Discord to make public server messages searchable online

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 23:27 · Archive

Discord will make messages from its public Discoverable Servers searchable on Google and other search engines from mid-December.

Discord announced it will make messages from its public Discoverable Servers searchable on search engines and via dedicated web pages. From 16 November, each Discoverable Server will have its own web page displaying basic information and automated summaries of discussions in active public channels.

Beginning mid-December, selected messages from these public channels may appear both on the Server Web Pages and in search engine results. Discord said the change aims to make it easier for people to find useful information from communities that might otherwise remain buried in Discord conversations. The platform hosts more than 63,000 Discoverable Servers covering topics from gaming to language learning.

Published messages will not display usernames or avatars, and private servers, direct messages and group direct messages are excluded. Server administrators can choose which channels are included, and individual users can opt out via Discord's Data and Privacy settings. However, in the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia and South Korea, channel messages will be off by default to honour local regulations.

The announcement has sparked privacy concerns. The change applies only to Discoverable Servers, which require at least 1,000 members and are publicly joinable without an invitation.

How it is being reported

• Discord public server messages may be soon searchable on Google, but you can opt outThe platform's Discoverable Servers are about to get a lot more discoverable.Engadget · 27 Oct, 23:04
• Discord is making its public communities more searchable, and people have concernsIn December, messages from Discord's public discoverable servers will begin appearing in search engine results.TechCrunch · 27 Oct, 21:22

In this story: Discord · Google · Reddit · European Union · United Kingdom · Canada · Brazil · Australia

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log