Have you ever unintentionally blurted out a major plot twist while chatting enthusiastically about a TV show, only to instantly regret it? Or carefully navigated a new game‘s story yourself before a friend could play?
We‘ve all had experiences where we either accidentally spoiled something critical OR had something important spoiled for us.
Fortunately, Discord created a helpful solution – spoiler tags. This post will teach you to use them like a pro.
Here‘s what we‘ll cover:
- What are Discord spoiler tags and why do they matter?
- A brief history of spoiler tags on Discord
- When should you use spoiler tags?
- Step-by-step guide to enabling and adding spoiler tags
- Comparing all the methods to tag spoilers
- Best practices for using spoiler tags effectively
- Answering frequently asked questions
Let‘s dive in to master the art of avoiding spoilers!
What Are Discord Spoiler Tags?
A "spoiler tag" allows you to hide text behind a clickable bar that greys out the hidden words. This lets you selectively reveal information only when others are ready to read it.
For example, you could type:
||Han Solo dies in Star Wars VII|| Which would display on Discord as:
||Han Solo dies in Star Wars VII||
The spoiler text stays hidden until someone clicks the bar to unveil it. This is extremely useful for avoiding revealing pivotal plot points too soon!
So why do spoiler tags matter so much?
Reducing Spoilers Helps Build Community
Having thoughtful norms around media consumption builds empathy and understanding between server members. It leads to more meaningful connections.
Accidentally posting unformatted spoilers can cause discord between fans at different stages of enjoying something. Enabling others to unveil information at their own pace fosters goodwill.
Spoiled Plot Twists Diminish Enjoyment
Story surprises often provide the most enjoyment and emotional impact from entertainment media. Spoiling pivotal revelations too early can severely reduce someone‘s ability to get immersed in a world and connect with characters.
Fortunately, Discord‘s spoiler tag gives power back to consumers to choose if/when to learn key details.
Clearly, spoiler tags play an important role in building community and protecting enjoyment. Next let‘s cover the origins of this essential Discord feature.
A Brief History of Discord Spoiler Tags
Discord launched spoiler tag functionality on August 7, 2018 after over a year of requests from impassioned users.
Developers noticed many server conversations organically centered around new TV shows like Westworld and eagerly anticipated video game releases. However, fans consuming content at different paces led to frequent unintentional spoilers.
Early experiments with spoiler tag prototypes began in late 2017. This allowed hiding text behind a clickable bar. After positive feedback, the feature expanded to also support hiding embedded images.
This table shows the rapid growth of spoiler tags since launch:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Aug 2018 | Spoiler tags for text launch |
| Jan 2019 | Image spoiler tags enabled |
| Jun 2020 | 2 million spoiler tags used per day |
| Mar 2022 | ~8 million daily uses |
Today, spoiler tags have become an indispensable fixture across all types of Discord entertainment communities. Usage continues to grow exponentially.
So when should you use these important tools?
Know When Spoiler Tags Are Needed
The general rule of thumb is to use spoiler tags whenever discussing plot details that others may not yet know – but would dramatically impact their experience or enjoyment.
For example:
✅ Shocking character deaths
✅ Unexpected plot twists
✅ Surprise endings
However, tagging insignificant or already widely known information is unnecessary:
❌ Minor characters or details
❌ Games/movies released years ago
❌ Tiny surprises that don‘t change one‘s overall experience
The safest approach is simply to use spoiler tags liberally whenever useful. Additionally, check specific Discord servers which may provide spoiler guidance in their rules.
Let‘s now get hands-on with step-by-step directions for enabling and adding spoiler tags.
Step 1: Enable Spoiler Tags in Discord Settings
Before tagging your first spoiler, you need to enable the functionality:
- Click the gear icon to open User Settings
- Choose Text & Images
- Under Show Spoiler Content, select On Click
This ensures all spoiler-tagged text stays hidden by default until manually revealed.
