Discord’s Public Server Messages Could Become Google Searchable—Here’s How to Opt Out

Discord is implementing a new policy that will enhance the visibility of interactions within its largest public communities. Starting November 16, all Discoverable Servers will feature dedicated Server Web Pages. These pages will provide essential details about the server, such as a brief description and summaries of discussions from their public channels. By mid-December, Discord plans to make the messages from these channels searchable online, appearing verbatim on both Server Web Pages and in search engine results. Importantly, the usernames and avatars of the message posters will not be shown.

The platform’s rationale behind this update is to facilitate easier access to information from these communities in online searches. Essentially, users may begin to find Discord pages and messages similar to how they would encounter Reddit threads in search results.

This update exclusively affects Discoverable Servers, which are sizable groups of at least 1,000 members that can be joined without an invitation. Private servers, direct messages, and group chats will remain confidential. However, following recent criticism regarding its age verification procedures, this move may spark new discussions regarding privacy on the platform.

Administrators of Discoverable Servers can take measures now if they wish to exclude certain channels from being displayed online. Additionally, individual users have the option to prevent their posts in Discoverable Servers from being indexed, which can be adjusted in the Data and Privacy section of Discord’s settings. In specific regions—including the EU, UK, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and South Korea—channel messages will be disabled by default to comply with local laws; therefore, users in these areas will need to opt in to this feature. Furthermore, teenage users on Discord will not have access to enable channel messages until they reach adulthood.