#  How do I use differentiation tags in Canvas? 

 



Consider the [difference between Groups, Sections, and Differentiation Tags](/faq/what-difference-between-groups-sections-and-differentiation-tags "What is the difference between Groups, Sections, and Differentiation Tags?").

Differentiation Tags allows instructors to create custom sets of students within a course that are:

- Hidden from students.
- Can be used to target communications via the Inbox, that is, send emails to students only within a particular set.
- Can be used to differentiate content in the Canvas site, that is, to assign Modules/Pages/Assignments only to a particular set.
- Can be used as a filter in the gradebook.

As of yet, Announcements cannot be targeted to a specific set.

Differentiation tags can be set in the People section:

 ![People page on Canvas with the two buttons relating to the setting of differentiation tags are highlighted.](/sites/g/files/omnuum3251/files/2025-09/diff_tags.png)

 

For more on differentiation tags, see Instructure's FAQ: [Differentiation Tags FAQ | Instructure Community ](https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Differentiation-Tags/Differentiation-Tags-FAQ/ta-p/639336)



 

 

 



 

 See also:- [ How to ](/faq-type/how)
- [ Canvas ](/platform-app/canvas)
- [ Instructional Team ](/user/instructional-team)