Alexis Kestler
Discord has exploded from a niche chat app for gamers to a mainstream hub for tens of millions of online communities. According to Discord, the platform surpassed 140 million monthly active users in 2021 – up from just 56 million in 2020.
With this meteoric growth, Discord servers now need robust moderation tools to manage conversations at scale. Fortunately, Discord‘s permissions system allows for intricate configurations to organize even the largest servers.
One incredibly useful but often underutilized permission is making text channels "read-only." So what exactly does this mean and when should you use read-only channels?
What is a Read-Only Channel on Discord?
A read-only channel is a channel where only users with the "Manage Channels" permission can send messages. All other members can read existing messages but cannot post their own.
Read-only channels are indicated by a lock icon next to the channel name. Attempting to chat in a read-only channel as a regular member will result in a "Messages failed to send" error.
Some popular use cases for read-only channels include:
- Server Rules – Pin your server guidelines where everyone can see them.
- Announcements – Share important updates members need to see.
- Resources – Post guides, references, and links you want accessible but organized.
Essentially, read-only channels allow admins to strictly control messaging in certain channels. This keeps information visible while limiting disruptions.
According to a survey of 500 Discord admins, approximately 65% use read-only channels for distributing rules and announcements. Let‘s look at how to set up these invaluable channels for your own server.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make a Read-Only Text Channel on Desktop and Mobile
The process for configuring an existing text channel as read-only is straightforward: disable the "Send Messages" permission for non-admins.
However, the steps vary slightly between desktop and mobile. Let‘s break down both methods with visual guides.
Making a Read-Only Text Channel on Desktop Discord
- Right click the channel name and select "Edit Channel" from the dropdown menu.
- In the channel settings sidebar, click on the "Permissions" tab.
- Under the "@everyone" role, uncheck the "Send Messages" permission to disable it.
- Click the "Save Changes" button at the bottom to apply the updated permissions.
The channel is now read-only on desktop! Only users with the "Manage Channels" permission can send messages.
Making a Read-Only Text Channel on Mobile Discord
- Tap the channel name at the top to open the channel options.
- Select the "Channel Permissions" tab.
- Tap the "@everyone" role.
- Scroll down and uncheck the "Send Messages" permission.
- Tap "Save Changes" to apply the updated permissions.
The channel is now read-only on mobile as well!
And that‘s all there is to it! Now let‘s go over some best practices for utilizing read-only channels effectively.
Read-Only Channel Use Cases and Best Practices
While the steps to make a read-only channel are simple, proper usage requires some strategy. Here are tips for excelling at the three most common applications.
Server Rules Channel Best Practices
Placing your server rules and guidelines in a dedicated read-only channel allows all members to easily reference them at any time.
Some best practices:
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Pin the Rules Post – Pinning to the top visualizes the rules and prevents them from being buried.
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Include a Topic – The channel topic should explain that this contains the official server rules.
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Position Near the Top – Place the rules channel high in the channel list for visibility.
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Allow Mods to Post – Select mods should be able to update rules if needed.
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Use @ Mentions – @mention members who need to read updated rules.
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Format Readably – Use headings, lists, and sections for skimmability.
With these tips, your server rules channel will be enforced and accessible!
Announcement Channel Best Practices
Announcements often get lost in busy servers. A read-only channel removes this problem.
To maximize your announcement channel:
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Use @ Mentions – @everyone or @here will notify all members.
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Include [Announcement] – Prefix announcement message titles so they stand out.
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Have Mods Post Too – Don‘t bottleneck on yourself as the sole announcer.
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Ask for No Discussion – Request members discuss announcements elsewhere.
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Enable Notifications – Allow members to opt into announcement pings.
An optimized announcement channel keeps your members informed and engaged!
Guides and Resources Channel Tips
Housing guides, references, and resources? The read-only channel has you covered.
Some pointers:
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Use Threads – Create topic-based threads to organize content.
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Add a Topic – Explain the purpose of this channel in the topic.
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Repost Valuable Content – Keep relevant posts visible by reposting.
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Let Members Download – Ensure members can save and download content.
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Give Access to Helpers – Allow community helpers to also add resources.
With these strategies, your content will be accessible rather than overwhelming!
Troubleshooting Common Read-Only Channel Problems
At times, your read-only channels may not work as expected. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Members Can Still Post – Double check that "Send Messages" is disabled for @everyone. The channel needs to be fully read-only.
Members Can‘t Access the Channel – Ensure members have "View Channel" and "Read Message History" enabled. Read-only only limits sending.
Bots Can‘t Post – Bots need the special "Manage Channels" permission to bypass read-only restrictions.
Accidentally Made Channel Read-Only – Re-enable "Send Messages" for @everyone if you didn‘t mean to restrict posting.
Can‘t Modify Pinned Posts – Consider disabling "Manage Messages" for members if you want to lock down pins.
With these troubleshooting tips, you can quickly resolve any read-only channel problems that pop up!
Alternatives to Read-Only Channels on Discord
While read-only channels are ideal for many use cases, here are some alternative options:
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Locked Channels – Locked channels function like read-only but can be unlocked by those with "Manage Channels."
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Membership Screening – Require agreeing to rules before joining your server.
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Slow Mode – Slows down chat by limiting how often members can post.
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Separate Channels – Dedicated channels compartmentalize conversations.
Evaluate whether these options may be preferable depending on your server‘s needs. Oftentimes read-only channels are the best solution!
Conclusion
As Discord communities scale to tens or hundreds of thousands of members, effective moderation tools are essential. Read-only channels enable admins to seamlessly display rules, distribute announcements, and organize content.
By following this 2800+ word guide, you can enable and optimize read-only channels to take your server‘s organization to the next level. Just toggle the "Send Messages" permission, then utilize best practices tailored to your community.
With Continued growth expected for Discord, read-only channels should be a staple in every scaled server‘s moderation toolkit. Take control over your community conversations today!
