Discord has become one of the most popular platforms for online communities and group messaging. With easy voice and text chat options, Discord servers enable users to communicate and collaborate around shared interests, games, projects and more.
As a Discord user, you may find yourself participating in multiple servers. Naturally, you may wonder who created and manages the servers you have joined. Here is a guide on how to identify the owner of a Discord server as well as tips for understanding server controls and hierarchy.
Table of Contents
Checking Server Settings to Find the Owner
The easiest way to determine who owns a particular Discord server is to check the server’s settings. Here’s how:
- Open the Discord app and navigate to the server in question.
- Click on the server name at the top left to open the server menu.
- Select “Server Settings” from the menu.
- Choose the “Members” tab in the settings sidebar.
- This will display a list of all members in the server. The owner will have a crown icon next to their username.
So by opening the member list in the server settings, you can quickly identify and confirm the owner.
Understanding Server Roles and Permissions
While checking settings shows you the owner, understanding roles and permissions gives you insight into how the server is controlled and moderated.
Discord allows server admins to create roles and assign permissions that dictate what members can or cannot do. For example, moderator roles may have abilities like kicking members or deleting messages.
To view roles and permissions:
- Open the server settings
- Select “Roles” in the sidebar
- Here you can see existing roles and their associated permissions
Usually server owners have the highest level of access and control. But admins can also appoint moderators to help manage channels, moderate discussions or welcome new members.
So checking roles lets you identify members with elevated privileges beyond just ownership.
Making a Direct Owner Request
If you still need to get in touch with a server owner after identifying them, you can try sending a direct message. Keep in mind that owners may have restrictions enabled around receiving private messages. But a polite request is generally fine, for example:
Hi [owner name], I’m [your name] from [server name]. I had a question regarding a server policy I was hoping to discuss. Please let me know when you have a moment. Thanks!
This is useful if you need clarification or decisions from the highest authority on a server matter.
Using Server Info Bots
Many Discord servers utilize specialized bots that provide useful administrative tools and information to members. Some popular bots have commands providing server statistics and hierarchy details.
For example, a server info bot may have a command like:
/serverinfo
Which then outputs information including server creation date, number of members, channels, roles and more. The bot response usually clearly labels the server owner as part of this information.
So checking bot commands like “/serverinfo” can be another handy way to confirm and learn about a Discord server’s ownership and structure.
Understanding Private & Public Servers
There are two main types of Discord servers:
Public Servers – Anyone can find and join these servers. They are listed in the Discord public server discovery directory.
Private Servers – Private servers do not show up in searches and require a special invite link from members to join. These are popular for small friend/family groups.
Owners choose whether to make their server public or private during initial creation. This impacts the discoverability and privacy of the server.
Creating Your Own Discord Server
If you are interested in not just participating but owning a Discord server yourself, the process is straightforward:
- Login to your Discord account online or in the app
- Click the “+” icon to add a server
- Choose a name, upload an image and select create
- You will automatically become the owner of your new server
As the server owner, you have full control and administration capabilities. You can tweak settings, create channels/categories, assign roles and permissions, appoint moderators and more.
It’s a great way to create your own community!
Securing Your Discord Server
As a server owner, it’s important to utilize Discord’s security and moderation tools. Here are some best practices:
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) – Adds an extra account login step for enhanced security.
- Restrict @everyone permissions – Review and tighten permissions for the default role.
- Add moderators – Appoint trustworthy members to help moderate conversations.
- Use moderator bots – Bots can help automate moderation and server management.
- Set up verification – Require new members to verify email or phone number.
Conclusion
I hope this guide has helped explain the various methods for identifying who owns and controls a Discord server. Key takeaways include:
- Check server settings > members tab for the owner label
- Understand roles, permissions and moderators
- Reach out to the owner directly if needed
- Utilize server info bots for details
- Differentiate between public and private servers
- Secure your own server by restricting permissions and adding moderators
Let me know if you have any other questions! I have over 5 years experience using Discord both as a server owner and active community member.