Step 2a: Tagging Spoilers on Desktop (Keyboard Method)
If you primarily use Discord on a laptop or PC, the fastest way to tag text is using your keyboard:
- Type two vertical pipe symbols (
|) - Type your spoiler text after the pipes
- End with two more pipe symbols
For example:
||Han Solo‘s son becomes evil in Star Wars VII||Which displays on Discord as:
||Han Solo‘s son becomes evil in Star Wars VII||
Be sure to add spaces between text and pipes so formatting works properly.
Let‘s compare this method to other options.
Step 2b: Tagging Spoilers on Desktop (Highlight Method)
You can also enable spoiler tags by highlighting text instead of using keyboard pipes:
- Type out your full spoiler text
- Highlight all the text
- Click the + icon
- Choose Mark as Spoiler
This will instantly add the spoiler tag formatting over text without needing to manually add syntax.
Comparing Desktop Spoiler Tag Methods
| Feature | Keyboard Shortcut | Highlight Tool |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Very fast | Slower |
| Ease of Use | Memorize syntax | More intuitive |
| Platforms | All | Desktop/web only |
| Error Protection | Risk losing formatting | More foolproof |
Recommendation: Use the fast keyboard method if you chat frequently from memory. But the highlight tool is great for beginners or tagging long spoiler paragraphs.
Step 3: Tagging Spoilers on Mobile
Adding spoiler tags on iOS or Android Discord apps only takes a few taps:
- Type out your text as normal
- Long press the paragraph until menu appears
- Choose Mark as Spoiler
And you‘re done! This works the same whether you‘re on an iPhone or Android device.
Now that you‘re a master at adding Discord spoiler tags across platforms, let‘s cover some best practices.
Best Practices for Using Spoiler Tags Effectively
Follow these expert tips to avoid discord around entertainment spoilers:
🔹 Check server rules – Many communities provide spoiler guidance. Read channels like #Rules for expectations.
🔹 Use tags liberally – If in doubt, just tag it! Avoid assumptions around what others may know.
🔹 Hide spoilers by default – Ensure your settings only reveal spoilers on click to respect others‘ pace.
🔹 Reveal selectively when ready – Click spoiler bars intentionally when you personally want a surprise unveiled.
🔹 Don‘t disable spoiler tags – Be courteous by not forcing revelations on others without consent by removing tags.
Additionally, gently encourage those who accidentally post untagged spoilers to edit their messages. Or contact admins if problematic behaviors persist.
With great entertainment enthusiasm comes great responsibility! Following these simple community norms will ensure you keep spoiler secrets on lock while building understanding between server members.
Answering Your Frequently Asked Spoiler Tag Questions
Let‘s wrap up with answers to some common questions:
How do I quickly delete an accidental spoiler?
➡️ Hover your mouse over the troublesome message and click the trash can icon before others see it!
What‘s the keyboard shortcut to reveal spoiler tags?
➡️ Simply click or tap directly on the hidden gray text bar.
Can I spoiler tag images too?
➡️ Yes! Upload your image first, then select the eye icon.
What if others aren‘t using spoiler tags responsibly?
➡️ Politely encourage them to hide plot critical details when possible in community channels. If issues persist, contact server admins.
Why can‘t I disable someone else‘s spoiler tag?
➡️ Discord intentionally designed the feature this way to encourage courtesy! The goal is embracing info revelation at your own pace.
And that covers everything you need to know about courteously keeping spoilers private on Discord!
Let Your Community Enjoy Spoilers On Their Own Terms
Discord spoiler tags provide a thoughtful way to geeking out over favorite games, movies, and shows without diminishing others‘ viewing pleasures!
We all love breathlessly dissecting story surprises and unexpected character moments. But forcing revelations before someone is ready can severely damage their enjoyment and connection to something meaningful.
Instead, embrace spoiler tags to build empathy and understanding around different paces of media consumption. Help friends unlock surprises playfully on their own terms!
Now you have all the tools and knowledge needed to allow your community to safely bond over dislikes, betrayals, deaths, and twists without damaging friendships in the process!
So next time inspiration strikes to blurt out that Winston dies tragically in the latest Call of Duty*, make sure you express your enthusiasm safely:
||Winston dies tragically in the latest Call of Duty|| Game on!
*Fictional spoiler used for example purposes only!
