Many server owners want their community to appear in Discord’s Server Discovery section. This feature lets new users browse and join public servers directly from the Discord client. Without being listed, your server relies solely on invites or word-of-mouth to grow. Server Discovery requires your server to meet specific eligibility criteria and have Discovery settings properly configured. This article explains what Server Discovery is, the requirements for listing, and the exact steps to get your server approved and visible.
Key Takeaways: How to Get Your Server Listed in Discord Discovery
- Server Settings > Enable Community: This mandatory setting unlocks Discovery and other moderation tools.
- Server Settings > Discovery > Request Review: Submit your server for manual review after meeting all requirements.
- Minimum 1,000 members and server age over 2 weeks: Both conditions must be met before Discovery is available.
What Is Discord Server Discovery and Who Can Use It
Server Discovery is a built-in directory that shows public servers to anyone using Discord. Users can browse by category, search by name, or filter by language. The Discovery tab appears on the left sidebar in the Discord app. When a server is listed, it gains organic visibility without needing paid promotion.
Not every server can use Discovery. Discord imposes strict requirements to ensure listed servers are active, well-moderated, and safe. The primary prerequisites are:
Community Server Requirement
Your server must first be converted to a Community server. This enables features like an announcements channel, rules screening, and a dedicated moderation team. Without Community mode, the Discovery option does not appear in your server settings.
Minimum Member Count and Server Age
Discord requires at least 1,000 members to apply for Discovery. The server must also be older than two weeks. These thresholds prevent brand-new or inactive servers from cluttering the directory.
Content and Moderation Standards
Your server must follow Discord’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Servers with explicit or hateful content are rejected. You must have active moderation, a clear set of rules, and a verified email on the server owner’s account.
Steps to Enable Community Mode and Configure Discovery Settings
Before you can submit your server for Discovery, you must enable Community mode and configure several related settings. Follow these steps in order.
- Open Server Settings
Right-click your server name in the left sidebar and select Server Settings. Alternatively, click the server name and choose Server Settings from the drop-down menu. - Enable Community
In the left menu, click Enable Community. A setup wizard appears. Follow the prompts to set up a rules channel, a community updates channel, and a moderation team. Click Finish Setup to confirm. - Set Up an Announcements Channel
If you do not already have one, create a new text channel and name it #announcements or a similar name. In Server Settings, go to Community > Announcements Channel and select that channel. This is required for Discovery eligibility. - Set Up a Rules Channel
Create a text channel named #rules. In Server Settings, go to Community > Rules Screening and enable it. Write your server rules in the designated box. This channel is mandatory for Discovery. - Configure Moderation Settings
Assign at least one moderator role with permissions to kick and ban members. In Server Settings, go to Roles and create a role named Moderator. Give it the Kick Members and Ban Members permissions. Assign this role to at least one trusted member. - Set Server Verification Level
In Server Settings, go to Moderation > Verification Level. Set it to Low or higher. A higher level reduces spam but may deter new members. For Discovery, Low is the minimum. - Add a Server Description and Banner
In Server Settings, go to Overview. Write a concise description of your server, under 300 characters. Upload a server banner image at least 960×540 pixels. These appear in the Discovery listing. - Set Primary Language
In Server Settings, go to Community > Primary Language. Select the language most used in your server. This helps Discord categorize your server accurately.
After completing these steps, your server meets the basic configuration requirements for Discovery.
How to Submit Your Server for Discovery Review
Once your server has 1,000 members and is over two weeks old, you can request a Discovery review. Discord staff manually review each submission.
- Navigate to Discovery Settings
In Server Settings, scroll down to Discovery in the left menu. Click it. - Review Requirements
The page shows a checklist of all requirements. Ensure every item has a green checkmark. If any item is missing, go back and fix it before proceeding. - Click Request Review
If all requirements are met, a Request Review button appears. Click it. A confirmation dialog appears. Read the terms and click Submit. - Wait for Approval
Discord reviews your server within a few days to a few weeks. You receive a notification in Discord when the review is complete. If approved, your server appears in Discovery immediately. If rejected, the notification includes a reason, such as insufficient moderation or content policy violations.
If Your Server Does Not Meet the 1,000 Member Threshold
Many server owners want Discovery but do not have enough members yet. You have two options: grow your server organically or use alternative discovery methods.
Organic Growth Strategies
Share your server invite link on social media platforms, gaming forums, or niche communities. Create high-quality content in your server, such as tutorials or events, that members want to share. Use Discord’s built-in Invite Splash feature to create a custom invite background that attracts new users.
Use Server Listing Websites
Sites like Disboard, Discord Me, and Top.gg allow server owners to list their servers for free. These directories are searchable and can drive new members. While not as official as Discord’s Discovery, they are effective for building an initial member base.
Discord Server Discovery vs Third-Party Server Listings
| Feature | Discord Server Discovery | Third-Party Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Official integration | Built into the Discord client | External websites and bots |
| Minimum members | 1,000 | No minimum |
| Review process | Manual review by Discord staff | No review or automated |
| Visibility | Appears in all Discord users’ sidebar | Only on the listing site |
| Monetization | Free | Often free, some offer paid boosts |
Server Discovery offers the highest visibility because it is part of the Discord client itself. Third-party listings are a good alternative for servers that do not yet meet the member requirement.
Common Mistakes That Delay or Prevent Discovery Approval
Server Description Is Too Vague or Missing
Your server description must clearly explain what your community is about. Avoid generic phrases like “fun server” or “gaming community.” Be specific: “A community for fans of competitive Valorant, with weekly tournaments and coaching sessions.”
Rules Channel Is Empty or Not Used
Your rules channel must contain a clear list of rules that members agree to when joining. Empty or placeholder rules cause rejection. Update the rules to reflect your server’s specific guidelines.
Moderation Team Is Not Active
Discord checks whether your server has active moderators. If the moderator role exists but no one has used moderation actions in the past 30 days, your server may be rejected. Ensure your moderators are actively removing spam and enforcing rules.
Server Banner or Icon Is Missing
A server icon and banner are required. Use a high-resolution image that represents your community. Avoid using copyrighted images or low-quality screenshots.
Conclusion
You can now enable Community mode, configure Discovery settings, and submit your server for review. Focus on meeting the 1,000-member threshold and maintaining an active, well-moderated community. If your server is approved, it will appear in the Discovery tab and attract new members automatically. For servers that do not qualify yet, use third-party listing sites like Disboard or Top.gg to grow your member count. After approval, regularly update your description and banner to keep your listing fresh and appealing.