You want announcements from one Discord server to automatically appear in another server. Discord’s Channel Following feature lets you do exactly that without inviting bots or managing webhooks manually. This article explains how Channel Following works, what permissions you need, and the exact steps to set up cross-server announcements. You will learn how to follow a channel, manage followed content, and avoid common mistakes that break the connection.
Key Takeaways: Setting Up Discord Channel Following
- Channel Following feature: Lets you mirror announcements from one server to another without bots or webhooks.
- Server Settings > Integrations > Channel Following: The menu path to start following a channel in your own server.
- Manage Messages permission: Required in the source channel to enable following; the target channel only needs Read Messages.
What Is Discord Channel Following and How Does It Work
Discord Channel Following is a built-in feature that copies messages from a public announcement channel in one server to a channel in another server. When a user sends a message in the source channel, that message automatically appears in the target channel. The feature works only with announcement channels, which are a special channel type designed for broadcasting. You do not need any third-party bots or custom webhook configurations. The source server must have the Community or Server Community feature enabled. The target server can be any server where you have the Manage Server or Manage Webhooks permission.
The copied message includes the original author’s name and avatar, the source server name, and a link back to the original message. Reactions and replies on the followed message appear only in the source server. The target channel shows a read-only copy. This design keeps the announcement clear and prevents clutter in the target server.
Prerequisites for Using Channel Following
Before you can follow a channel, both servers must meet these conditions:
- The source server must be a Community server with the Announcement channel type enabled.
- You must have the Manage Server permission in the target server or the Manage Webhooks permission in the target channel.
- You must have the Manage Messages permission in the source announcement channel.
- The target channel must be a text channel. Voice channels, forum channels, and stage channels cannot receive followed messages.
Steps to Set Up Cross-Server Announcements with Channel Following
Follow these steps to connect an announcement channel from one server to a text channel in another server.
- Enable Community Server on the source server
Open your source server and go to Server Settings > Enable Community. Complete the required steps, including setting a rules or guidelines channel and a community updates channel. Community mode is mandatory for announcement channels. - Create or convert an announcement channel
In the source server, create a new channel and select the Announcement channel type. Or right-click an existing text channel, select Edit Channel, and change the channel type to Announcement. Only announcement channels can be followed. - Open the target server and select the text channel
Switch to the server where you want announcements to appear. Right-click the text channel that will receive the announcements. If you are not in the target server, you can follow a channel from the source server’s channel list using the Follow button, but the target server must be selected first. - Click the Follow button in the source channel
In the source announcement channel, look at the top-right corner of the message area. Click the Follow button. A dialog box appears asking you to select the target server and channel. - Choose the target server and channel
In the dialog box, select the target server from the dropdown list. Then select the specific text channel in that server. Click Follow. A confirmation message appears in the source channel saying the channel is now followed. - Verify the connection
Send a test message in the source announcement channel. The message should appear in the target channel within a few seconds. The message will include a small banner showing the source server name and a link to the original post.
If You Cannot See the Follow Button
If the Follow button does not appear, check these items:
- Confirm the source channel type is Announcement. Regular text channels do not show the Follow button.
- Verify the source server has Community mode enabled. Go to Server Settings > Community and ensure the toggle is on.
- Check your permissions. You need Manage Messages in the source channel and Manage Server or Manage Webhooks in the target server.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Using Channel Following
Even when the setup works, several issues can stop announcements from appearing or cause confusion.
Followed Messages Do Not Show Up in the Target Channel
The most common cause is a permission change after the follow was established. If a server admin removes the Manage Webhooks permission from your role in the target server, the webhook that powers the follow stops working. To fix this, ask an admin to restore the Manage Webhooks permission for your role in the target channel. You may need to unfollow and refollow the channel to re-establish the connection.
Messages Are Copied but the Author Name Is Missing
This happens when the source server has disabled the “Show author name” option in the announcement channel settings. Go to the source announcement channel, click Edit Channel, and under Permissions, ensure the “Show author name” permission is enabled for @everyone or the relevant role. The author name will then appear in the followed copy.
Too Many Followed Announcements Clutter the Target Channel
Channel Following copies every message from the source channel. If the source channel is used for frequent updates or casual conversation, the target channel becomes noisy. To avoid this, create a dedicated announcement channel in the source server that only authorized members can post in. Restrict the Send Messages permission to specific roles so only important announcements trigger a follow.
You Cannot Follow a Channel in a Server You Do Not Own
The Follow button appears only to users who have Manage Server or Manage Webhooks in the target server. If you are a member of a server but lack those permissions, you cannot set up a follow. Ask a server admin or moderator with the required permissions to perform the setup for you.
| Item | Channel Following | Webhook |
|---|---|---|
| Setup complexity | No configuration needed, just a button click | Requires creating a webhook URL and copying it to a bot or external tool |
| Permission requirements | Manage Messages in source, Manage Webhooks in target | Manage Webhooks in source channel, plus external tool setup |
| Message content | Copies full message with author and link back to source | Customizable via the webhook payload, can include embeds and attachments |
| Editing or deleting | Editing the source message does not update the copy; deleting the source does not remove the copy | Editing or deleting the source does not affect the webhook copy |
| Use case | Simple cross-server announcements with no customization | Complex integrations, custom formatting, and automated notifications |
Now you can set up Discord Channel Following to share announcements across servers in minutes. Start by enabling Community mode on the source server and creating an announcement channel. Then use the Follow button to connect to any text channel in another server where you have Manage Webhooks permission. For a cleaner experience, restrict posting in the source announcement channel to a few trusted members. If you need more control over message formatting or want to filter content, consider using a webhook instead.