Multiply users surely already know about our absolutely kick-ass privacy controls. In fact, we know a lot of users chose Multiply based on these – we read your comments!

In the near future, we're going to be implementing a feature that you're sure to love: the ability to set a default access level for all future posts you make.

This means that if you want to make sure you don't accidentally share content with an audience wider than you want, set a minimum access level... and forget it! Everything you post afterwards will automatically be posted with that default level.

We at Multiply actually use Multiply for sharing with our friends and family, so we understand as well as anyone that different types of posts require different levels of privacy. While, for example, you may choose to default to "My Network," there certainly may be times when you want, say, maximum exposure for your content ("Everyone") or the privacy of just your direct contacts. All the options are still there, and after setting a default, you can still choose a different one for each new post.

Once again, this feature is coming soon – for the time being, you'll need to manually set the access level on each post for additional privacy, as "Everyone" is the default setting.

From time to time, we look back at features we unveiled in the not-so-distant past, both because they're worth bringing up once again -- and to try and get more of a feel for what Multiply users think of them and how they use them.

This is one such look, but this time, it's a little different.

Today we're looking at a feature that's been available since day one: Multiply's extensive privacy options. You know, the ability to share what you want, with precisely whom you want.

While we've looked at this a few times in the past on this very blog, we think it's worth revisiting, particularly as more people join Multiply. We understand that newer members who've used other services to share their content may not be used to having such powerful ways of sharing while controlling their experience.

We took an extensive look at a few aspects of our privacy options about a year and a half ago, in a few installments that are still worth reading:

• Defining Relationships
  (or: Yes, there's a difference!)
• You Control Your Content
  (or: Extensive privacy options are yours!)
• Know What's Public
  (or: Always good to double-check!)

How do you use these features? Have they helped you share content online that you otherwise wouldn't?

If you've been following the Internet blog buzz lately, you already know that privacy on social websites is once again a hot topic. Well, it never really ceased to be, but it seems to be back on everyone's radar this week, with a particular vengeance.

We figured that now would be a good time to point you to a series of past entries, Why Multiply is Safe, which we blogged in four parts back in February and March of this year.

• Part one: Defining Relationships
• Part two: You Control Your Content
• Part three: Know What's Public
• Part four: You Know Who Knows
  

Even without the recent buzz about other services, it's a good idea to be aware of the fine-grained privacy options that we provide on Multiply. The entries linked above highlight a few ways Multiply makes privacy possible... and easy.

This is our fourth and final installment of Why Multiply is Safe (see previous entries Defining Relationships, You Control Your Content, and the particularly riveting Know What's Public). Over those last few entries, we've shown you a few examples of ways we've made it simple and straightforward to protect yourself while still sharing intimate bits of your life with your friends, family and others on Multiply.

Today, we'll take a look at profiles on Multiply, and how to use them to your advantage.

---

Your Multiply profile is a great way to let your network know who you are. Multiply's search feature utilizes this information, allowing users to find closely-related people in their network, people who may also live nearby or share their interests.

Lots of websites allow you to search profiles, but Multiply keeps it relevant by showing only those closely connected to you through your contacts, and safe by giving you complete control over who is able to search for you.

For instance, you may want to keep your contact information -- such as your address, phone number and the school you go to -- available to people you actually know. Or you may want to open up your professional information to a wider, yet still closely connected audience. Multiply lets you do just this; for each type of information, choose whether it should be visible to "Everyone," "Your Network" or "Your Contacts."

Just one more way Multiply lets you experience and share with your network... on your terms.

See also: part one, part two, and part three.

So you have your relationships all nicely well-defined and you know how to share your stuff with precisely those you want, but wouldn't you like to just double-check and make sure that what's meant to be public is public, and what isn't... isn't?

Multiply lets you do just this.

Sure, you could just sign out of your account whenever you post content to double-check that everything's cool. Then go back to our home page and sign back in and resume what you were doing.

Or not. We've got an easier way. It goes a little something like this:

1. Post your content
2. Visit the page, any page (your blog, your photos, an individual blog entry, a photo album, etc.)
   
3. Click View This Page as Another User

And what you see in the new window... that's what's public. That's what the rest of the world sees. That's what the search engines see. That's what your friends who aren't on Multiply see (*gasp*! invite them! quick! :)

When you're satisfied, close the window and be on your merry way. Sleep soundly tonight.

Isn't it good to know?

See also: part one, part two, and part four.

In our last installment of Why Multiply is Safe, we showed you how to (re-)define your relationships on Multiply. Today we'll be looking at the finer points of using that relationship data to your advantage.

---

Who views the content you post on Multiply is entirely up to you. When you post something, think about whether you'd like to share it... and if so, with whom. Then choose the most appropriate security level and click "Publish" to share it! (Or to not, as the case may be.)

Your options are pretty straightforward:

• Choose Everyone to make your content available to the general public -- for both Multiply members and non-members alike.
  
• If you would like to post for a combination of close friends, family members and co-workers, (as well as their close contacts, and their close contacts too), select Your Network to make the most out of your network.
• Want your content limited to only those closest to you? You'll want to try Your Contacts.
  
• Mix and match anyone you like -- both contacts and non-contacts alike -- by choosing Individuals.
• Bonus! Enable the "Advanced Posting" feature (this can be found under "My Settings") to choose a combination of your network, your contacts AND other random individuals! Select Advanced for this.
  

Another way Multiply keeps you in control (and your network meaningful) is by not automatically adding any contacts to your account you don't choose yourself. Unlike some other sites, we don't provide you with an unwanted 'starter friend' who makes it impossible to build a trusted and meaningful network by introducing random strangers into your social circle.

---

So far, we've seen how Multiply lets you control your contacts list. And how you're connected to each of them. Oh, and how much of your content different individuals get to view.

This makes me feel pretty comfortable. How about you?

See also: part one, part three and part four.

While using your own good judgment is the best way to stay safe both online and off, privacy isn't an afterthought with Multiply. It's at our very core.

In light of what's been in the news lately regarding the protection of personal information on the Internet, over the next few days, we'll be giving you a look at a few ways Multiply helps you share your life with those you want... while keeping it safe from those you don't.

---

One of the areas where Multiply really shines is the precision with which you can share your content with those close to you. Most other sites don't even allow you to define your relationships... everyone you know -- whether they're your aunt, business partner or ex-husband -- is just lumped into the generic category of "friends"!

The easiest way to ensure that you and your contacts get the most out of Multiply is to accurately define your relationship with them. The ability to easily and securely share your content with others depends on the accuracy of this information. For instance, if you choose to share a photo album with your family members but don't have them listed as such, they won't be able to view this content.

So what do you do if all of your contacts -- including your mother, ex-wife and boss -- are all currently considered "friends"? You redefine your relationship.

With Multiply, this is easy to do. Simply click My Contacts in the menu sidebar, followed by Edit Relationship, found at the bottom of the page, like so:







Then select the contact you would like to edit and click "Change Relationships." You can choose multiple relationships for each user, which can be useful for those business partners you happen to be related to. At this point, you contact will be emailed notifying them of the change, which they will need to approve. But that shouldn't be a problem, right?

A good way to save time and avoid having to do this later is by making sure you choose an accurate relationship when inviting new contacts. Likewise, if someone invites you to connect with them with an inaccurate relationship, be sure to edit the relationship accordingly after accepting their invitation.

Doing this will help make your entire network more meangful by showing how people are connected; is this person your co-worker's roomate's sister... or just a friend's friend's friend?

See also: part two, part three and part four.