What is Discord and How does Discord Work? - A Beginner's Guide to Discord
Many internet users wonder, "What is Discord?" and "How does Discord work?" We answer said questions in this blog.
Discord, launched in 2015, is a software platform that supports text, video, and voice chat. Its development focused on resolving communication glitches gamers experienced while interacting online.
You don't want broken audio while taking down the final boss in co-op games. Discord's user-friendliness and smooth performance gave it the spotlight quickly.
LAN tournament gamers and esports adopted it, and the subreddit extended their communities on Discord. Now, Discord has tens of millions of users interacting in diverse communities.
Their talk involves many things, including art projects, software development, crypto, anime, and music. Discord users gather on servers to promote their shared interests.
This opens access to Discord native features like channels and tags. Let's dig into Discord and how the platform works.
TLDR
Discord is a social platform that supports real-time texting, voice, and video calls. It's used across diverse industries like gaming, crypto, soft development, and business.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Discord Features
Discord allows people to build and manage public and private spaces. Let's consider Discord features that support fun interaction.
Servers
A Discord server is an avenue for friend groups and specific communities. It contains channels that is subdivided into two categories, text and voice channels.
A server can support millions of members. Genshin Impact server (a video game forum) was one of the first servers to see one million members.
Servers can go above 10k members with the "Server Cap" increase. This allows you to go past 250k members.
Discord also allows you to create your own server. You can use Discord server templates from friends or predesigned templates readily available in the Discord app.
Users can make servers private or public. Private servers allow new members in by invite only. People can search and join public servers on the Discord app or by public invite links.
Create a server using the "+" on the
Discord Channels
Members interact via voice or text channels. A text channel lets you share images, messages, emojis, GIFs, and threads.
For instance, members may create threads to share temporary messages that disappear after a specific timeframe.
Discord text channels also support markdown for text formatting like bolded, italicized, underlined, and colored messages. Furthermore, forum channels enable organized conversations within a channel.
Voice channels are cool for video streaming and voice chats.
Stage channels, a type of voice channel, allow select members to speak to an audience during audio events. They are effective for Townhalls, Fireside Chats, Reading Groups, and AMAs.
Discord Nitro and Server Boosts
Server members get special perks, buying a Discord Nitro subscription plan (Nitro and Nitro basic). Discord Nitro enables users to upload bigger files, use custom emojis in any server, access more interesting activities, and set up HD video streaming. Additionally, nitro subscribers gain two server boosts.
Server Boosts improves server performance. It increases voice chat quality and unlocks the ability to upload animated server icons.
Server boost and some other features are unavailable in the Nitro basic plan. Nitro and Nitro basic cost $2.99 and $9.99 per month, respectively.
Messages and Calls
Aside from interacting in voice and text channels, you can send direct messages to other Discord users.
Discord direct messages (DMs) support screen sharing, text chat, and video calls. Unlike many social media sites, Discord DMs go beyond one-0n-one discussion.
You can invite friends for group DM (GDM). GDMs are private and support up to ten people.
Developer Tools
Discord is a go-to space for video game players seeking to stay ahead of the trend in the gaming community. This calls for Discord to be available on other software and gaming platforms.
Discord's GameBridge API allows game developers to integrate Discord with their gaming service. This allows gamers to join each other's video games via Discord. Additionally, players can display their game progression or activity in their Discord profile.
Have you ever heard of Discord bots and how they power up chat rooms? Discord offers discord.js, enabling devs and server users control bots via the Discord API.
How Does Discord Work
Discord provides desktop and mobile apps. This makes it accessible on larger PC screens or on-the-go via smartphone devices.
The social network uses React for its iOS, web, and desktop versions. The Android app incorporates React Native tech.
Discord client, developed with the Electron framework, functions as an installed PC app. Discord's backend is built with Python, Elixir, Go, C++, and Rust.
The software integrates several technologies to improve voice calls. For instance, the Opus audio file enables Discord to compress speech.
Plus, the mobile app utilizes Krisp audio-processing tech to suppress noise. This improves the user's experience across text, voice or video chat channels.
