# “General chat” topic

Zulip's [topics](/help/introduction-to-topics) help you keep conversations
organized, but you may sometimes want to send a message without a topic. For
example, this could be appropriate for social chatter, or for a one-off request
(e.g., “Is anyone around to help me out?”).

{!general-chat-intro.md!}

The “*general chat*” topic can be used only if [allowed](/help/require-topics)
by your organization's administrators, and channels can be
[configured](/help/general-chat-channels) to only allow the “*general chat*”
topic.

## Sending a message to the “*general chat*” topic

You can [reply](/help/replying-to-messages) to a message in the “*general chat*”
topic, or follow the instructions below.

{start_tabs}

{tab|via-left-sidebar}

1. Click the **new topic** (<i class="zulip-icon zulip-icon-square-plus"></i>)
   button next to the name of the channel where you'd like to send a message.

{!compose-and-send-message.md!}

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut to send a message to
    the channel you're viewing.

{tab|via-compose-box}

1. Click the **Start new conversation** button at the bottom of the app.

1. _(optional)_ You can change the destination channel for your message using
   the dropdown in the top left of the compose box. Start typing to filter
   channels.

{!compose-and-send-message.md!}

!!! keyboard_tip ""

    You can also use the <kbd>C</kbd> keyboard shortcut to send a message to
    the channel you're viewing.

{end_tabs}

## Related articles

- [Introduction to topics](/help/introduction-to-topics)
- [“*General chat*” channels](/help/general-chat-channels)
- [Require topics in channel messages](/help/require-topics)