Discord servers are communities you join through an invite link, a server directory, or by searching — not something you create yourself to find others
A Discord server is a group chat space where people gather around a shared interest. To join one, you need either an invite link someone sends you, or you can search public directories. Discord does not have a built-in search feature inside the app itself, so most people find servers through external websites, word of mouth, or by following links from streamers, YouTubers, or gaming communities.
The fastest way depends on what you are looking for. If you already know the server name or have a link, joining takes seconds. If you are browsing for new communities, you will use a third-party directory site because Discord's own tools are limited to servers you already know about.
Key Takeaways
- Invite links are the most common way to join — they come from friends, social media, or community websites, and work instantly when you click them.
- Disboard and Discord.me are the two largest public server directories where you can search by topic and see how many members each server has.
- Never share your Discord username or password to join a server, and avoid links from unknown sources that ask you to verify your account.
- Once you join a server, you can mute notifications, leave channels you do not want to see, and leave the server entirely at any time.
Joining through an invite link
An invite link is a URL that looks like discord.gg/abcd1234 or discord.com/invite/abcd1234. When you click it in a browser or paste it into Discord, you are taken directly to the server and can join with one click. No password or verification is needed — just click "Join Server" and you are in.
Invite links come from many places: a friend texts you one, a streamer posts one in their Twitch or YouTube description, a subreddit pins one in the sidebar, or a gaming community website links to their Discord. The link works the same way regardless of where it came from. If the server is full or the link has expired, Discord will tell you and you cannot join that particular link — but the server itself may still be open through a different link.
One safety note: if a link asks you to "verify your account" or "prove you are human" before joining, it is a scam. Legitimate Discord invite links never ask for passwords, email verification, or personal information. Close the page and do not enter anything.
Searching public server directories
Disboard (disboard.org) and Discord.me (discord.me) are the two largest public directories where people list their servers. Both let you search by topic — type "gaming," "art," "anime," or anything else and see a list of servers that match, sorted by member count or newest first.
On Disboard, click a server name to see its description, member count, and a preview of the channels inside. If you want to join, click "Join Server" and you will be taken to the invite link. Discord.me works similarly — search, click a server, and click the invite button. Both sites are free and do not require you to log in to browse, though you can create an account to bookmark servers or list your own.
These directories show only servers that the owner has submitted and kept active. Many private or smaller servers do not appear here, so if you are looking for something very specific, you may not find it through a directory alone. In that case, asking in related communities — Reddit, Twitter, gaming forums — often works better.
Finding servers through communities you already follow
Streamers, YouTubers, and content creators often link their Discord servers in their channel descriptions or during streams. If you follow someone in a game or hobby you care about, their Discord is usually one click away. This is often the easiest route because the server is already built around something you know you like.
Subreddits also frequently link their Discord in the sidebar or pinned posts. If you spend time on r/gaming, r/anime, or any hobby subreddit, the community Discord is usually advertised there. The same goes for gaming forums, fan wikis, and hobby websites — many have a "Join our Discord" link somewhere on the page.
This method is safer than random directory browsing because you are joining a community that already has some reputation. If a streamer or subreddit has thousands of members, the Discord behind it is usually moderated and not a scam.
What to do once you join a server
When you first join, you land in a channel called #general or #welcome. Read the pinned messages and any rules posted there — most servers have guidelines about what is allowed. Some servers require you to introduce yourself or verify that you are not a bot before you can see other channels.
On the left sidebar, you see a list of channels. Click any channel name to read or post messages there. If a channel is not relevant to you, you can mute it so notifications do not pop up, or you can simply ignore it. You do not have to participate in every channel.
If you decide a server is not for you, right-click the server name on the left sidebar and click "Leave Server." You can rejoin later using the same invite link if it is still active, or ask someone to send you a new one.
Avoiding scams and fake servers
Scam servers usually ask you to click a link, enter your Discord password, or "verify your account" to join. Do not do any of these things. Discord never asks for your password through a link or a server message. If someone in a server asks for your password, they are trying to steal your account.
Fake servers sometimes copy the name and icon of a real, popular server to trick people into joining. If you are looking for a specific server, get the invite link directly from the official source — the creator's website, their verified social media account, or a trusted friend — rather than from a random search result.
If you join a server and immediately see messages asking you to click links, buy things, or send money, leave immediately. These are spam or scam servers. You can also report them to Discord by right-clicking the server name and selecting "Report Server."
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search for servers inside the Discord app?
Discord's app does not have a built-in search feature for public servers. You have to use external directories like Disboard or Discord.me, or find links through social media and websites. Once you have an invite link, you can paste it into Discord to join.
Do I need to pay to join a Discord server?
No. Joining any server is free. Some servers may have paid roles or perks (like access to exclusive channels), but joining the server itself costs nothing. If an invite link asks for payment or a credit card, it is a scam.
What if an invite link says it is expired?
Invite links can expire if the server owner set an expiration date, or if the link was only meant for a limited time. Ask the person who sent it for a new link, or search for the server by name on Disboard or Discord.me to find a different invite.
Can I join a server without anyone knowing?
When you join a server, your username appears in the member list. Server moderators can see when you join. You cannot hide your membership, but you can mute the server so you see no notifications, and you can leave at any time.
What if I do not like a server after I join?
Leave it by right-clicking the server name on the left sidebar and clicking "Leave Server." You can rejoin later if you change your mind and still have the invite link. Leaving does not delete your messages — they stay in the server.