How to Get More Players on Your Minecraft Server in 2025 (with mcrank.net)
Launching a Minecraft server is easy.
Getting real players online every day is the hard part.
In 2025 there are thousands of servers competing for the same audience. Just dropping your IP in random Discords or buying a one-time YouTube shoutout is not enough. You need to be where players actually search for new servers — on Minecraft server lists.
One of these lists is mcrank.net — a clean, modern ranking site focused on honest, vote-based visibility.
In this short guide, you’ll learn:
- why server lists still matter;
- how to use mcrank.net to get more players;
- how to turn votes into a daily habit for your community.
Why You Need a Server List, Not Just Social Media
Social media is noisy:
- your post disappears in the feed in minutes;
- most people scroll in “bored” mode, not “I want to find a server” mode;
- your reach depends on algorithms, not on how good your server is.
A Minecraft server list works differently:
- players visit it specifically to pick a new server;
- servers are ranked;
- each server has a public profile: IP, version, mode, online, description.
If your server isn’t on a list like that, you’re missing a constant stream of targeted traffic — people who are already ready to join right now.
What mcrank.net Gives You
mcrank.net is a server ranking site designed to be simple and useful for both players and owners.
Typical features:
Top servers of the month
Fresh, active servers ranked by votes.All-time ranking
Long-term stats for stable projects.Clear server cards
Each server shows:- name;
- game mode (SMP, SkyBlock, Lifesteal, etc.);
- current online;
- number of votes;
- IP address (Java / Bedrock).
For players, this means:
- quick comparison of servers;
- easy copy-paste of IP;
- discovery of new, smaller but high-quality projects.
For owners, this means:
- extra traffic channel without complex ads;
- public landing page for the server;
- fair competition: the more your community votes, the more visible you are.
How to Add Your Server to mcrank.net (Quick Start)
The exact UI may change, but the logic is always similar.
1. Create an account
- Go to mcrank.net.
- Sign up with your email and a strong password.
- Log into your dashboard.
2. Add your server
- Click “Add Server” (or similar) in the menu.
- Fill in:
- Name: e.g.
MinePix SMP,CoolLifesteal,YourBrand Network; - IP + port (Java and Bedrock if available);
- Version:
1.21.x,1.20.x, etc.; - Game modes: Survival, SMP, Lifesteal, SkyBlock, OneBlock, Anarchy, Mini-Games…;
- Short description;
- Links: Discord, website, store, wiki.
- Name: e.g.
A simple, strong description example
“1.21 Survival SMP • Friendly community • No pay-to-win • Jobs & economy • Daily events & quests.”
Keep it:
- short (1–3 sentences);
- clear (no caps spam or color chaos);
- focused on what makes you unique (quests, economy, builds, story, etc.).
3. Keep your listing updated
- Update description after big updates;
- Fix version and IP if anything changes;
- Add new modes only when they’re actually playable.
Votes = Visibility: Turn Voting into a Daily Habit
On server lists, votes are your fuel:
- more votes → higher rank → more clicks → more players;
- most sites allow one vote per player per 24 hours.
Your job is to make “vote for the server” part of your players’ daily routine.
1. Give rewards for voting
Use NuVotifier or a similar plugin + reward plugin and give:
- money in-game;
- crate keys;
- cosmetic items (hats, pets, trails);
- temporary buffs (x2 money, x2 XP for 30–60 minutes).
Formula to follow:
“I vote → I instantly get something useful or cool.”
2. Build a clear /vote flow
Make voting stupidly easy:
Command
/vote:- prints your mcrank.net vote link;
- shows all vote links if you use several lists;
- explains the reward in one line.
Add:
- clickable chat messages;
- signs or NPCs in spawn;
- a menu item (“Vote & Rewards”) in your GUI.
3. Run monthly “vote events”
Turn voting into a game:
- Double vote rewards week;
- Target: “If we hit 300 votes this month — global reward for all online”;
- Top voters of the month get:
- unique prefix/title;
- cosmetic pet;
- rank upgrade or special donor rank.
Don’t Forget: Traffic Is Useless If Players Don’t Stay
A server list can send you a lot of new players — but retention depends on your server.
Focus on three things:
1. Clear concept
Answer the question:
“Why should anyone play here and not on another SMP?”
Examples:
- deep jobs & economy system (shops, auction, player market);
- custom quests, dungeons, or skills;
- cozy, community-driven towny vibes;
- story / lore with server-wide events.
2. Fair monetization (no hard pay-to-win)
Avoid:
- overpowered donor kits that destroy balance;
- extremely slow progress for non-donors;
- locking all fun content behind money.
Good ideas instead:
- cosmetic ranks (prefixes, cosmetics, effects);
- QoL features (extra homes, backpacks);
- non-game-breaking boosters.
3. Real community
What actually keeps players:
- regular events: build competitions, PvP tournaments, boss raids, seasonal quests;
- active Discord (screenshots, memes, announcements, voice chat for events);
- fast support and strict anti-cheat / anti-toxic rules.
A server where it feels alive and welcoming will turn visitors from mcrank.net into long-term players.
Your Next Steps (Simple Checklist)
You can do this literally today:
- Create an account on mcrank.net and add your server.
- Write a short, clear description with your main features and no noise.
- Set up voting + rewards via plugins (money, keys, cosmetics, buffs).
- Promote your mcrank.net link in
/vote, Discord and on your site. - Plan at least 1–2 events per month so new players have a reason to stay.
Even a small server can grow into a stable project if you:
- show up on rankings like mcrank.net;
- reward players for daily votes;
- deliver a fair and fun experience inside the game.
Start with the easiest step:
add your server to mcrank.net and convert votes into real players.