Server Owner Documentation
Reference guide for server owners
Getting Started
How do I add my server to the website?
To list your server, first create an account on MCServers.me using your Google account. Once logged in (we only support Google login for security and simplicity), click the 'Add Server' button in the dashboard or navigation menu. You'll need to provide your server's name, description, and at least one IP address to get started.
What is server verification?
Server verification confirms that you are the legitimate owner of the Minecraft server. This helps prevent spam and ensures the server information is accurate.
How do I verify my server?
After adding your server, you can verify ownership directly from your dashboard by clicking the 'Verify Now' button. You will need to add a specific code to your server's MOTD (Message of the Day) that we provide. Our system will automatically check your server for the code. Once verification succeeds, you are free to change your MOTD back to whatever you'd like.
Are both Java and Bedrock editions supported?
Yes! We support both Java and Bedrock editions, and you can provide both if your server supports crossplay. Please note that if you provide different IPs for Java and Bedrock, both will need to be verified independently by adding the verification code to their respective MOTDs.
Why was my verification rejected?
Common reasons include: the verification code not being visible in your MOTD, server being offline during verification, or the code being formatted incorrectly. Check your server settings and ensure the code appears exactly as shown. Note that the verification page will show you exactly what our system is currently detecting as your server's MOTD to help you troubleshoot.
Server Status
What do the different server statuses mean?
Note that most servers are approved instantly and skip the pending stage entirely.
- Pending: Your server has been submitted and is awaiting review by moderators.
- Approved: Your server has been approved and is visible to the public.
- Rejected: Your server has been rejected. Contact moderators for details.
What makes a server get rejected?
Servers are rejected for violating our terms of service, containing inappropriate content, having misleading information, or technical issues that prevent proper listing.
What happens if my server is disabled by moderators?
If your server is disabled by the moderation team, it will be hidden from all public listings. You will see a persistent notification across the site explaining why it was disabled (e.g., content violations) and what steps, if any, are needed to get the listing re-enabled.
Server Management
Can I change visibility anytime?
Yes. As a server owner, you can toggle between Public and Hidden at any time from your dashboard. Changes take effect immediately.
What analytics are available for my server?
From your dashboard, you can track your server's performance through detailed analytics. This includes daily page views, real-time uptime monitoring, and comprehensive vote statistics to help you understand your community's engagement.
How do I update my server information?
You can update your server name, description, Java IP, Bedrock IP, ports, website, social links, and other details at any time from your dashboard by clicking the 'Edit' button next to your server. Please note that if you update your server's IP address, the listing will need to be re-verified to confirm ownership of the new address.
Can I delete my server listing?
Yes, you can delete your server listing from your dashboard by clicking 'Edit' and then selecting the delete option. This permanently removes it from our database. This action cannot be undone.
What happens when I delete my server?
- Permanent Removal: Your server is immediately removed from all listings and search results
- Data Deletion: All server data, voting history, and statistics are permanently deleted
- No Recovery: Once deleted, the server cannot be restored - you'll need to create a new listing
- URL Changes: Any existing server URLs will become invalid
Can I archive my server instead of deleting it?
Yes, archiving is a safer alternative to deletion. When you archive your server:
- Hidden from Public: Your server becomes hidden and won't appear in search results
- Data Preserved: All voting history, statistics, and server information are saved
- Easy Recovery: You can unarchive and restore your server at any time
- URL Maintained: Your server's URL remains valid and accessible to you
- No Review Required: Unarchiving doesn't require moderator approval
When should I delete vs archive my server?
Delete your server if:
- You're permanently shutting down the server
- You want to completely remove all traces of the server
- You're starting fresh with a new server identity
Archive your server if:
- Taking a temporary break or going on hiatus
- Server is under maintenance or being upgraded
- You want to preserve voting history and rankings
- You might want to return to the same server later
Voting System
How does voting work?
Players can vote for your server once per day to help it climb the rankings. Each vote increases your server's visibility and popularity score.
Can I disable voting?
Yes, as a server owner you can disable voting for your server. This prevents players from voting but does not affect your server's ranking or visibility.
How do I set up in-game voting rewards?
To enable in-game rewards for your players, you must provide your Votifier credentials (IP, Port, and Public Key) in the 'Votifier Settings' section when editing your server from the dashboard. This allows us to securely send a vote notification to your server whenever a player votes.
Can I test if my Votifier is properly set up?
Yes. You can send a test ping from the dashboard to verify your settings are correct and your server is receiving notifications. This is the best way to ensure your players will receive their rewards.
Can I control the visibility of my voters?
Yes. You can choose whether to display a public feed of recent voters on your server page. This is enabled by default, but you can disable it at any time from your dashboard settings.
Ranking & Visibility
How do I climb the hot rankings?
Our "Hot" ranking system is designed to surface high-quality servers that provide the best experience for players. The algorithm considers dozens of engagement and quality metrics, and it is designed to be fair and resistant to manipulation. Quality always matters more than quantity.
Here are some general tips to help your server remain competitive:
- Community Engagement: Encourage your players to show their support through daily voting. Active, consistent participation is key.
- Professional Branding: Servers with a complete profile, including a high-quality Banner and Favicon, are prioritized by the system.
- Clear Presentation: Use a concise, professional title and a clear, well-formatted description.
- Relevant Tagging: Only use tags that directly describe your server's content.
- Technical Reliability: Maintain high uptime and use professional connection details (such as a custom domain). Consistent technical stability is a core requirement for a high ranking.
The system is designed to detect quality over spam. Any detected spam or inaccuracies are penalized by being lowered in the ranking. For example, tagging a pure 'Survival' server with 'Creative' and 'Minigames' just to appear in more searches will actually result in a lower overall ranking as the algorithm prioritizes accurate categorization.
Our system is constantly monitored to ensure a level playing field. Attempts to "game" the system through automated voting or other severe manipulations will result in algorithmic penalties.
How are new or smaller servers supported?
We believe every community deserves a chance to grow. New listings receive an initial visibility boost to help them find their audience, and our algorithm is tuned to ensure that smaller, high-quality communities can compete fairly with established giants.
What are featured servers?
Featured servers are high-quality communities that receive a special spotlight on the homepage. These are not paid-for slots; instead, they are randomly selected from a pool of eligible, high-quality servers. Unlike regular listings that fluctuate based on their 'Hot' score, a random featured server is showcased prominently at the top of the search results to all users. This provides exceptional visibility and helps players discover exceptional communities regardless of their current ranking.
Will my server appear on Google?
Yes. Our platform is optimized for search engines, and all public server listings are automatically submitted for indexing. Most servers will appear on Google and other search engines within a few days of being listed.
How can I improve my server's visibility on search engines?
To optimize your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and attract more players from Google and other search engines, ensure you provide accurate, high-quality information in your server listing. Detailed descriptions and professional presentation help search engines understand your content, which can lead to your server page appearing higher in external search results, giving you even more exposure.
Troubleshooting
My server shows as offline but it's online
Our system checks your server every few minutes. If it shows offline, double-check your IP and port. Make sure your server is accessible from the internet and not blocking our monitoring requests.
Players can't vote for my server
Check if your server is verified and not disabled. Also ensure voting is enabled in your server settings. Players can only vote once per day per server.
I need help with something not covered here
Check our server logs for detailed information about your server's history and any moderator actions. For additional support, you can contact our moderation team through the report feature or by emailing us directly. See our contact page for all support options.
Need More Help?
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, our moderation team is here to help.
What social links can I provide?