How Does Discord Make Money?
Discord has quickly become a popular platform for communication among gamers, professionals, and communities of all kinds. It allows users to connect with each other in real-time through voice, video, and text channels. While it is a free-to-use platform, many wonder how Discord manages to generate revenue. In this article, we will explore various ways Discord makes money and how it benefits the platform and its users.
Subscription Model
Discord’s Nitro subscription service is one way the platform earns revenue. Nitro is a premium service that provides users with exclusive features such as high-quality screen sharing, custom emojis, and larger file uploads. Users can also customize their Discord profile with animated avatars and badges.
To subscribe to Nitro, users must pay a monthly fee of $9.99, or $99.99 for an annual subscription. The premium features have proven to be popular among users, with Nitro boosting Discord’s revenue by an estimated $30 million in 2019.
Sponsored Content
Like many social media platforms, Discord has the potential to partner with companies for sponsored content. For example, a gaming company could sponsor a Discord server that is dedicated to their game. The sponsored server could offer rewards or promotions to members who engage with the sponsored content.
We see examples of sponsored content on other platforms, such as Instagram influencers promoting products on their profiles or sponsored posts on Twitter. With Discord’s emphasis on community, we could see similar partnerships evolve between brands and Discord servers.
Sponsored content has the potential to benefit both Discord and its users. Discord could earn revenue from the partnership, and users could receive exclusive rewards or discounts thanks to the sponsored content.
Service Fees
Discord could potentially charge fees for various services, such as premium support or access to exclusive features beyond Nitro. While no such fees currently exist, it’s a strategy that the platform could pursue to generate revenue.
One potential benefit of this model is it could encourage users to create quality content on the platform, knowing that the chance to earn revenue through fees exists. Discord could also offer premium support to users and servers, giving them priority access to customer service resources or technical assistance.
User-Generated Content Marketplace
Discord’s platform serves as an ideal place for users to create and share user-generated content, whether it’s gaming mods or digital art. Discord could facilitate a marketplace for users to sell their creations, charging a fee for each transaction made on the platform.
For example, a user could create custom Discord server templates and sell them in the marketplace. The user could earn revenue from the sale, while Discord takes a percentage as a transaction fee. This model has proven successful for platforms such as Etsy and Patreon, which thrive on user-generated content.
Gaming Partnerships
Discord already has partnerships with various game developers, such as Valve and Epic Games. These partnerships have primarily focused on integrating Discord’s platform with popular games. However, Discord could potentially partner with game developers for in-game purchases.
For example, a game developer could offer exclusive in-game items or currency to players who make the purchase through Discord. Discord could earn a commission on each sale made, generating revenue that benefits the platform and its users.
Data Analytics
Discord could offer data analytics tools to businesses and developers, providing insights into user behavior and trends. These tools could help developers refine their games or products, making them more appealing to users.
For example, a game developer could use Discord’s data analytics tools to see which characters or weapons are most popular among players. They could then adjust the game’s balance and mechanics to create a better experience for users. Developers could also use the data to better understand their demographic, which could help them tailor their marketing to reach more potential users.
Affiliate Marketing
Discord could serve as an affiliate marketing platform, earning a commission on purchases made through affiliate links. For example, a Discord server dedicated to a particular product or service could include affiliate links to that product. Users who click on the link and make a purchase would generate revenue for both the affiliate marketer and Discord.
This model has shown success for platforms like Amazon, which has generated significant revenue through its affiliate marketing program. It could be a viable option for Discord to explore, giving users the chance to monetize their communities and earn revenue for their efforts.
Conclusion
Discord has several options for generating revenue on its platforms, from a subscription model to sponsored content partnerships and service fees. The platform’s unique features and strong community make it an ideal place for user-generated content and affiliate marketing opportunities.
While these strategies have the potential to benefit both Discord and its users, it’s important to acknowledge potential downsides. Users may feel that certain features are gated behind a premium paywall or that sponsored content detracts from the platform’s community feel.
Despite potential challenges, Discord’s revenue-generation strategies have the potential to make the platform stronger and more sustainable in the long term. For users interested in supporting the platform, trying out Discord’s Nitro service could be a great way to show support.