regional Differences
North America
North American Yammer Communities tend to emphasize open sharing and bottom-up feedback more prominently compared to some European counterparts, where privacy and data sensitivity influence community settings.
Europe
European organizations often enforce stricter moderation policies and data compliance in Yammer Communities due to regulatory frameworks like GDPR.
Misconceptions
Misconception #1
Yammer Communities are just generic online forums.
Reality
They are specialized internal social networks designed to support organizational culture, knowledge sharing, and collaboration within enterprise constraints.
Misconception #2
Yammer can replace all email communication.
Reality
While it reduces some email reliance, many teams still use email alongside Yammer for formal, confidential, or externally directed communications.
Misconception #3
Only the tech-savvy use Yammer effectively.
Reality
Yammer has a wide user base across roles and tech comfort levels, supported by tailored training and community-specific norms that ease participation.
