How to report a Discord server?
When a server violates Discord’s terms and conditions you have to report it to enjoy a seamless user experience. In this blog, we will find out how to report a Discord server through quick and easy steps.
One of the most popular platforms for gamers, Discord enables the communication between friends, teammates, and community members using VoIP service and text chat channels. In addition to using Discord on a desktop, you can also use it on your mobile devices.
Over the past few years, Discord has witnessed tremendous growth in its users with a lot more servers and channels being created. However, this also opens doors to servers that can be intolerable. Anyone who uses Discord can create their own server and invite people to join them. Most servers are on an invitation-only basis.
Tl;dr - How to report a Discord server?
- To report a Discord server, first you’ll have to obtain that server’s Server ID
- To do that, you’ll have to enable Developer Mode.
- Next, get the Server ID and the User ID of the server and user you wish to report.
- It’s also helpful to have the message link as a reference to prove your misbehavious allegation
- Once you have these resources, you can write report the server.
Table of Contents
- How to report a Discord server?
- List of reasons that can get you reported on Discord
- What do you need before you report a Discord server?
- How to activate Developer Mode to get Server and User IDs?
- How to get IDs you want to report?
- How to get Message Links using a desktop or web app?
- How to get the User ID using a desktop or web app?
- Let’s get to the part of how to report a Discord server!
- How to report a Discord server if you’re a user?
- How to report a Discord server if you’re not a user?
- How to report a Discord server if you’re the parent of a user?
- How to take back a report already filed?
How to report a Discord server?
Since Discord does not stick around to monitor every server activity, it’s on the user to report a server for violations. And given that servers are what make the whole platform, flagging one is not as easy as flagging an individual user. You would need enough evidence to back your claims on why a server should shut down on the platform.
After you submit enough material, Discord’s Trust & Safety team will carry out their investigation. However, before this takes place you must know something, never report a server that is functioning well within the Discord guidelines.
Avoid false accusations that can lead to penalizing or shutting down an entire server and not just an individual user.
List of reasons that can get you reported on Discord
- Do not engage in harassment of others
- Do not promote hate speech or illegal behavior
- Do not use violence or threaten others
- Do not evade user blocks or server bans
- Do not inject viruses or malware into the system
- Do not forget to use an NSFW tag in case of adult content
- Do not sexualize minors
- Do not share explicit content that includes other users without their consent
- Do not share content that promotes suicide, self-harm, animal cruelty, religious extremism
- Do not use a server to sell illegal or potentially dangerous goods
- Do not promote or distribute pirated software, stolen accounts, or content that can cause hacking
- Do not try to sell your account or server
- Do not use self-bots or user-bots to access Discord
- Do not spam
Remember that it is not favorable to report an entire server just because one or two users have violated Discord terms and services. So, reach out to the server owner first. But if the server owner seems to participate or encourage any of the above-mentioned activities, then reporting the server is justified.
What do you need before you report a Discord server?
Because just accusations won’t shut down a server, you will need to prepare a report for the same. Gather necessary details before the information is wiped clean. All these pieces of evidence will support your accusations of how the particular violated a Discord server.
Make sure to collect the following details ASAP:
- Note the Server IDs you plan on reporting as every server contains a different Discord ID. This also helps avoid confusion.
- Next, document the Message Links that will serve as evidence of instances when Discord guidelines were violated. These links are similar to server IDs. To be on the safe side, three such links per server are enough, but if you have more that’s okay as well.
- The User IDs of the individuals who are engaging in illegal behavior. This ID is not like the username which can change, they are permanent.
- In the end, give a brief explanation of the kind of offensive activities that take place on the server. It will help the Trust & Safety team to understand the issue better at the time of the investigation.
However, to secure all these IDs you will have to enable the Developer Mode. So, before you learn how to report a server, know the steps to activate the Developer Mode:
How to activate Developer Mode to get Server and User IDs?
This mode allows developers to access more features in the chat app. Plus, it offers the option to copy Server ID, User ID, and even Message Links. These IDs come in handy when you’re reporting a Discord user or a server.
For Desktop or Web app
Step 1: Launch the Discord app and click on the cog wheel icon in the bottom left of the page to access the settings menu.
Step 2: Scroll to the bottom and click the Advanced option on the left-hand side.
Step 3: After you click Advanced, the options appear on the right-hand side of the page. Turn on the Developer Mode to enable it (when switched on, it shows green).
For Android devices:
Step 1: Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner of the mobile screen.
Step 2: Once you click the icon, scroll down to find the option Appearance from the menu.
