# Squad Server Visibility & Listing
There are **two separate levels** of visibility for a Squad server. Your Lobby Maker server is set up for the first one automatically.
---
## Level 1 — Community "Custom" Browser (automatic)
Your server advertises itself with `ShouldAdvertise=true` in `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg`, which Lobby Maker writes for you by default. So a freshly deployed server appears in the game's **Server Browser → Custom** tab within a minute or two of finishing startup — no application needed.
To find it: launch Squad → **Server Browser** → **Custom** tab → search your server name.
If it doesn't show up:
1. Make sure the server has fully started (the **Console** tab shows it running / "Engine Initialization").
2. In the **Files** tab, open `SquadGame/ServerConfig/Server.cfg` and confirm `ShouldAdvertise=true`.
3. **Restart** the server.
You can rename the server and set player limits from the **Startup** tab variables — those are written into `Server.cfg` on each start, so you don't need to edit the file by hand.
---
## Level 2 — Official Server List (requires an Offworld license)
To appear in Squad's **official** server list (not just Custom), Squad requires a **free server license** from the developer, Offworld Industries.
Until the server is licensed, the console shows messages like:
```text
LogODKOnline: Error: [Unknown] Failed to parse JSON
LogDataServerProvider: Error: Max retries reached. Login failed.
```
These are **normal for an unlicensed server** and do not stop players from joining via the Custom tab or direct connect.
To get licensed:
1. Apply at **https://license.offworldindustries.com/**.
2. Fill in your server and hardware details. If you need your server's specs or public IP, open a support ticket and we'll provide them.
3. Offworld reviews applications **manually** — it is not instant, and a license is tied to your server's specific machine/IP.
> Because licensing is a manual step handled by Offworld Industries, official-list visibility can take time and is outside Lobby Maker's control. The Custom browser (Level 1) works immediately.