To find Discord servers, open the Discover icon (the compass) at the bottom of your server list on desktop, choose the Servers tab, then browse a category or type a keyword into the search bar. On mobile, tap the Discover icon at the bottom of the app to browse categories. Any server that isn't listed there can only be joined with an invite link from someone inside it.
Two things trip people up. First, Discord says the Discover tab is still rolling out, so some accounts see it and some don't yet. Second, Discord's help page says the search box in the Servers tab works on desktop only for now; on a phone you can browse categories but not search by keyword. If you want to search, use the desktop app or Discord in a web browser.
The catch: most servers can't be searched at all. Only Community servers that meet Discord's Discovery rules appear, and Discord's own checklist asks for at least 1,000 members, a server that's at least 8 weeks old, enough activity, two-factor authentication for moderators and a clean name and description. Small friend groups and new communities never show up, however good they are.
Search for servers on desktop
- Open the Discord app or Discord in your browser and sign in.
- Look at the column of round server icons on the far left and scroll to the bottom.
- Click the Discover icon. On some versions it looks like a compass.
- Select the Servers tab if it isn't already open.
- Click a category in the bar (gaming, music, entertainment, education and so on) or type what you like into the search bar and press Enter.
- Click a server to preview it. You can look around before you decide.
- Press Join when you're happy. The server's icon appears in your list.
Browse servers on the mobile app
- Open Discord on your Android phone or iPhone.
- Tap the Discover icon in the bar at the bottom of the app.
- Open the Servers tab.
- Swipe through the category bar at the top and tap one that fits.
- Tap a server to preview it, then tap Join.
Discord moves its icons now and then. If you can't spot Discover, search the app for the word, or try updating Discord, because the tab only appears for accounts that have the feature switched on.
Why your favourite server isn't in Discover
Discord splits servers into two types. Friend servers are invite-only spaces for small groups. Community servers have extra moderation tools, but Discord says turning Community on still doesn't let anyone find the server: people need an invite. Only Community servers that apply for Discovery and pass the checklist become searchable.
The list is also sorted by popularity, based on member count, so smaller servers sit lower even when they qualify. And Discord's Discovery Guidelines say anything listed publicly has to be suitable for ages 13 and up, with no graphic or sexual content, so whole categories of servers will never be listed there. If you're unsure whether you're old enough for a server you've been invited to, check my page on the Discord age requirement.
Other places people find Discord servers
Outside Discover, almost every server is found through an invite link someone shares. These are the usual places to look, all of which you'd search for by name:
- Official channels of a game, app or creator. Most games, streamers, podcasts and YouTubers post their server invite on their website, in a video description or in their social bios. This is the safest route because the link comes from the owner.
- Server listing websites. Independent sites list thousands of servers with tags and short descriptions. They're useful for niche hobbies but anyone can post there, so quality varies.
- Subreddits. Many subreddits for games, fandoms and hobbies link to a server in their sidebar or pinned post.
- Friends. A friend in a server can create an invite for you from inside it.
Once you have a link, my guide on how to join a Discord server walks you through pasting it into the plus button at the bottom of your server list.
Compare the routes
| Route | What you'll find | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Discover tab (desktop) | Large, moderated public communities you can search by keyword | Only qualifying Community servers; search isn't on mobile yet |
| Discover tab (mobile) | The same servers, browsed by category | No keyword search during the rollout |
| A game's or creator's official page | Their own server, run by their team | Copycat accounts posting look-alike links |
| Server listing sites | Small and niche servers that never reach Discover | Fake invites, spam servers, adult servers with no age check |
| Subreddits | Fan and hobby servers linked by moderators | Links in random comments rather than the pinned post |
| Friends | Private and small servers | Very little, as long as you know the person |
Stay safe with invite links
Scam servers copy the name and logo of a popular game or crypto project, then ask you to verify, connect a wallet or log in through an outside page. A real server never needs your password or a code from your phone. If a newly joined server asks for either, leave it. Also be wary of direct messages from strangers offering free Nitro, prizes or a job. When you open an invite link, Discord lets you switch off direct messages from that server's members before you accept, and I'd do that anywhere new.
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Keep an eye on numbers too. Discord's help centre says you can be in up to 100 servers on a free account, so joining lots of servers you only peek at fills that limit quickly. My page on the Discord server limit explains what happens when you hit it.
What I'd do
Start with the official server of a game, creator or tool you already use, because the link comes straight from the owner. Then use Discover on desktop to search for one hobby at a time, preview before you join, and leave anything that asks you to verify outside Discord.
Frequently asked questions
Can you search for any Discord server?
No. Only Community servers that qualify for Discovery are searchable. Every other server is invite-only, so you need a link from someone inside it.
Why can't I see the Discover icon on Discord?
Discord says the Discover tab is still rolling out to a share of users. Update the app, try Discord in a web browser, or look for a compass icon at the bottom of your server list.
Can I search for Discord servers on my phone?
Not by keyword at the moment. Discord's help page says the Servers search is desktop only during the rollout, though you can browse categories on mobile.
How many members does a server need to be in Discover?
Discord's Enabling Server Discovery page lists at least 1,000 members, along with being at least 8 weeks old and meeting activity and safety rules.
