Whether it's the latest additions to the Nitro subscription service, or the new name format, there's been plenty happening over on Discord. Now the platform is getting even more features with the addition of new methods of monetization for 'Server Subscription' subscribers.
'Server Subscriptions' are a monthly subscription for servers that helps the creators and communities who run them by offering unique perks and benefits under a paywall. To help bring more value to the service, which was introduced by Discord in December of last year, a series of new features and benefits are being added to the service, which plan to go live over the next few months.
The first new feature to the Server Subscription service is the Media Channels Beta. Media Channels are a media focused channel type which will allow s to share subscription-only content, such as "exclusive memes and wallpapers."
Similar to sites like Patreon, this means is that the content on a Media Channel will be locked from of your community and channel behind a paywall, unless they're subscribed. Discord is also providing server owners the chance to set new subscription tiers, where the perks offered for each tier can be defined and set by the creating them.
One-off digital products will also be available to sell by creators to help with monetization, such as recipe e-books, gaming guides and digital wallpapers, as "ables."
The option of purchasing a role bundled alongside any able will also be available, or community can choose to purchase them separately.
Finally, Discord is also testing the roll-out of a Server Shop, a one-stop online shop where server owners and creators can sell their subscriptions, ables, and roles.
While these new features will be beneficial to content creators and creatives who already use Discord to boost and grow their online communities, it does make me worry about what they will mean in the future for those who use Discord primarily as a free, gaming social media platform.