Discord AutoMod is a built-in filter that blocks unwanted messages in text channels, threads and voice channel text chat, and can send alerts to a private channel. Set it up on desktop in Server Settings, then AutoMod, by pressing Set Up on a filter; you need Manage Server or Administrator permission, and it's available for every server.
What surprises server owners, as of October 2026: you can only edit rules on desktop, never mobile. Discord doesn't publish its Commonly Flagged Words lists, and those lists and the spam content filter only work in English. Admins and anyone with Manage Server are always exempt, so testing it on yourself won't show you much.
Every AutoMod filter and its limits
| Filter | What it does | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Commonly Flagged Words | Three ready-made lists: Insults and Slurs, Sexual Content, Severe Profanity | English only, and the lists aren't shown |
| Custom Keywords | Your own list, up to 1,000 terms of up to 60 characters each | Exact phrase only unless you use wildcards |
| Block Spam Content | Machine-learning filter based on messages users reported | Misses repeated spam and friend-request spam |
| Block Mention Spam | Limits mentions per message, up to 50 | You set the limit |
| Member profile names | Blocks words in nicknames and usernames | Members must rename before they can talk |
How to set up a keyword rule
- On desktop, open Server Settings, then AutoMod.
- Press Set Up under Commonly Flagged Words or Custom Keyword Rule.
- Pick the response: block the message with a custom message of up to 150 characters, send an alert to a mod-only channel, and on custom keyword rules, time out the user.
- Choose the private channel your alerts go to.
- Add any exempt roles or channels, then save.
Exempting a channel also exempts its threads and any voice text chat in it. If you need a role just for trusted members to exempt, my guide to making roles on Discord covers setting one up.
There's a quick way to grow your list too. Highlight a word in any message, right-click and choose Flag Word to add it to a rule.
Commonly Flagged Words: ready-made but hidden
These lists save you writing your own, and you can exempt words from them if your community uses one innocently. Discord keeps the lists private so people can't work around them. If AutoMod flags something wrongly, use Report Issues on the alert to tell Discord. Only Custom Keyword Rules work in any language, so for a server that doesn't chat in English, your own list does the heavy lifting.
Custom keywords and wildcards
A custom keyword rule holds up to 1,000 terms, each up to 60 characters. Keywords match anywhere in a message, including inside words, and a multi-word term only matches that exact phrase. Wildcards change how a term matches, by putting * at the start or end:
- cat* (prefix) catches 'cat-sitter'
- *cat (suffix) catches 'bob cat'
- *ana* (anywhere) catches 'bananas'
That last example is the warning. An anywhere wildcard on a short word can block innocent messages, so test it with a few everyday sentences before you rely on it. If wildcards aren't precise enough, AutoMod also supports regular expressions for custom filtering of messages.
Spam filters and what they won't catch
Block Spam Content learns from messages users have reported, such as free Nitro ads and invite spam. Block Mention Spam caps how many mentions one message can contain, with a maximum of 50. Discord's honest about the gaps: the spam filter isn't perfect, and it doesn't catch spam repeated across messages and channels, or friend-request spam.
Blocking words in member names
You can stop people joining with offensive names. Go to Server Settings, then Safety Setup, press Edit next to Auto Mod, choose Members and switch on Block Words in Member Profile Names. A member with a blocked word has to change their nickname, or their username if they can't change their nickname, before they can talk in your server.
If this is on your list, the guide on how to remove a phone number from Discord is the next thing to read.
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How AutoMod treats apps
AutoMod doesn't flag messages from apps installed on your server. It only covers apps installed to a user's own account, and when one of those breaks a rule, it acts on the user who installed it and first used it.
Want the details on the other half? Try the Discord Family Center guide.
My verdict
Switch on the ready-made lists on day one, add a short custom list for the words your community has problems with, and point alerts to a mod-only channel so you can see what it catches. Use anywhere wildcards sparingly. AutoMod won't replace moderators for repeated spam or friend-request spam, so if you need more than this, have a look at my pick of the best Discord bots. New to running a community? Start with how to make a Discord server.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn on AutoMod on Discord?
On desktop, open Server Settings, then AutoMod, and press Set Up under Commonly Flagged Words or Custom Keyword Rule. You need Manage Server or Administrator permission.
Can I set up Discord AutoMod on mobile?
No. AutoMod rules can only be edited on desktop.
How many words can a Discord AutoMod rule have?
A custom keyword rule holds up to 1,000 terms, each up to 60 characters.
Does Discord AutoMod work in other languages?
Custom Keyword Rules work in any language. The Commonly Flagged Words lists and the spam content filter are English only.
Why isn't AutoMod blocking my messages?
Admins and people with Manage Server permission are always exempt, so test with a member account instead.
