At the heart of many successful Discord servers lies an often-overlooked tool: Discord bots. But what exactly is a Discord bot, and how can it make your server more engaging and easier to manage?
In this article, we’ll break down what Discord bots are, explore their safety, highlight their capabilities, and review the different types you might encounter. Finally, we will explain how to get and use them. By the end, you’ll understand why they’re essential to the Discord experience.
What Are Discord Bots?
Discord bots are automated programs designed to perform tasks within a Discord server. They act as virtual assistants, helping to manage and enhance your server by carrying out specific commands and functions. These bots run in the background, ready to assist users or automate repetitive tasks.
Think of a Discord bot as a “person” who is active 24/7, ready to do what you tell him to do without hesitating. In fact, bots will appear on your server member list like any other user. The only difference is that their avatar will show a “bot” tag.
Learn more about the app’s bots in Discord Support.
Now that you know what a discord bot is, you may wonder if adding a bot can be dangerous. Allowing external code programmed by another person to execute on your server could sound unsafe. Let’s see if that’s the case.
Are Bots Safe in Discord?
Yes, most Discord bots are safe to use, especially well-known ones from reputable sources. However, it’s essential to be cautious and avoid adding bots from unverified sources, as they could compromise your server’s security.
Always ensure you’re adding bots from trusted bot directories like top.gg or directly from the Discord application directory. With that in mind, let’s dive into what these bots can actually do.
What Do Discord Bots Do?
Discord bots can perform many tasks, from moderating chats to playing music and even hosting games. For example, they can automatically assign roles, welcome new members, filter out spam, or track server stats. They’re like personal assistants, making managing a server easier and more enjoyable.
Beyond essential functions, bots can create a sense of community by organizing events, conducting polls, or enabling interactive features like trivia games. Their versatility makes them an invaluable addition to almost any server.
4 Types of Discord Bots
Discord bots come in many flavors, each designed to serve a specific purpose. Here are four main types you’re likely to encounter:
- Management Bots.
Management bots help server owners keep everything organized. They handle tasks like assigning roles, setting up welcome messages, or tracking user activity through leveling systems.
For example, MEE6 is a popular bot that offers customizable welcome messages, leveling systems, and role management. - Moderation Bots.
Moderation bots are essential for keeping your server safe and respectful. They can detect and remove spam, block inappropriate language, and ban disruptive users. Dyno, for instance, is a widely-used moderation bot known for its anti-spam features and custom moderation tools. - Entertainment Bots.
These bots focus on fun and engaging activities. They can play music, organize games, or even provide memes and jokes. For example, Jockey Music is one of the best Discord music bots that allow users to play songs from popular music streaming platforms.
Check our list of the 15 most fun Discord bots for your server. - Multipurpose Bots.
Multipurpose bots combine several functions into one. They can do everything from managing roles to playing music and hosting trivia games. A great example is Carl-bot, which offers role assignment, moderation, and interactive commands in one package.
By understanding these types of Discord bots and their functionalities, you can choose the right ones to improve your server’s experience. Let’s see now how to get one of them and use it on your server.
How to Get a Discord Bot?
To get a Discord bot, go to a safe bot directory like discordbotlist.com, choose the bot you want, and click “add”. Then, follow the instructions to authorize it on your server. Remember that you need “manage server” permissions to add a bot to a server.
How to Use Bots on Discord
To use a bot on Discord, type a forward slash “/” in your server’s chat once you have added it. A list of possible slash commands for your bot will appear. Each bot has a list of commands, which you can usually find on its website or by typing a help command like “/help” on your server.
Some bots might also use a unique prefix like “!” or another character, which you can find on the bot’s official webpage or documentation.
The Power of Discord Bots
Discord bots are potent tools that can transform your server into a thriving, interactive community. From managing roles to moderating chats and providing entertainment, these versatile assistants make running a Discord server more efficient and enjoyable.
With so many types to choose from, you can easily find bots that suit your needs and enhance the overall experience for your members.
