Discord Ads: Sponsored Quests Coming to Chat Apps
For years, Discord prided itself on being a place to hang out without the clutter of advertisements. That landscape is changing. The platform recently rolled out “Sponsored Quests,” a feature that integrates paid promotions directly into the user interface. While Discord describes these as optional opportunities to earn rewards, many users view them simply as ads. If you are tired of seeing promotional pop-ups in your chat app, there are concrete steps you can take to disable them.
Understanding Sponsored Quests
Discord Quests represent a shift in how the platform generates revenue. Unlike traditional banner ads that sit passively on the side of a webpage, Quests are interactive. They require you to perform a specific action to unlock a digital reward.
Usually, the requirement involves streaming a specific game to a friend on Discord for a set amount of time. For example, a recent promotion might ask you to stream The Finals or Honkai: Star Rail for 15 minutes while a friend watches. Once the task is complete, you receive an in-game item, such as a character skin or cosmetic accessory.
Discord initially tested this feature in 2023 and expanded it broadly in 2024. The company positions these quests as a way for developers to get their games in front of engaged communities. However, for users who use Discord strictly for communication, the “Quest available” notifications can be intrusive distractions.
Where These Ads Appear
You will likely encounter Sponsored Quests in three specific areas of the Discord desktop and web application:
- The Quest Bar: This appears above your user details in the bottom left corner of the screen. It often displays a “New Quest” badge or the logo of the sponsored game.
- The Gift Inventory: If you navigate to your settings, the Gift Inventory tab will list active and available quests.
- Context Menus: Occasionally, you may see prompts related to quests when interacting with friends who are playing the sponsored title.
It is important to note that these promotions are targeted. Discord uses your gameplay activity and account data to decide which Quests to show you. If you frequently play First Person Shooters, you are more likely to see a Quest for a new shooter game than a puzzle game.
How to Disable Discord Ads and Quests
Fortunately, Discord provides a way to opt out of these promotions. You can turn off the feature that displays these quests in your settings. Follow these specific steps to clean up your interface:
1. Open User Settings
Click the gear icon located in the bottom left corner of the app, right next to your username and avatar. This opens the User Settings menu.
2. Navigate to Privacy & Safety
On the left-hand sidebar, look under the “User Settings” header. Click on Privacy & Safety. This is where Discord houses data and interaction controls.
3. Locate “In-game rewards (aka Quests)”
Scroll down the page until you find the section labeled “In-game rewards (aka Quests).” The exact wording may change slightly with updates, but it will reference rewards or quests explicitly.
4. Toggle the Setting Off
You will see a toggle switch next to the text “Get rewards for playing the games you love.” Click this toggle so it turns grey (off).
By disabling this setting, you are telling Discord not to show you promotions for sponsored content. It removes the Quest alerts from your UI. However, keep in mind that this also means you will not be eligible to earn free skins or items if a game you actually enjoy runs a promotion.
Additional Privacy Settings to Consider
If your goal is to minimize targeted content, you should also review how Discord uses your data. In the same Privacy & Safety menu, look for the section titled “How we use your data.”
You can toggle off:
- Use data to improve Discord: This limits how your usage stats are used for analytics.
- Use data to customize my Discord experience: Turning this off prevents Discord from using your activity (like which servers you join or games you play) to tailor suggestions.
Disabling these does not remove ads entirely, but it stops the platform from building a specific profile on you for targeting purposes.
The Impact on Nitro Subscribers
A common frustration among the user base is that Sponsored Quests appear for everyone, including those who pay for Discord Nitro. Nitro is the platform’s premium subscription service, costing roughly $9.99 per month.
Historically, paid subscriptions in apps remove advertisements. However, because Discord classifies Quests as “content” rather than “ads,” Nitro subscribers are not automatically opted out. If you are a paying member, you must follow the same manual steps outlined above to remove the promotions from your screen.
Why Discord Changed Its Stance
For a long time, Discord’s CEO Jason Citron stated the company would rely on Nitro subscriptions rather than selling user data or ad space. The introduction of Sponsored Quests marks a strategic pivot.
Running a platform that supports high-quality voice and video streaming for millions of concurrent users is expensive. While Nitro brings in significant revenue, the company is seeking ways to monetize the millions of free users on the platform. Sponsored Quests are a middle ground: they are less visually offensive than banner ads, but they are undoubtedly a marketing vehicle.
Summary of Known Promotions
Since the launch of this feature, Discord has partnered with several high-profile publishers. Users have reported seeing quests for:
- Fortnite: Offering exclusive wraps or back bling.
- PUBG: Providing in-game currency or crates.
- Lost Ark: Offering upgrade materials.
These partnerships indicate that Quests are here to stay. They provide a direct line for publishers to reach gamers where they hang out. If you do not want to participate in this marketing ecosystem, taking thirty seconds to adjust your privacy settings is the best solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Discord Nitro remove Sponsored Quests automatically? No. Discord Nitro subscribers see the same Quest prompts as free users. You must manually disable the feature in your settings regardless of your subscription status.
Will turning off Quests affect my ability to use Discord? No. Disabling Quests only removes the promotional prompts and the ability to earn those specific rewards. Your chat, voice, and streaming features remain exactly the same.
Can I re-enable Quests later if I change my mind? Yes. You can return to User Settings > Privacy & Safety at any time and toggle “In-game rewards (aka Quests)” back on. You will immediately start seeing available promotions again.
Do these ads interrupt voice calls? Currently, Sponsored Quests do not interrupt voice or video calls with audio or video breaks. They are visual prompts located in the menus and overlays.
Is Discord selling my personal data to these game companies? Discord states that they do not sell your personal data. The Quests are targeted based on your activity on Discord, but the advertisers generally do not receive your personal information unless you click through and engage with the ad or link your accounts.