We have an overview of Discord's tools and tech. Let's see why people love the chat app.
Discord Servers: What Makes Them Unique?
Community servers, private or public Discord servers, are an integral aspect of Discord. They function as social forums where members can take on active roles to grow the community.
For instance, server owners might assign moderator (mod) roles to certain members. Mods ensure servers are free of spam or abusive content. Explore Public servers by clicking on the Compass icon on the left pane. OR press Ctrl+K to search for and open servers you belong to.
Furthermore, users can build their own Discord server by selecting the "+" icon.
Are you on multiple servers and struggling with information overload? Follow the announcement channels in selected Discord servers.
This sends updates to a preferred channel in your server. Remember to enable Webhook Permission to receive notifications.
Connect Accounts and Make Friends
Discord enables members to link accounts on other platforms to their profiles. This includes Twitch, Xbox, PlayStation, Crunchyroll, Twitter, and more.
Members can connect with other users active on a specific social media site that they use. For instance, Xbox gamers can find new friends interested in Xbox games.
Use the Add Friend button at the top of Discord to find friends. Input the correct Discord tag (it's case-sensitive) to access the right profile. You can send friend requests and fire up a direct message once accepted.
Check "All" under "Friends" to see a list of all Discord friends. Want to chat with them about the latest PC games? Check "Online" to see the cool kids currently active on Discord.
"Pending" shows friend requests that are yet to be accepted. And "Blocked" lists friends you kept out of your circle.
Use Server: Chat, Go Live, and Be Heard
Discord's chat service lets members send catchy messages. You can increase font and spacing between message groups.
React to messages using emojis. Hover on a message and tap the "Add Reaction" button to attach an emoji to the text. Plus, GIFs and memes are vital ingredients usable for fun Discord chat.
Want to Go Live? Begin a Discord voice chat and click the "Share Your Screen" button. Other members will see an indicator that you're "live" and can join in.
This is cool when playing video games and you want to share the adventure with other members. Streaming is available in videos like 720p at 30 fps and 4k at 60 fps. Server members using Discord Nitro can improve video quality.
Multiple streaming can occur in different voice chat channels at once. Tap on the Microphone icon to mute/unmute and the Headset icon to enable/disable voice communication from other members.
Note: a voice call is possible with friends outside a Discord server. Discord's DM and GDM enable this.
How to Use Discord for Business
Discord provides the tools you need to build a vibrant business community. You can host events, reward customers, and assign roles to loyal members.
Plus, there are no ads, and members don't have to deal with annoying popups.
Let's consider how to use Discord to build a healthy business community.
Host Events
Discord events power up real-time interactions. This keeps customers updated about an upcoming product launch or service upgrade. Here's what you can include in a Discord event:
Contests and giveaways. Bring the excitement online, live-streaming raffles and announcing contest winners.
Customize Members' Experience
Personalize the experience of community members. Assign VIP roles to longtime subscribers. Apply @role in the text field to notify members of the said role.
Gain Community Insight
Data about the community is essential to improving business products or services. And Discord lets you access it in a few clicks. Navigate to Server Settings > Server Insights.
Note: you've to enable "community" to access data in the "Server Insights" section.
Manage Server Activities
Servers often encounter problematic users. Having admins and mods on ground can help you address them properly. Plus, Discord support is available for safety concerns.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Discord:
Why is Discord so popular?
Discord is so popular because it's a cool online spot for streamers and gamers to interact and play together.
How does Discord earn money?
Discord makes money via its monthly or annual subscription plans. This includes the Discord Nitro Classic and Basic plans.
Does Discord cost money?
No, it doesn't charge to open a Discord account or run a server on the platform.
How much does it cost to start a Discord (server)?
There's no cost for running a Discord server. It's free.
Who is the owner of Discord?
Jason Citron is the co-founder of Discord. He also doubles as the platform's CEO.
What country is Discord from?
Discord is a US-based company headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Is Discord Chinese owned?
No, Discord is not a Chinese-owned company. Though, it has raised investment from Tencent Holdings (a Chinese multinational tech company)
How many people use Discord daily?
About 14 million people actively use Discord daily.