Alexis Kestler
Hey there! Are you looking to better organize conversations and permissions on your Discord server? Do you want to have private discussions among just your staff or leadership team? If so, this guide will teach you everything you need to know about making and managing private Discord channels.
As an avid Discord user myself, I‘ll walk you through how to create private text and voice channels, properly configure permissions, use private channels effectively, and combine them with public channels. I‘ll also provide tons of tips, tricks, and best practices I‘ve learned from administering my own servers.
By the end, you‘ll be a Discord pro able to seamlessly blend public and private conversations to create the perfect member experience!
An Introduction to Discord and Private Channels
For those new to Discord, it‘s a super popular chat and VOIP app that‘s become the go-to way for communities to hang out online. Servers can have tons of open channels for members to talk, share media, and even chat by voice.
But as servers get bigger, controlling permissions becomes key. That‘s where private channels come in – they allow you to limit access to certain conversations to only the members and roles you want.
Private channels are hidden from anyone not added to them. You can have secret staff or admin discussions safely tucked away in private channels without distracting other members.
According to Discord, over 150 million active users are on Discord each month as of May 2022. With so many users flocking to Discord as their online home, private channels are more vital than ever for organized, focused discussion among your core member groups.
Now let‘s get into how to create them!
Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Private Discord Channel
Creating a private Discord channel is only possible on mobile devices currently – the web and desktop apps don‘t have the "Private Channel" option.
Here‘s how to make a private text or voice channel on Discord mobile:
Choose the Channel Type
First, navigate to your server and tap the "+" button to add a new channel. You can choose between:
- Text channel: For private text and image conversations
- Voice channel: For private voice chats and calls
Pick whichever channel type makes sense for your private discussion needs.
Name the Channel
Give your new channel a name so you can identify it easily later. Keep names short but descriptive.
For example, I have private channels named:
Toggle "Private Channel" On
Here‘s the key step – make sure to toggle the "Private Channel" switch on before hitting create. This instantly makes it private.
Leaving this off will create a public channel anyone can access. So be sure you enable this!
Add Permitted Members and Roles
Once created, you‘ll need to add members and roles who should have access. Search for and select them, then click "Add" to permit them.
I‘ll go deeper into effectively assigning private channel permissions next.
And that‘s it! The channel will now only be visible to the selected members and roles you granted access.
Choosing Who to Add to Private Channels
The real power of private channels comes from carefully controlling exactly who can participate. Here are some best practices:
Use Roles Whenever Possible
Instead of adding individual members, create roles for teams like "Admins" or "Moderators" that need private access. Add the role itself to the channel.
This way if you need to add or remove people later, you just update the role member list. Much easier!
Keep Participation Limited
Only add the bare minimum number of members and roles that absolutely need access. Don‘t go overboard.
The more participants you have, the more noise and off-topic chatter you‘ll get.
Create Separate Channels for Different Needs
Don‘t use one giant private channel if you can avoid it. Create multiple private channels for each specific member group and intended topic.
For example, have one for admins, one for mods, one for your support team, etc. Each focused private channel stays organized.
Revisit the List Regularly
Every month or so, audit the members and roles added to your private channels. Remove any unnecessary participants to keep things focused.
As teams and permissions change, you‘ll need to maintain private channel access lists over time.
Distinguishing Private vs. Public Discord Channels
Private and public Discord channels function very differently. Here are the key differences:
Visibility
Private channels won‘t appear in the channel list at all for members who can‘t access them. Public channels show up for every member.
Hashtag Icon
The hashtag icon will have a lock on private channels but not on public ones. This lets you instantly know which are private.
Access
You have to be specifically added to view or join a private channel. Public channels are open to all server members by default.
Admin Access
Server admins can always see all channels, including private ones, regardless of if they‘re added themselves.
Here‘s a comparison table:
| Feature | Private Channel | Public Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | Only visible to added members/roles | Visible to all members |
| Hashtag icon | Lock displayed | No lock shown |
| Joining access | Must be added specifically | Open to all members |
| Admin visibility | Always visible to admins | Always visible to admins |
So in summary, private = selective visibility and access, while public = open to all.
Best Practices for Using Private Channels
From my own extensive Discord experience, here are some pro tips for making the most of private channels:
Keep Conversations Private Among Teams
Use private channels for any conversation that doesn‘t need to involve your whole member base. Keep things like staff coordination or planning private.
Reduce Clutter in Public Channels
Having private channels prevents public channels from being overrun with off-topic messages like internal team talks. Keep public channels focused on broader interests.
Funnel Sensitive Topics to Private Discussions
Any sensitive matters that require discretion are best suited for private channels limited only to those with a need to know.
Enable Seamless Collaboration in Private
Your staff will love having their own private space to collaborate on projects or discuss issues affecting the server.
Build Stronger Teams Through Private Bonding
Focused private channels allow smaller groups like leads and admins to bond more deeply through regular camaraderie.
Keep Large Public Channels Focused
If chat in public channels goes off the rails, politely ask members to move certain topics to new private channels instead of shutting them down. This keeps your community happy!
Balancing Private and Public Channel Use
While private channels are powerful tools, you still need public channels to provide an open space for members to interact. Here are some tips on blending both channel types:
Maintain At Least 1-2 Public Channels
Don‘t make every channel private! Have a few public channels for open community chat and hanging out. This builds relationships.
Use Public for Broad Interest Topics
Keep public channel topics focused on things the majority of members will engage in, like general chat, gaming, creative works, etc.
Funnel Niche Topics to Private Channels
If a public conversation gets hyper-focused on something only a small subgroup cares about, gently guide them to continue in a new private channel instead. This keeps your public channels inclusive.
Announce Important Updates Publicly
If you have big announcements or news to share with your whole member base, use a public channel for transparency. But discuss plans and details privately first.
The right balance of public and private channels tailored to your community‘s needs takes your Discord server to the next level!
Recap and Conclusion
Let‘s recap what we learned:
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Private Discord channels allow you to limit access to certain conversations to only chosen members and roles. This lets you have private team discussions and prevent irrelevant users from joining.
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You can make text or voice channels private only using Discord mobile currently. Make sure to toggle the "Private Channel" setting on when creating it.
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Carefully choose only the minimum number of members and roles to add to a private channel to keep it focused. Audit permissions regularly.
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Private channels are hidden from non-members, while public channels are visible to all users by default.
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Use both channel types wisely to balance public community chat with private team collaboration and planning.
Phew, that was a lot of in-depth information! With these tips, your server organization and communication will reach new heights.
I hope this guide provides everything you need to know about wielding the powerful tools of private Discord channels effectively. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to help fellow Discord admins master channel permissions.
Now get out there, create some awesome private channels, and take your server to the next level!
