Messages — direct chat & inbox

URBALT has a built-in messenger. You can chat about a listing, or message any member directly — all in one inbox at your messages.

Message anyone, not just sellers

You no longer have to go through a listing to reach someone. Two ways to start a conversation:

• From a profile — open any member's profile page and click Message. A direct conversation opens, with no listing attached.
• From your inbox — click the New message (+) button, then Search people by name or @username, pick someone, and start chatting.

Messaging about a listing still works the same way — open the listing and click Message Seller. That conversation is tied to the listing so you both have the context.

Your inbox, filtered

Everything lives in one inbox. Tabs at the top sort it for you:

• All — every conversation.
• Direct — personal chats not connected to any listing.
• Listings — conversations that started from a marketplace listing.

Messages arrive instantly

Chat is live. New messages appear the moment they're sent — no refresh, no delay. The open conversation and your inbox both update in real time when a new message arrives, a new conversation starts, or someone reads what you sent.

Your conversations are private

Your messages are stored encrypted on our servers. Keeping the conversation inside URBALT also means you don't have to hand out your phone number or email unless you choose to.

Stay safe

• Keep the conversation inside URBALT. If someone pushes you straight to WhatsApp or Telegram, treat that as a yellow flag.
• Never send money upfront for something you haven't seen — especially for a "reservation".
• Use the Report button if a message is a scam or abuse. See Safety for more.