What's the difference between a Card Member and a Card Follower?

[Harris Davis]

I notice that when you add yourself—or someone else—to a card as a Member, that person automatically becomes a Follower. But you can uncheck "Follow" and still appear as a Member. What impact does that have on notifications if I am a Card Member but have deactivated the "Follow" button? 

[Matthew N · Accepted solution]

Hey Harris

Following (some users may see subscribe or watch instead) is to get notifications for that specific card.  Here's more on notifications

[Harris Davis]

Thanks Matthew. What is the reason to become a member of a card then? When you become a member, you become a follower by default. But you can also follow (or subscribe or watch) without becoming a member. So I'm wondering what's the purpose of card membership? Hope this makes sense.

[Matthew N]

Per Trello's Help Site:

Board members can also be added to individual cards to indicate association or to assign those members to the card. Adding a member to a card automatically subscribes them to the card. They will receive notifications for the following:

• All comments
• Adding, changing, and upcoming due dates
• Card moves and archives

Note that if card members choose to unsubscribe at a later point, they will no longer receive these notifications.

So, essentially being a member of a card is like being assigned to a task.  And if you're not assigned to a task, you can still get updates by subscribing.

[Harris Davis]

Got it, thanks so much for your help! I'm recommending to my team that Card Members remain followers, so they'll receive notifications they are not @mentioned in. But if they only want to receive notifications they are @mentioned in, then they should remove themselves as a Card Member.