If you’re looking to add that little extra something to a Discord server, you could try adding a bot. Bots come in a wide range of uses, from performing useful administrative functions to hosting games for your server. What’s more, they’re very easy to add, so you can test out all kinds of different bots to find the one that suits you best. If you’re looking to add bots to your Discord server, here’s how to do it.
Content
- Checking Permissions
- Adding a Discord Bot
- Managing a Discord Bot
- Removing a Discord Bot
- Best Places to Find Discord Bots
- Frequently Asked Questions
Tip: If your Discord microphone is not working, here are a few ways to fix your Discord mic not working issue.
Checking Permissions
First, you have to double-check that you have the permissions needed to add a bot. Not everyone can add a bot to a Discord server! Only people who have Administrative or “Manage Server” permissions on the server can invite a bot. If you don’t have either of these roles, you won’t be able to add bots.
If you created the server, you should be the administrator by default. If you’ve just created a new server, you won’t see any roles assigned to anyone, including yourself. In the case of a brand new server, the creator should still be the administrator and be able to add bots. I tried this myself by creating a new server and had no issues.
1. Check Permissions
To double-check that you have these roles, open your Discord client. On the left, click on the server you want to add a bot to. To the right of the server list, click on the server’s name at the top, then click “Server Settings.”
If you can’t see the “Server Settings” option, there’s a very good chance that you don’t have the permissions needed to add a bot. You should message someone who is in a higher administrative role than you to add the bot instead.
2. Click Roles
If you can see “Server Settings,” click on it, then click on “Roles.”
3. Check roles
Check the roles which you’ve been assigned for their permissions; if you see that you’ve been granted “Administrative” or “Manage Server” permissions, you’re good to go!
Good to know: it is easy to change your status on Discord.
Adding a Discord Bot
If you already know what bot you want to add, you can now visit the bot’s site and add them. If you know you want to add a bot but are unsure what kind you want, there are means of searching for relevant bots to add to your server. You can even start with one of these bots to get an idea of what to add.
1. Search for a Discord bot
Top.gg is a great site to do just that. If you know what bot you want to get, type in its name and click the search button. If you’d prefer to search bots by function instead of name, click the “Explore” link at the top to see all of the different categories you can choose from. Do also check out these gaming bots to add to your server.
2. Invite bot
Once you’ve found the perfect bot for your server, click on its name to go to its bot page, then click on the “Invite” button.
3. Invite the bot
You’ll be taken to a page to set up the bot’s permissions, where you can select the server you’d like to invite the bot to. You’ll only see servers you have permission to invite bots to, so don’t worry about that. Select the server you’d like to invite the bot to. If you’re not already logged in to Discord, you’ll be asked to log in now.
4. Verify permissions and authorize
Double-check the permissions to ensure it’s not doing anything sneaky, then click “Authorize.”
The bot should now appear in your server, ready to go!
Managing a Discord Bot
Discord bots can add a lot of functionality to a server, whether it’s administrative or for fun. Now you know what permissions you need to add a bot, how to look for them, and how to get it onto your server. The next step is managing the bot(s) you just added.
1. Access bot settings
Let’s start with customizing the bot of your choice. Every bot has its own dashboard, which will include things like assigning tasks and lists of commands you can use. Select the bot from your list of Discord users/members. You’ll see a link that leads to the bot’s dashboard.
Every bot’s settings will be different. If you ever need help, click the Support link in the bot’s user profile. This usually takes you to a Discord server or the bot’s developer website.
2. Customize look and feel
Another way to customize bots is to change the nickname of the bot, adjust the bot’s role color, and change any permissions. Select your server name at the top of the screen and choose “Server Settings.”
3. Edit Discord bot roles
Select “Roles” and click the Edit button beside your bot name.
4. Edit name and color
From here, you can change the name of the bot, add a role color, and add a profile image.
5. Edit bot permissions
Select the “Permissions” section to adjust any permissions. Remember that removing permissions can affect the functionality of the bot.
Removing a Discord Bot
It’s easy enough to add bots to your Discord server, but what happens if you no longer want them? As long as you’re the administrator or have a higher role than the bot, you can kick bots out of your server just like you would any other user.
1. Kick bot
Open your Discord server and right-click the bot’s name. This can be in the list of users or in the conversation section. Select “Kick bot’s name.”
Good to know: Here are a few ways to prevent your Discord server from disconnecting.
