Do you know the difference between “General Server” and “Community Server” on Discord servers?
“Community Servers” have more management tools and features, but they require higher security settings to “Enable Community”. This article not only explains how to “Enable Community” but also introduces the management tools and features that are only available on “Community Servers.”
What is a Community Server?
If your Discord server is just a small group of friends chatting and staying in touch, then a Community Server may not offer much help.
If your goal is to provide a comprehensive community for people with similar interests or to create an environment where enthusiasts can freely communicate with each other, then the series of management tools and features provided by a Community Server can greatly improve server management efficiency and community members’ communication experience.
How to Enable Community?
All newly created Discord servers are “General Servers” and need to go through the “Enable Community” setting process to enable the functionality of Community Servers.
However, Discord has made the “Enable Community” function foolproof. As long as you follow the system’s instructions and check all the necessary settings, Discord will automatically adjust all related security settings. Therefore, finding the “Enable Community” option may actually be the most challenging part of the whole process.
Step 1: Find the “Enable Community” option
First, click on the server name in the upper left corner of the Discord server you want to set up. Then, find the “Server Settings” option in the drop-down menu that appears.
Next, slide the left menu to the bottom in the new window. If the server has not enabled community, you will see the “Enable Community” option under the “Community” category. Click “Get Started”.
Find the “Enable Community” option
Step 2: Follow Discord’s 3-step setup
The following process is quite straightforward. Simply check the boxes and click next to complete the setup. However, if this is your first time going through the process, I recommend carefully understanding each step and what settings are being changed.
Process 1: Safety checks
If the server settings already meet the requirements for enabling community servers, there will be an automatically checked blue checkmark, indicating that you can proceed to the next step. If the server settings do not meet the requirements, simply click the blue checkmark, and the system will automatically adjust the settings accordingly.
There are two settings adjustments in Process 1:
- All community members who can speak on the server must verify their Discord email account.
- Discord will automatically scan all media content posted by community members outside of the 18+ channels. If there is any objectionable content, Discord will automatically delete it.
Keep your community safe
Process 2: Setting up the basics
In this process, Discord will require the administrator to create two essential channels for enabling community features. You can choose existing channels or ask Discord to help create them. The two channels are:
- Rules or guidelines channel: This channel is used to post the rules or code of conduct that must be followed when joining this server.
- Community updates channel: This channel will regularly update Discord with any latest news related to administrators and moderators.
Setting up the basics
Process 3: Finishing touches
There are two adjustments to community member permissions in this process, both to improve the server’s community experience and security:
- Set default settings to Mentions Only.
- Disable risky permissions for @everyone.
Further reading: Detailed Explanation of Discord Roles Settings
Finally, check the agreement to comply with the rules, and click “Finish Setup” to officially enable the community server function.
One last step
Features unlocked after “Enable Community”.
More available channel types
Normal servers can only create Text Channels and Voice Channels. After enable community, an additional 3 types of channels will be unlocked: Forum Channels, Announcement Channels, and Stage Channels.
Discord’s 5 channel types are: text, voice, forum, announcement, and stage
For a detailed introduction to more channel types, please read this blog: 5 Main Types of Discord Channels You Should Know
Additionally, after enabling the Community Server, you will notice new options in the “Server Settings” menu:
Features unlocked after “enable community”
- Overview: A page that aggregates the features of the Community Server.
- Onboarding: Discord’s built-in reaction role function helps new members integrate into the community more quickly.
- Server Insights: Various data about the server.
- Partner Programme: The opportunity to receive brand promotion and exclusive benefits provided by Discord.
- Discovery: Listing a server in Explore can increase its exposure.
- Welcome Screen: Customizable welcome screen.
Overview
This page is equivalent to the homepage of the community server, where you can directly modify or link to the functions unique to each community server. If you want to turn off the community server function, you can also do so on this page (box 5 in the figure below).
Overview Page
Onboarding
This feature allows new members to integrate into a new server more quickly. In addition to providing the functionality of reaction roles, which previously required the use of third-party bots, it also allows community members to have the flexibility to customize the server channel list.
Click “Check it out” to enter the onboarding setup process
Server Insights
This feature can only be unlocked if the number of server members exceeds 500, and it provides administrators with interaction data about various aspects of the server related to community members.
Server Insights Page
Partner Programme
Applying for the Partner Program has certain thresholds that need to be met, including:
- Safe Environment: Enable the community server feature.
- Member Requirements: The server needs to have at least 500 members.
- Server Existence Time: The server needs to have been established for more than 8 weeks.
- Server Activity Indicator: The threshold for displaying activity indicators is to first reach at least 500 members.
- No Bad Words: Server names, descriptions, and channel names cannot have obscene words.
- Please enable the “2FA Required for Moderation” Setting: This setting requires all members with moderator permissions or higher to set up 2FA (two-factor authentication).
- Set up Community Onboarding(optional): Onboarding creates a welcoming experience for new members and is a great way to help engage and retain them in your community.
Further reading: How to Enable Discord Two-Factor Authentication?
If the Partner Programme application is approved, you can enjoy the following rewards:
- Unique Branding
- Partner-only Perks
- Be Recognized
Partner Programme page
Discovery
Becoming an Discovery server can increase the server’s exposure. Anyone has the opportunity to find your server through the “Explore Public Servers” feature.
Applying for an Explore server has certain thresholds that need to be met, including:
- Safe Environment: Enable the community server feature.
- Member Requirements: The server needs to have at least 1,000 members.
- Server Existence Time: The server needs to have been established for more than 8 weeks.
- Server Activity Indicator: The threshold for displaying activity indicators is to first reach at least 200 members.
- No Bad Words: Server names, descriptions, and channel names cannot have obscene words.
- Please enable the “2FA Required for Moderation” Setting: This setting requires all members with moderator permissions or higher to set up 2FA (two-factor authentication).
Further reading: How to Enable Discord Two-Factor Authentication?
Discovery page
Welcome screen
This feature allows you to set a welcome screen that new members can see when they first join the server. You can briefly introduce the server and recommend several popular channels for new members to visit.
Setting up the welcome screen
