> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/interview-studies/manage-an-interview-study/invite-observers-and-guests-to-an-interview-session.md).
# Invite observers and guests to an interview session
Every interview session has a moderator and a participant. However, you may have other researchers or stakeholders who want to listen in. Maybe you want a collaborator to attend to help with note-taking. Or maybe you want to invite a client of yours to hear what participants have to say first-hand.
When inviting others to listen in on a session, you can invite them as either an **observer** or as a **guest**. Here’s a breakdown of each role:
| Functionality | Observer | Guest |
| -------------------------------------------------------------- | -------- | ----- |
| Can access without a Dscout account | ❌ | ✅ |
| See and hear participant and moderator, including screenshares | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chat with moderator | ✅ | ❌ |
| Take notes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Create session markers | ✅ | ❌ |
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** To invite someone as an observer, you must first add them to your Dscout project. For more information, see [Manage project collaborators](/getting-started/collaborate-in-dscout/manage-project-collaborators.md).
{% endhint %}
## Invite observers to a session
Observers are fellow researchers who join your session to assist in tasks like note-taking. They can create markers and chat with you (the moderator). However, participants will not know observers are present.
**To invite observers to an interview session:**
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** Anyone with access to your Dscout project can quickly join an in-progress session as an observer by navigating to the **Manage** tab of your study and clicking **Observe session**.
{% endhint %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Locate the participant whose session you want to invite an observer to.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click the **Share link** icon in that participant’s row.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select **Copy observer link**. The session link modal is displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Copy link**. The link is copied to your clipboard.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Share the link however is easiest for you (in a message, an email, etc.).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, at the session’s scheduled time, your teammates can use the shared link to join as an observer. For more information on joining a session as an observer, see [Join an interview session](/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/join-an-interview-session.md).
## Invite guests to a session
Guests are stakeholders external to your Dscout account who may want to listen in on an interview session. They can see and hear both the participant and moderator (including any screens shared during the session), but they will not be able to interact with the session in any way. Participants will not know guests are present.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Because guests are not required to have a Dscout account, you’ll create a password for the share link to ensure only those you want to join your session are able to.
{% endhint %}
**To invite guests to an interview session:**
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Navigate to the **Manage** tab of your study.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Locate the participant whose session you want to invite a guest to.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click the **Share link** icon in that participant’s row.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Select **Copy guest link**. The session link modal is displayed.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Enter a **password**.
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Passwords must contain at least eight characters, one capital letter, and one number.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Save**.
{% hint style="success" %}
**Tip:** If you’ve already shared a guest session link but want to change the password, you can do so in this modal. All guests must use your updated password regardless of when they received the link.
{% endhint %}
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Click **Copy session link and password**.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
Share the link however is easiest for you (in a message, an email, etc.).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
Now, at the session’s scheduled time, your guests can use the shared link and password to join. For more information on joining a session as a guest, see [Join an interview session](/interview-studies/conduct-an-interview-session/join-an-interview-session.md).
---
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