Discord

Discord is a social media platform designed for communities to communicate efficiently within larger groups. Discord facilitates private and public conversations between users. Users can share their thoughts and opinions through text, video, image sharing, and replies. Discord users can interact and engage with each other through replies and visual reactions to posts. Discord is most commonly used within the gaming community and online businesses, providing vital tools for users to connect online.

The purpose of Discord is to allow users to connect with their community online. Discord fosters an environment where users with the same interests can find each other and communicate through text messages, voice chats, and video chats.

Benefits of Discord

• Networking –Users can easily send friend requests through mutual servers or group chats
• Accessibility –Discord is a desktop, web, and mobile application.
• Integration –Discord users can link their other social media accounts allowing themselves to be easier to find through Discord.
• Bots –Automated programs that add users by performing tasks such as moderating content, providing notifications, and enhancing user experience within Discord.
• Community Building –Discord allows organizations within the platform to have topic-specific discussions, building a stronger sense of community.
• Discovery –Discord provides server discovery features which help users find servers and groups that match their interests making it easy to join and find new communities.
• Free –The core features of Discord are free, where there are premium features available through Discord Nitro, users with the free account are able to enjoy the online platform.

Discord is a social media platform designed to allow users to interact remotely, with the ability to communicate through text, streaming, voice, and video chats. Discord is an amazing platform to break the distance barrier for their users. This allows people and businesses to connect with others and even host events online.

Features of Discord

• Voice and Video Chats –Discord users are able to have voice and video calls between other users in direct messages or in server channels. Within the voice and video chats, users can stream and share their screen with anyone in the call.
• Customization –Users are able to add custom emoji, stickers, soundboard effects to add more personality to their text or voice chat. These customizations allow for Discord users to incorporate their personality into the platform.
• Direct Messaging –Discord users can message each other through Users are able to create group chats, with a limit of 10 people maximum per group chat.
• Servers and Channels –Servers can have up to 500,000 members. Server owners can grant permissions and different roles to other users, granting various access levels and control over the server’s content.
• Bots –Discord supports different bots that can moderate content or provide entertainment. This improves the satisfaction of Discord users and allows them to stay and engage with the platform longer.
• Community and Moderation Tools –There are customizable welcome messages to help foster a welcoming community for new members. There are also guidelines, and servers can implement a joining process that ensures that joining members are credible Discord users. These features allow server owners to maintain a healthy community.

Direct messaging versus Servers

Direct messaging channels differ from servers as the biggest difference is the size. The maximum number of accounts that can be part of the same group chat is 10 members whereas up to 500,000 members. Direct messages through Discord are similar to the direct messages sent in other social media platforms and servers tend to be used like text-based social media platforms where users share and publish their thoughts through text.

Joining A Server

There are many different ways that Discord users can join servers. Servers are a place for communities to connect and talk about similar interests. Here is a list of the various ways users can enter a server:

• Invitation Link: This is the most common way to join a server. Links can be shared by the server’s admin or members. Links will send the user directly to the server’s join page. Some limitations include an expiry date and limited number of uses per link.
• Discord Server Directory: Users can directly find other servers with similar interests through the platform. The server discovery feature is only available in Discord's desktop and web versions. Users are able to browse categories or search for specific topics and join public servers.
• Joining via Friend: Discord members of a server can share an invitation link with other Discord friends.
• QR Code: Some servers can provide a QR code for mobile devices to allow users to scan and join Discord servers.
• Third-party Websites: Many websites might have lists or advertise their Discord servers based on category or popularity, which allows users to find servers through platforms outside of Discord.

*Note: Before joining a Discord server, users might be prompted to verify their account to prevent spam and malicious activity. During the verification process, users are about to read and agree to the server rules.

Linking other Social Media Accounts on Discord

Users can integrate their other social media accounts with their Discord accounts. Services like YouTube, Twitch, Spotify, Reddit, TikTok, Facebook, X, and Instagram are compatible with Discord. Linking multiple social media accounts is beneficial as it allows friends and followers easy access to follow on other social media platforms. Users can link their other accounts on Discord by following these steps:

1. Clicking on the user settings
2. Find ‘Connections’
3. Users can see which social media accounts they have linked already. Users are also able to add accounts to their profile by clicking on the icon of the application they want to link and then signing in and agreeing to link the two accounts.

**Note: Users can choose whether they want the connection displayed on their profile. Anyone on a mutual server or direct message can see any visible connections if they are shown on their profile.

Building a business using Discord

Many different tools are available for brands and businesses to build their brand and strengthen their community. Discord is a versatile platform that can benefit users mainly due to the ability to connect and host events remotely. Here are some ways businesses can use Discord:

• Collaboration: Users can share files within channels, allowing everyone to have access to certain documents. Discord’s voice and video calls allow users to hold meetings or have quick check-ins within the work team. Discord servers can be organized with separate channels for different projects, focusing discussions on the appropriate topic.
• Customer Support: Users can utilize bots to add customer service by creating support channels where customers can ask questions and receive support. Bots can be used to handle common questions, direct customers to the appropriate resources, or send the customer to human resources if needed.
• Community Building: Businesses can ask their community questions or customer feedback to improve their services and enhance their customer satisfaction. Online events can be hosted through Discord to allow members to participate remotely and engage with the community. Members can be encouraged to engage and interact through polls and surveys which help gather feedback.
• Marketing: Discord servers can share news, provide updates and promote content. Networking events can be created to network virtually and connect with potential partners and clients.