Step 3: Scroll down and find the Developer Mode button, toggle the switch to turn it on.
For iOS devices:
Step 1: Click the three lines on the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Next, tap the cog wheel icon on the bottom-right of the screen to open the settings menu.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom and click tap on the Appearance option.
Step 4: You will find the Developer Mode option in the Advanced section. Toggle the button to switch on the Developer Mode.
How to get IDs you want to report?
Once the Developer Mode is enabled on Discord, you can begin taking notes of the IDs you wish to report. Remember, that the process for each ID is different and also depends on the type of device you use.
Getting the Server ID using desktop or web app:
Step 1: Right-click on the server name you wish to report and click on the Copy ID option.
Step 2: The ID contains around 19 digits, note it down on Notepad or Word doc.
For Android devices:
Step 1: Press and hold the server name you want to report.
Step 2: A list of options will show up and at the bottom will be the option Copy ID. Note it down so that you don’t lose it.
For iOS devices:
Step 1: Click the three vertical lines on the top-left corner to open the Menu. If you can already see the server icons on your left then you’re on the right page.
Step 2: Tap the triple-dot icon next to the server’s name and select the Copy ID option and paste the ID number on a sticky note or Word document.
How to get Message Links using a desktop or web app?
Step 1: Hover on the offensive message and click on the triple-dot icon on the right of the message.
Step 2: Select Copy Message Link from the option.
For Android devices:
Step 1: Tap and hold the message to reveal the menu.
Step 2: Choose the Copy a Message Link option and paste it on a Notepad or Word document.
This step is possible only for Android. However, iOS users will have to do it through a PC and follow the steps mentioned above.
If you fail to save the message link and that message is no longer there, then even Discord cannot fetch it for you. Deleted messages are not available in archives or recorded and cannot be retrieved by Discord’s Trust & Safety team either.
While you can still submit the report without the Message Links. The investigation bit will not be as easy for the Trust & Safety team. It’s also likely that the violating servers will get off without any penalty as there’s nothing to back your accusations.
How to get the User ID using a desktop or web app?
Step 1: Right-click on the username that violated Discord guidelines
Step 2: Select Copy ID option at the bottom of the list and paste on a Notepad.
Remember, as mentioned earlier, the User ID remains the same regardless of the times a username changes.
For iOS or Android devices:
Step 1: While on the server select the user who you'd want to report for violations.
Step 2: Once you've found the user, tap their profile.
Step 3: Scroll to the bottom of the list and select the Copy ID option.
Let’s get to the part of how to report a Discord server!
After collecting the necessary details, fill out the form to report against a Discord server. These are the sections present in the form:
- What can we help you with? – Select Trust & Safety.
- Your Email Address – Mention the email ID that’s linked to your Discord account.
- Report Type – Select relevant answers (harassment, spam, appeals, etc.)
- Description – Describe the reason you are reporting the server. You can also paste IDs in this box.
- Attachments – Upload your evidence in this space, like a word document with all the saved IDs and Message Links.
There’s a Subject box to fill and after you have done the needful, click on Submit. This is where your job ends and Discord’s Trust & Safety department team steps into action.
How to report a Discord server if you’re a user?
When there’s a violation from a server, it’s wise to contact the moderators. However, you can also block users who are offensive. But, if a user offended you via text then reaching out to moderators does not make sense, instead fill out the Report Form.
Mention what happened and include Message Links for clarity and let the Discord team investigate the matter. You will receive an email as a confirmation and then there will be another email when the team conducts an investigation into the matter.
How to report a Discord server if you’re not a user?
Even people who don’t use Discord can report a particular user or a server. All they have to do is click this link to fill out the report form for their grievances.
How to report a Discord server if you’re the parent of a user?
If you’re the parent of a Discord user then mention the same while filling out the Report Form.
After you click the option of “Appeals, age update, other questions,” there’s another drop-down. Choose “I’m the parent or guardian of a user.”
Detail the problem or violation your child is facing in the form and follow the same steps mentioned above and gather IDs and Message Links.
There’s also another section for parents and guardians that will help them understand the platform better.
How to take back a report already filed?
Similar to the filing process, the retracting bit is also complex. Further, submitting a false report is not encouraged as it violates Discord’s Terms & Services. To resolve this goof-up, drop a message on Discord’s official Twitter handle from your desktop, Android, or iOS device. Just give a brief explanation about the situation and provide your email ID linked to your Discord account. This is so that the team can track your report easily.
Meanwhile, those who are using Discord through a desktop or the web app can submit another request to the support team. Inform them about the issue and let the team help you from there on.