But can I choose to use a private channel? I understand that if I have a private node it’s private, but then I don’t help the network with routing in any way, or do I misunderstand?
Discussion
You can use your own private channel, if your node only have private channels you are not routing others payments. It's all about the user case you want, for example you couldn't help the network if your node is small and fail a lot of routing. In my case, I like private channels to my routing node, I help them with connections to all mayor service providers and they help me with what I think it's real traffic.