Starting a new forum but not sure what categories and forums to create? Or perhaps your existing forum has too many sections, and you're looking to reorganise things?

AI can help you build a forum structure that makes sense for your community! 🚀

Instead of guessing which boards you need, you can use tools like ChatGPT to generate ideas based on your niche, audience, and goals.

📝 Copy-and-Paste Prompts

1. Create a Forum Structure from Scratch

Want to start with a blank slate? Try this prompt:

I'm creating a new forum about [YOUR TOPIC]. My target audience is [YOUR AUDIENCE], and my main goal is [YOUR GOAL].

Suggest a complete forum structure with categories and individual forums under each category. Give every category and forum a name and a short description.

Keep the structure organised, easy to navigate, and suitable for a new community. Avoid creating too many sections that could end up empty.

2. Create a Compact Forum Layout

Sometimes fewer forums are better, especially when you're starting out!

Design a compact forum structure for a [YOUR TOPIC] community. I want a maximum of 4–5 categories, with only the most essential forums in each category.

Combine related topics where appropriate, avoid unnecessary sections, and make sure the layout is easy for new members to understand.

3. Expand an Existing Forum

Already have a forum but want to add more sections?

I'm running a forum about [YOUR TOPIC]. Here is my current category and forum structure:

[PASTE YOUR CURRENT STRUCTURE]

Review my layout and suggest useful new categories or forums that would benefit members. Explain why each addition would be worthwhile, and identify any existing sections that could be combined instead of expanded.

4. Organise a General Discussion Forum

Create a well-organised category and forum structure for a general discussion community where members can talk about everyday life, hobbies, entertainment, technology, and other interests.

Include a welcome area, general discussions, specialist interests, community games, and a suitable place for announcements. Give each forum a short description and avoid overlapping sections.

5. Build a Niche Community

I'm building a forum dedicated to [YOUR NICHE]. Identify the main subjects that enthusiasts in this niche would want to discuss.

Group those subjects into logical categories, then suggest individual forums under each category. Include a short description for every forum and explain how the structure encourages ongoing discussions.

6. Find the Right Balance

Act as an experienced online community administrator. Help me decide how many categories and forums my community needs.

My forum is about [YOUR TOPIC], and I currently have approximately [NUMBER] members.

Recommend a sensible structure for my community's current size, explain which sections should be merged or separated, and suggest how the structure could expand as the community grows.

💡 Tips for Getting Better Results

• Tell AI your niche. A gaming forum needs a different structure from a business or promotion forum.

• Mention your community size. A new forum usually needs fewer sections than a well-established community.

• Ask for descriptions. Short descriptions help visitors understand where to post.

• Request alternatives. Ask AI for both a compact layout and a more detailed layout, then compare them.

• Review the suggestions. AI may suggest sections that overlap or that your members don't actually need.

Remember, you don't have to use every suggestion AI gives you. A smaller, active forum structure is often more inviting than dozens of empty boards.

💬 Let's Discuss!

Have you used AI to plan your forum categories and boards?

Tell us what kind of forum you're running, and share your favourite prompt or the structure AI suggested. You might give another forum owner some ideas for their next project!