> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tryordinal.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Approvals

> Add reviewers to a post, set blocking or non-blocking approval, and require sign-off before content publishes.

Approvals ensure content gets reviewed before it goes live. Whether you're an agency managing client accounts, a team posting on behalf of executives, or an organization with compliance requirements - approvals add a review gate that protects your brand and keeps stakeholders informed.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ordinal/9SNngH9d5toHVBfb/images/approvals-hero.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=9SNngH9d5toHVBfb&q=85&s=1028d169edae551074b42522ea89b06b" alt="Approvals Hero" width="1500" height="900" data-path="images/approvals-hero.jpg" />

Common use cases:

* **Agencies** - Get client sign-off before publishing to their accounts
* **Executive content** - Ensure leadership reviews posts on their personal brands
* **Brand consistency** - Maintain voice and messaging standards across teams
* **Compliance** - Meet regulatory requirements with documented approval trails

## How it works

1. **Request**  -  Author finishes a post and requests approval from one or more reviewers
2. **Notify**  -  Reviewers receive notifications via Slack, email, or in-app (based on their preferences)
3. **Review**  -  Reviewers open the post, examine content, and approve or leave feedback

## Requesting approval

From any post or campaign, find the **Approvals** section in the sidebar and click **Request Approval**:

1. **Select reviewers**  -  Search and add one or more team members
2. **Set due date** (optional)  -  Reviewers get reminders when the due date arrives
3. **Choose blocking**  -  Toggle on if the post shouldn't publish without approval
4. **Add a note**  -  Give context: "Please check hashtags" or "Client needs to approve messaging"

The post shows "Pending" until reviewers respond.

<Tip>
  Add multiple approvers when you need sign-off from different stakeholders - marketing, legal, and the client can all review the same post.
</Tip>

## Blocking vs non-blocking

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Blocking">
    The post **can't** be published until approved.

    * You can still schedule the post for later
    * Protects sensitive accounts from accidental publishing
    * Default for approval rules
    * If not approved, the post will remain in "Scheduled" status and will not be published.

    **Use for:** Client accounts, executive profiles, regulated content
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Non-Blocking (Default)">
    The post **can** be published while approval is pending.

    * Approval is for visibility and awareness
    * Creates an audit trail
    * Post publishes regardless of approval status

    **Use for:** Informing stakeholders, low-risk content, FYI requests
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Note>
  **Enterprise feature:** On Enterprise plans, you can configure certain profiles to always have blocking approvals set. This ensures that certain accounts never publish without review - even if someone forgets to request approval manually.
</Note>

## Approvals Inbox

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ordinal/9SNngH9d5toHVBfb/images/approvals-inbox.jpg?fit=max&auto=format&n=9SNngH9d5toHVBfb&q=85&s=e5243392886fca144b5e3219e4fff188" alt="Approvals Inbox" width="1500" height="900" data-path="images/approvals-inbox.jpg" />

The **Approvals** page in the sidebar gives you a centralized view of posts still awaiting your approval, as well as outstanding approvals you've requested. You can filter the inbox by date range as well to focus on what's urgent.

| Section                        | What it shows                                           |
| ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Awaiting your approval**     | Posts and campaigns where someone requested your review |
| **Approvals you've requested** | Posts where you're waiting on others                    |

## Reviewing posts

When you're asked to approve something:

1. **Find it**  -  Click the notification or go to the Approvals page
2. **Review**  -  Check the copy, media, mentions, hashtags, and schedule. Leave [comments](/collaboration/commenting) on anything that needs changing.
3. ****If all looks good - approve****  -  Click the checkmark. The requester is notified that the post is approved.

<Note>
  Approvals work on mobile too. Review and approve posts from anywhere.
</Note>

## Notifications

Reviewers receive approval requests via their preferred channels:

* **In-app**  -  Always appears in the inbox
* **Email**  -  If enabled in notification settings
* **Slack**  -  If workspace has Slack connected

When due dates are set, reviewers get automatic reminders. Configure notification preferences in [Settings → Notifications](https://app.tryordinal.com/settings/notifications).

## FAQs

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I add multiple approvers?">
    Yes. Add as many reviewers as needed. Each receives their own notification and can approve independently.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can approvals be done on mobile?">
    Yes. The mobile app supports reviewing and approving posts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are approval rules?">
    Rules automatically require approval for specific accounts. Once set, any post to that account triggers an approval request - no manual action needed. Enterprise workspaces can set these as defaults.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if content changes after approval?">
    The approval stays in place. If significant changes are made, consider re-requesting approval to ensure reviewers have seen the final version.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Learn more

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Notifications" icon="bell" href="/collaboration/notifications">
    Configure how you receive approval alerts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Statuses" icon="circle" href="/posts/statuses">
    Track content through your workflow.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>