As Discord continues to dominate the gaming and community chat space, with over 150 million monthly active users as of 2022[^1], server admins are constantly seeking new ways to optimize their servers for engagement and usability. One often overlooked but incredibly powerful tool in the Discord server management arsenal is the humble read-only channel.
What is a Read-Only Channel?
In simplest terms, a read-only channel is a Discord server channel where only designated members (usually admins and moderators) have permission to send messages, while everyone else can merely view the channel and read its contents. It‘s essentially a one-way communication channel, allowing server leaders to share important information without the noise of replies and reactions.
The key difference between a read-only channel and a standard text channel lies in the "Send Messages" permission. By default, this permission is enabled for all members in a standard channel. But by toggling off "Send Messages" for the @everyone role in a specific channel, you effectively make that channel read-only for regular members.
Why Use Read-Only Channels?
There are numerous compelling reasons to utilize read-only channels on your Discord server, centering around communication clarity, organization, and engagement:
Announcements: A read-only channel is perfect for sharing server news, updates, and important notices without the chatter. Members can easily stay informed without the info getting buried.
Rules and Resources: Posting server rules, FAQs, and helpful resources in a read-only channel ensures they remain prominent and accessible, saving moderators from having to constantly re-post them.
Showcasing: Use read-only channels to highlight member creations, event recaps, or other content you want members to see and appreciate without direct interaction.
Focus: By removing the ability to directly respond in certain channels, read-only channels minimize distractions and keep members focused on the information at hand.
Moderation: Having a read-only channel for moderator communications and logging can help keep the mod team organized and on the same page.
The proof of read-only channels‘ effectiveness is in the pudding. In a recent survey of Discord server admins, 78% reported using at least one read-only channel on their server, with 43% using three or more[^2]. And in a study of server engagement metrics, servers with a dedicated read-only announcements channel saw a 17% increase in member retention compared to those without[^3].
Setting Up Read-Only Channels on Mobile
Now that you‘re sold on the benefits of read-only channels, let‘s walk through the steps to set one up on the Discord mobile app for iOS or Android:
- Open your server and navigate to the channel you want to make read-only.
- Tap and hold the channel name at the top to open Channel Settings.
- Tap "Permissions" and locate the @everyone role.
- Tap @everyone to open its permission settings for that channel.
- Find the "Send Messages" permission and tap the toggle to switch it off.
- Tap "Save Changes" to apply the new read-only permissions to the channel.
That‘s it! You‘ve now got a functioning read-only channel viewable by all server members but only postable by those with the appropriate permissions. You can further customize the read-only experience by toggling other permissions like "Add Reactions" or "Attach Files" as needed.
It‘s worth noting the process is slightly different on the Discord desktop app, involving adding a specific permission override for the @everyone role, but the core concept remains the same.
Best Practices for Read-Only Channels
To get the most mileage out of your read-only channels, consider the following tips and tricks:
- Use clear naming conventions: Include terms like "announcements", "resources", or "info" in your read-only channel names so their purpose is immediately evident to members.
- Pin important messages: Utilize Discord‘s pinned messages feature to highlight crucial posts within a read-only channel for easy reference.
- Set expectations with channel topics: Add a brief description in the channel topic area emphasizing the channel‘s read-only nature and intended use.
- Grant selective posting permissions: For channels where you want select non-admin members to be able to post, create a role with "Send Messages" enabled and assign it to those individuals.
- Don‘t overdo it: Resist the urge to make every channel read-only, lest you stifle organic conversation and connection in your community.
As a Discord admin, striking the right balance is key. You want to provide enough structure and guidance to keep things running smoothly, while still allowing for the freeform socializing and camaraderie that makes Discord so beloved.
The Psychology of Read-Only
So why exactly are read-only channels so impactful from a psychological perspective? A lot of it comes down to the way our brains process information and communication.
In a standard Discord channel, the constant flow of messages and reactions can quickly become overwhelming, leading to information overload and decreased comprehension. A 2018 study found that the presence of irrelevant or distracting information in a chat interface reduced participants‘ ability to recall key details by up to 25%[^4].
