Discord was initially
launched in 2015 to offer gamers a platform where they could communicate freely
and form tight-knit communities around their interests. According to a survey,
it was ranked as the 11th most popular mobile social networking application in
the United States, reaching 8.03% of mobile users.
But over the last year
or so, Discord has become the go-to chat app for people of all sorts of
backgrounds and niches. From Bitcoin enthusiasts to reptile lovers, you will
find all kinds of communities.
As a result, there are
currently 31,309 websites using Discord, justifying its revenue of $120 million
in 2020. Discord's popularity has rightly risen over the years, with its
privacy features and easy-to-use interface.
What is Discord?
Discord has everything
you need in good communication software with its voice chats, video calls, and
text options. This allows users to get in touch with each other, which works
perfectly for players to build communities, coordinate, and talk while playing.
Primarily, it is a
chat app that makes chatting while gaming on PC very convenient. However, it is
not only used by gamers, as many people use it as a social and organizational
tool.
This last year,
Discord has become the default destination for Youtubers, influencers and
Instagramers who want to create a community around their content and connect
with the public in a more meaningful way.
How does Discord work and what can
it be used for?
Discord is simply
communication software that allows users to message or call each other. There
are different communities on it, and each one is called a server, with
individual text and voice channels that you can join. You can write, voice chat
and share videos, links, images, music, etc.
You will see that each
channel has a unique theme or rules; for example, one channel may be dedicated
to gaming while another to sharing photos of dogs, etc.
Discord serves as a
social forum where people form private or public servers and discuss their
common interests. You can even create your own server if you can't find one
worth joining for free. Try a Google search to find discord servers on your
preferred topic, or use the app's own search engine to find a new channel.
Who doesn't like GIFs?
Discord allows you to
add GIFs to your chats or mark your messages as spoilers using the
"/giphy" or "/spoiler" commands, respectively.
It also allows you to
get in touch with other people and directly send them a message to have a video
or voice chat with them. Furthermore, it can also connect to other apps like
Spotify or YouTube to enhance your experience.
No matter what other
activity you are doing, you can use Discord along with it. For example, if your
friends want to play a game, you can all launch the same Discord server and use
any device to access it. You can talk about your friends' skills in Mortal
Combat or Street Fighter at your leisure, no one will judge you!
Interestingly, stock
traders and investors have also jumped on the bandwagon because it allows them
to multitask and stay connected like a pro.
As if these features
weren't enough, Discord is free to download
and use. And if you like the Discord experience, you can always upgrade and
subscribe to Discord Nitro.
What makes Discord stand out?
There is a reason why
Discord has managed to gather over 300 million registered users as of June
2020. Although you can find many communication tools, the variety of chat
options makes Discord stand out from the rest.
1. User-friendly interface
Aren't we all looking
for a user-friendly interface in the apps or websites we use?
Discord has a good
user interface along with all the best features of communication apps like
Slack and Skype. It also works hard to make voice chat more efficient so that
it's really helpful while playing the game.
2. Provide a social forum
One of the best things
about Discord is that it is more than just communication software. Users take
advantage of its chat options to meet and talk with other like-minded people,
making it a great social media platform.
This means that
Discord isn't just good for gamers. You can use the private server to interact
with your friends or the public ones to make new ones.
3. Establish member roles
Another advantage of
Discord is that you can use several ways to set up your server when you create
one. You can set different roles for community members, such as making one for
other moderators and administrators or special roles for the most active users.
This makes your server
easier to manage, while the experience is quite rewarding for active users.
4. Accessibility
As you will read
below, one of the best things about Discord is that you can use it even if you
don't have a gaming PC in front of you. The web and mobile versions are
relatively easy to use. At the same time, the downloadable program for PC runs
in the background while you play the game.
You can use their chat
servers to interact with people from virtually anywhere thanks to the multitude
of platforms available.
Where can you use Discord?
Whether you have
Windows or Mac, you can effortlessly download and use the app.
You can also use it in
the browser on its official website, although there are some limitations. For
example, you will not be able to detect audio devices or a webcam and the
screen sharing function to broadcast desktops or windows to other people.
If you want to use it
on the go, try the iOS and Android apps that offer relatively similar features
to desktop. They have recently added screen sharing to the mobile application version, making it
accessible to everyone.
How to start using Discord?
Follow the guide below
if you want to join Discord:
1. Create a Discord account
Once you have
downloaded Discord on your device, click on the sign up link option and create
an account. Fill in the fields with the relevant information, including the
email you will use. Next, create a username and password, and press the
"Continue" button to proceed.
!! Congratulations!!
You have entered the world of Discord. Please check your email to verify your
account so you can enjoy all the features of this app. In case you have not
received it, please click the resend button.
2. Join a server
Creating your account
is just the beginning. Let's get to the most exciting part, which is joining a
server.
The first and most
important thing is to find the perfect server to join, as there are many
resources available. You can find different server communities through the
search option. You can optimize your search by typing a keyword to find one
focused on a topic of interest to you.
You will see servers
appear once you type your keyword. You just have to click on the display card
of the one that suits your interests. It is also possible to view the server
before joining, and if you like, you can select the "Join Server"
option.
A small icon will be
added near the magnifying glass and plus signs on the screen representing the
server you have joined; click on it to rejoin the server whenever you want.
3. Add friends
Adding friends is
another interesting part of Discord, which luckily is very simple. Follow the
simple guide to do it.
In the
"Friends" tab, you can see the options on the board. Click the green
"Add Friend" button to add someone. A screen will appear asking you
to enter your username and friend number. Hit the "Send Friend
Request" option after this, and you've added your first friend!
You can find your
username along with the number at the bottom of your dashboard, which you can
let a friend know who wants to add you.
Conclusion
As you may have already
deduced from the above, Discord is a very interesting and useful application.
It is not only intended for communication, but also for building a social
platform where you can meet other people and form communities around the same
interests.
Discord FAQ
1. Why is Discord so popular?
Discord offers good
basic functionality for free, while the full version is quite affordable as
well. The chat is ad-free, allowing young people to become part of their
favorite gaming communities.
2. Is it safe to use Discord?
Use the proper control
and privacy settings to make sure your Discord is safe. However, to be extra
careful, only accept friend requests from people you know.
3. Is it free to use Discord?
If you don't want
premium features, you can download and use Discord for free on your devices.