Outdated Channel Names Displayed in Slack Search

Title: Outdated Channel Names Displayed in Slack Search

Platform/Tool: Slack (macOS)

Section/Environment: Channel Search in Chat Input

Issue Type: Usability

Severity: Medium (Can cause confusion and inefficiencies)

Status: Open

Description

When searching for a channel in Slack’s chat input field, the system displays outdated names along with the current ones. While this might be useful for historical reference, the lack of an option to filter or control the displayed names can lead to user confusion. Users may struggle to identify the correct channel, especially if multiple name changes have occurred over time.

Evidence

Screenshot shows search results with both old and new names, making the list cluttered.
Users might accidentally select an outdated name, thinking it is still in use.

Scenario

Feature: Channel Search Experience in Slack Scenario: User searches for a channel in the chat input Given a user is typing a channel name in the chat input field When Slack suggests matching channels Then the list includes both current and outdated channel names And there is no option to filter out outdated names And the user might be confused about which name to select

Positive Aspects

✔ The system retains historical names, which can be useful for reference.

✔ Autocomplete functionality is responsive and quick.

Proposed Solutions

Filtering Options: Provide a setting to hide or prioritize current names in search results.
Visual Differentiation: Display outdated names with a different color or tag (e.g., archived or previous name).
User Control: Allow workspace admins to disable the display of old names if not needed.