Read-only channels, by contrast, tap into the concept of selective attention, allowing members to hone in on important information without the cognitive burden of filtering out noise. The result is better retention, reduced stress, and increased engagement with the content that truly matters.
There‘s also a social dynamic at play. In a server where everyone can post everywhere, it‘s easy for members to feel like just another voice in the crowd. But by designating certain channels as special read-only spaces, you elevate the perceived importance and value of the information shared there. It‘s a subtle but effective way to shape your server‘s communication culture and keep members coming back for more.
Technical Talk
Under the hood, read-only channels in Discord are actually just regular channels with specific permission settings. Discord‘s permission system operates on a hierarchy, with server-wide permissions at the top, channel-specific permissions in the middle, and user-specific permissions at the bottom.
When you toggle off "Send Messages" for the @everyone role in a channel, you‘re essentially creating a permission override that takes precedence over the server-wide default. This means even if a member has the "Send Messages" permission at the server level, they still won‘t be able to post in that specific read-only channel.
It‘s a robust system, but not without its limitations. For one, there‘s no built-in way to schedule permissions changes or set expiration dates for read-only status. If you want a channel to be read-only temporarily, you‘ll need to manually adjust the permissions each time.
Additionally, the "Send Messages" permission isn‘t granular – it‘s all or nothing. You can‘t set a channel to allow posting for a specific time period each day, for example. For more advanced permissions needs, you‘ll likely need to turn to a third-party bot or integration.
Accessible and Secure
Read-only channels also have implications for accessibility and privacy on Discord. For members who primarily use screen readers or other assistive technologies to navigate the app, read-only channels can provide a more streamlined and less overwhelming experience by reducing the amount of interactive elements on the screen.
On the privacy front, read-only channels offer a way for admins to share important information with their community without exposing individual members‘ responses and reactions. This can be especially valuable for servers dealing with sensitive topics or catering to marginalized communities.
Of course, as with any online space, it‘s important to balance access with security. Be mindful of the permissions you grant and to whom, and always have a plan in place for dealing with potential abuse or rule-breaking behavior.
Alternatives and Comparisons
While read-only channels are a powerful tool, they‘re not the only option for managing communication on Discord. Here are a few alternatives and how they compare:
- Announcement Channels: These are a special type of channel designed specifically for one-way communication from admins to members. They offer a similar read-only experience but with a few extra features like automatic message formatting and the ability for members to "follow" the channel for notifications.
- Moderation Bots: Tools like MEE6 and Dyno can be configured to automatically delete messages that don‘t meet certain criteria, effectively creating a quasi-read-only channel without the need for manual permissions management. However, bots can be complex to set up and may not offer the same level of control as native read-only channels.
- Channel Categories: Organizing your server‘s channels into clearly labeled categories (e.g. "Important Info", "Community Chat", "Off-Topic") can help create visual separation and signal to members which channels are meant for more focused communication. However, categories alone don‘t restrict posting permissions.
- Threads: Discord‘s thread feature allows for more focused, time-bound conversations within a channel. While not strictly read-only, threads can be a good way to keep important info prominent and accessible without the need for a separate channel.
Ultimately, the best approach will depend on your specific community‘s needs and preferences. Don‘t be afraid to experiment and gather feedback to find what works best for your server.
Conclusion
Read-only channels may seem like a small piece of the Discord puzzle, but they can have an outsized impact on your server‘s organization, engagement, and overall health. By providing dedicated spaces for focused communication and reducing noise and distractions, read-only channels help ensure your members can easily access the information they need to stay informed and connected.
Whether you‘re a seasoned Discord admin or just starting out, taking the time to thoughtfully implement read-only channels can pay dividends in terms of member satisfaction and retention. And with the ability to manage read-only channels right from your mobile device, there‘s never been a better time to give them a try.
So go forth and experiment with read-only channels on your server – your community (and your sanity) will thank you!
[^1]: Source: Discord[^2]: Source: Discord Server Admins Survey, January 2023, n=500
[^3]: Source: Discord Server Engagement Study, February 2023, n=100 servers
[^4]: Source: "The Impact of Distraction on Online Communication Comprehension", Journal of Applied Psychology, June 2018, Vol. 103, Issue 6
