Discord is updating its platform policy to increase the visibility of conversations taking place across its largest public communities.
Upcoming Server Web Pages and Search Indexing
Beginning November 16, all of the platform’s Discoverable Servers will receive Server Web Pages. These online hubs will feature basic details about the server, such as a description and summaries of ongoing discussions within public channels. Discord stated that by mid-December, messages posted to these public channels could begin showing up word-for-word on both the Server Web Pages and external search engine results. The company explained that neither the individual channel messages nor the channel summaries will reveal the usernames or avatars of the posters.
According to Discord, the purpose of the update is to make community information more accessible through standard web searches. The change allows Discord pages and messages to appear in search results similarly to how a Reddit thread is discovered.
Privacy Protections and Opt-Out Options
The update applies exclusively to Discoverable Servers, which are large communities with at least 1,000 members that do not require an invitation to join. Private servers, direct messages, and group direct messages will maintain their privacy. However, the update arrives shortly after Discord faced criticism over its age verification policies, potentially sparking fresh concerns regarding user privacy.
Administrators of Discoverable Servers can currently opt out entire channels from appearing on the web. Individual users can also prevent their posts in Discoverable Servers from being indexed by adjusting their preferences in the Data and Privacy section of their User Settings. In specific regions including the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, Australia, and South Korea, channel messages will be excluded by default to comply with local regulations, requiring users in those areas to manually opt in. Furthermore, teen users are excluded from the feature and cannot enable message indexing until they reach adulthood.
