A typical server might have dedicated chat rooms for specific topics (such as “general chat” and “music discussion”) as well as voice channels for specific games or activities. The service allows users to create servers, which can consist of a variety of text and voice channels. Here’s how to get started on Discord, from the basics of making a server to some cool ways you can take advantage of what’s rapidly becoming the internet’s favorite place to hang out.ĭiscord first launched in 2015 as a means for people to easily communicate while playing PC games together. And there are a ton of hidden features and tools for making the most out of the platform that existing users might not know about. “Today, there are millions of diverse communities on Discord, from families staying in touch to study groups doing homework together, communities gathering around a hobby and teams collaborating on the production of podcasts,” said a Discord spokesperson.īut as versatile as Discord is, those coming from services such as Skype and Slack might find there to be a bit of a learning curve. I’ve personally used the service to host online game nights and movie watch-alongs, attend work briefings and even conduct interviews for this very website.

According to the company, about 70% of active Discord users in 2020 reported that they use the platform for nongaming purposes, or a mix of gaming and everyday use. The popular chat app has become an invaluable tool in the wake of the pandemic, providing a seamless place to communicate over text and voice in a world where many of us are spending all of our time at home.ĭiscord is now host to more than 140 million users, and rebranded in 2020 with the simple tagline “Your Place to Talk” - shedding its former identity as an app designed mainly to help gamers communicate while competing in popular PC titles. Over the past year or so, I’ve lived most of my social life on Discord - and I don’t think I’m alone. Your CNN account Log in to your CNN account

Discord web app