Best Places to Find Discord Bots
In order to add bots to your Discord server, you have to find what you want first. While Top.gg is one popular option, it’s far from the only place to find Discord bots.
Some developers have websites specifically for their bots. A general search with your favorite search engine can turn up these sites. However, most developers will still list their bots on major bot lists to make them easier to find.
A few great places to search if you can’t find what you need on Top.gg, include:
- Discord Bots – A massive bot list with an easy to use search feature. Or, click “I’m not sure” to view categories and what’s currently most popular.
- Discord Bot List – Search bots by keyword or browse through a variety of categories, from top voted to and trending to music and moderation.
- Bots on Discord – Search for bots by keyword or category.
- Carbonitex – One of the more comprehensive Discord bot lists, but it’s harder to navigate than other lists.
- GitHub – A list mainly for hardcore users looking for more custom options and source code to build upon.
Another method to find bots to add is to check out what other servers are doing. This is a great way to see which bots are most popular and what value they add to the users of a server. If you’re not a member of many servers, use this guide to find other Discord servers to join. And, while you’re busy finding bots and joining servers, become a Discord expert with these keyboard shortcuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can other users add/remove bots?
This depends on their user role. If they’re administrators or have the “Manage Server” permission, they’ll be able to add/remove bots. You can revoke the Manage Server permission within “Server Settings -> Roles.” Choose the user’s name or use “@everyone” to ensure only you have permission to manage bots.
How many bots can I add?
Add as many Discord bots as you want. However, limit your server to just the bots that are most useful or entertaining to your community. Of course, you’re always free to try out new bots and remove they ones you don’t like.
Are Discord bots safe?
In general, yes. However, research bots before you add them, especially if they don’t have many users or votes yet. You should also avoid any bots that are linked to suspicious emails or suspicious sites. Sadly, Discord and Slack both have been the targets of malware, so use caution when adding bots or joining servers.
Should I give a Discord bot admin permissions?
No. This gives the bot full access to everything on you server. It can bypass any restrictions. While the bot itself might not be a problem, if there’s a security flaw, a hacker can use the admin permission to then do anything they want to your server. Ideally, you should avoid giving this permission and developers should avoid asking for it.
Do I need to invite a bot to each Discord server I own?
Yes. Bots are only invited to a single server at a time. You could own a dozen servers under the same account, but you’d need to invite the bot to each server separately. This lets you keep each server and its bots separated from each other.
Image credit: Alexander Shatov via Unsplash
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Crystal Crowder - Staff Writer
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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As a seasoned Discord enthusiast and expert, my extensive experience in managing Discord servers and integrating bots has equipped me with in-depth knowledge on the subject. I have actively explored various types of bots, ranging from administrative tools to gaming hosts, and I've conducted firsthand experiments to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved.
Let's delve into the key concepts covered in the provided article about adding and managing Discord bots:
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Checking Permissions:
- Only users with Administrative or "Manage Server" permissions can add bots to a Discord server.
- The article emphasizes the importance of verifying your roles and permissions to ensure eligibility for adding bots.
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Adding a Discord Bot:
- Users can search for and add bots using platforms like Top.gg.
- The process involves visiting the bot's site, clicking on the "Invite" button, selecting the target server, and authorizing the bot.
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Managing a Discord Bot:
- Customizing a bot involves accessing the bot's dashboard, where users can assign tasks and manage commands.
- The article provides steps to customize the bot's appearance, role color, and permissions within the server settings.
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Removing a Discord Bot:
- Administrators or users with higher roles can kick bots out of the server by right-clicking on the bot's name and selecting "Kick."
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Best Places to Find Discord Bots:
- While Top.gg is a popular option, other places to find Discord bots include Discord Bots, Discord Bot List, Bots on Discord, Carbonitex, and GitHub.
- Exploring other servers to see popular bots in action is recommended.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
- Users with Administrative or "Manage Server" permissions can add/remove bots.
- There is no specific limit to the number of bots a user can add, but it's advised to focus on those most useful or entertaining to the community.
- Safety precautions include researching bots before adding them and avoiding those linked to suspicious emails or sites.
- Admin permissions should not be granted to Discord bots to prevent potential security risks.
- Each bot needs to be individually invited to each Discord server owned by a user.
By combining this comprehensive understanding of Discord bot management with practical experience, I can confidently guide others in enhancing their Discord server experience through the strategic use of bots.
