CFX Server List Ranking Guide: Settings & Listing Hygiene
You want your server to show up, get clicked, and keep players. This guide gives you exact steps that move the needle today: cleaner naming, better descriptions, correct banners,…
You want your server to show up, get clicked, and keep players. This guide gives you exact steps that move the needle today: cleaner naming, better descriptions, correct banners, tight server.cfg, and performance basics that lift retention.
This guide is part of our , covering everything from initial setup to scaling your community.
Quick wins: clean name and description
Your name and first 150 characters decide most clicks. Keep it readable, specific, and honest.
Don’t do
- ALL CAPS, ? spam, fake regions, or walls of tags
- Keyword stuffing or false promises (“1000+ players 24/7”)
Do this instead
- Lead with identity → framework, region, style
- Add one hook → unique activity, whitelist, or language
- End with a clear CTA → “Join Discord on connect.”
Name examples
- Before:
? EU BEST RP | NEW | 100K START | REAL CARS | ACTIVE STAFF ? - After:
Los Santos Horizon — EU | Serious RP | ESX | 18+ - Before:
GERMAN CITY | FUN RP | CUSTOM MLOS - After:
Vinewood Life — DE | Semi‑Serious | QBCore | Jobs & Criminal
Description opener (first 2–3 lines) examples
- Before:
WELCOME!!! JOIN NOW FAST STAFF ON 24/7 GIVEAWAYS!! - After:
Story‑driven RP with clean HUD, weekly cases, and fair economy. EU evenings are busiest. New to RP? You get onboarding at City Hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to keep my FiveM server's tick time low?
Low tick times are crucial for maintaining smooth performance and preventing frame drops for players. High tick times indicate that the server is struggling to process tasks efficiently, leading to lag and a poor user experience. This can result in players leaving your server, negatively impacting your server's ranking and word-of-mouth reputation. Ideally, heavy resources on an idle server should sit at 0.00–0.02 ms.
What are some common problems that can prevent my FiveM server from showing up in the server list, and how can I fix them?
Several issues can prevent your server from appearing in the CFX server list. Two common problems are an invalid license key and blocked heartbeats. To resolve an invalid license key, re-issue it on Keymaster and restart your server. For blocked heartbeats, ensure your game ports are open and forwarded correctly, and that your firewall rules aren't rate-limiting connections. Addressing these issues will help ensure your server is visible and accessible to players.
How should I format my FiveM server's name and description to attract more players?
Your server's name and the first 150 characters of your description significantly influence whether potential players click on your listing. Avoid using all caps, excessive symbols, misleading region claims, or keyword stuffing. Instead, lead with your server's identity (framework, region, style), add a unique selling point (activity, whitelist, language), and end with a clear call to action (e.g., 'Join Discord on connect'). A concise and honest description of your server's features and community can significantly improve click-through rates.
