Discord Server Verification Levels Explained (2026): When to Use Each Security Setting
Discord server verification levels are built-in security settings that help protect communities from spam, raids, bots, and fake accounts. By requiring users to verify their email address, phone number, or account age before they can send messages, Discord makes it much harder for malicious users to disrupt a server.
Verification levels are especially important for public gaming servers, creator communities, educational groups, and crypto or NFT servers where spam and phishing attempts are common.
What Are Discord Verification Levels?
A verification level determines what requirements a user must meet before they can interact with a Discord server. These settings are managed by the server owner and can be adjusted as the community grows.
Discord provides five verification levels.
None
No restrictions are applied. New members can send messages immediately after joining. This level is best for private friend groups or small personal servers.
Low
Users must have a verified email address before they can send messages. This blocks many automated or disposable accounts.
Medium
Users must have a verified email address and a Discord account that is at least 5 minutes old. This is a good balance between security and accessibility.
High
Users must meet the Medium requirements and remain in the server for 10 minutes before they can interact. This helps prevent coordinated raid attacks.
Highest (Very High)
Users must meet all previous requirements and also have a verified phone number linked to their Discord account. This provides the strongest protection against bots, scams, and mass-created accounts.
Verification Level Comparison
| Verification Level | Requirement |
|---|---|
| None | No restrictions |
| Low | Verified email |
| Medium | Email + account older than 5 minutes |
| High | Medium requirements + member for 10 minutes |
| Highest | High requirements + verified phone number |
How Verification Levels Prevent Raids
Verification levels make raids less effective by forcing new accounts to meet additional security requirements before they can send messages. Email verification blocks many fake accounts, account-age requirements stop newly created spam accounts, and phone verification makes large-scale bot attacks significantly more difficult.
Which Verification Level Should You Use?
For most public Discord servers, High is the recommended setting because it provides strong protection without creating too much friction for legitimate users. Highest is best for crypto, trading, NFT, and other communities that are frequently targeted by scams or coordinated raids.
Conclusion
Discord verification levels are one of the easiest ways to improve server security. Choosing the right level depends on your community size and how often you experience spam or raid attempts. Small private servers can usually use Low or Medium, while large public communities should consider High or Highest for better protection.