So you want to know how to censor on Discord? Maybe your server's getting spammy, or kids are dropping F-bombs in general chat. I've been there – running a 5k-member gaming server felt like herding cats sometimes. Let's cut through the fluff. Censoring isn't about being a fun police. It's about keeping your community from turning into a toxic wasteland.
Honestly? When I first set up my server, I thought slapping on a word filter would solve everything. Big mistake. Trolls started using l33t speak faster than I could say "mute." Had to completely rethink my approach.
Why You Might Need Discord Censorship
Discord's cool until someone posts shock content at 3 AM. Here's when people usually realize they need moderation:
- Your #general-chat looks like a COD lobby after too much caffeine
- Brand sponsors get scared off by edgy memes
- Minors are in your server (legal minefield alert!)
- Discord bans servers that ignore hate speech (seen it happen)
Discord's Native Tools vs. Bots: The Real Deal
Discord's built-in AutoMod ain't bad, but it's like bringing a knife to a gunfight for bigger servers. Here's the breakdown:
| Feature | Discord AutoMod | Bots (Dyno/MEE6) |
|---|---|---|
| Word Filtering | Basic keyword blocking | Regex patterns, fuzzy matching (catches c@t$) |
| Media Scans | ❌ Nope | ✅ Blocks explicit images/videos |
| Timeout Automation | ✅ After 3 strikes | ✅ Instant with custom rules |
| Spam Prevention | ✅ Decent | ✅ Advanced (caps lock, emoji spam) |
Setting Up AutoMod: Quick & Dirty
For small servers under 100 members, AutoMod might be enough:
- Go to Server Settings > AutoMod
- Click "Create Rule" – pick "Keyword Filter"
- Type banned words (separate by commas)
- Set actions: Block Message or Timeout Users
Pro Tip: ALWAYS enable "Block messages with external links" if you run public servers. Stopped 90% of my phishing problems overnight.
Warning: AutoMod ignores spaces in phrases. "heck no" triggers if "heck" is banned. Dumb, right? Found that out when someone said "checkpoint" and got banned.
When You Definitely Need Bots
If you've got more than 200 members or NSFW channels, bots are non-negotiable. Top 3 I've tested:
- Dyno: My go-to for granular control (free tier works)
- MEE6: Better for image filtering (premium needed)
- Carl-bot: Best regex support (nerdy but powerful)
Setting Up Dyno Filtering (Step-By-Step)
- Invite Dyno to your server via dyno.gg
- Type ?filter add [word] in any channel
- For phrases: ?filter add "some phrase"
- Set punishments: ?automod config strikes 3 action mute
Confession: I accidentally banned "grape" thinking it was a slur bypass. Wine enthusiasts revolted. Test filters in a private channel first!
Nuclear Options: When Basic Filtering Fails
Some trolls will always find loopholes. Here's how to lock things down:
| Bypass Tactic | Solution | Bot Required |
|---|---|---|
| Spacing (f u c k) | Enable "Ignore Spaces" in Dyno | ✅ |
| Special characters (@$$) | Use regex: /[a@]+[s$5]{2}/i | ✅ |
| Image memes | Enable MEE6 media scan | ✅ |
| Voice chat raids | Set role-based VC permissions | ❌ |
The Permission Matrix Most Admins Ignore
Channel-specific overrides save lives. Example setup for #general:
| Permission | @everyone | Trusted Role |
|---|---|---|
| Attach Files | ❌ Deny | ✅ Allow |
| Mention @everyone | ❌ Deny | ✅ Allow |
| Add Reactions | ✅ Allow | ✅ Allow |
FAQ: Real Questions from My Mod Team
Can Discord see censored messages?
Yes. Even if deleted, Discord stores logs for moderation disputes. Don't promise 100% privacy.
How to censor on Discord mobile?
Exactly like desktop. AutoMod settings sync, and bots work through mobile apps. But editing regex? Good luck on that tiny screen.
Why do people hate censoring?
Most complaints come from:
- Overzealous filters (blocking "class" for "ass")
- No transparency about rules
- Mods power-tripping (we've all seen it)
My rule: Post the banned word list publicly. Reduced complaints by 70% because people understood why "pineapple" was forbidden (inside joke gone wrong).
Advanced Tactics You Won't Find in Guides
After moderating for 3 years, here's my field manual:
The Escalation Ladder That Actually Works
- First offense: Auto-delete + DM explanation
- Second: 1-hour timeout
- Third: 24-hour mute
- Fourth: Kick with invite link
- Fifth: Permanent ban
Document everything in #mod-logs. Cover your butt.
Psychological Tricks
Placeholder messages work better than deletions. Example:
[Message removed: Hate speech violation. Review rules at #server-info]
Shames violators without being aggressive. Public accountability cuts repeats by half.
When Censoring Backfires (And How to Fix)
Common pitfalls I've faced:
Problem: Legit convos getting nuked
Fix: Add #debate channel with looser rules. Redirect instead of delete.
Problem: Bots flagging non-English
Fix: Use Carl-bot's language detection. Whitelist specific channels.
Golden Rule: Never censor criticism of mods. Made that mistake once – sparked a rebellion. Create #feedback instead.
Beyond Words: Censoring Images & Links
Because text filters won't stop a troll dropping NSFW in #memes:
Media Moderation Settings
| Bot | Command | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| MEE6 | !automod image set strict | Scans for nudity/gore (requires Premium) |
| Dyno | ?module automod set antinvite on | Bans Discord invite links |
For free options:
- Disable link permissions for new members
- Set verification levels to "Medium" (requires verified email)
- Use built-in "Scan media content" in Privacy & Safety settings
My Personal Setup (2024 Edition)
For my writing community server (2.3k members):
- AutoMod: Blocks extreme slurs (instant timeout)
- Dyno: Filters 500+ words/phrases with regex
- Channel Setup: #debate (minimal filters) vs #general (strict)
- Roles: "Trusted" role after 30 days = less restrictions
Total cost? $0. Resource-heavy? Absolutely. Worth avoiding Discord bans? 100%.
Final Reality Check
You'll never catch everything. Last week someone bypassed filters with Armenian letters. It's an arms race. Focus on minimizing damage, not perfection.
Remember: Communities die faster from mod overreach than from occasional profanity. Use censor tools like a scalpel – not a sledgehammer.
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