# Getting your server listed and seen

> Fix a FiveM server that is missing from the server list and understand what affects visibility: port and firewall checks with info.json, required project name and description, sv_master1 and private listing, allowing Cfx IPs from ips.txt, the 8-minute delay, upvotes and bursts, and the featured list criteria.

Source: https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-list-ranking-visibility · FAM Tools · published 2026-09-11 · updated 2026-09-11 · about 10 min

**Short answer.** Check that others can connect directly and that `http://your-ip:30120/info.json` loads from outside. Make sure `sv_projectName` and `sv_projectDesc` are set, `sv_master1 ""` is commented out, and your firewall or DDoS protection allows every Cfx.re IP from `static.cfx.re/ips.txt`. Allow up to 8 minutes after start. After that, visibility comes from player count, upvotes and bursts, and a clean listing with the right locale and tags.

## Key points

- `/info.json` reachable from outside = TCP port is fine.
- Missing project name/description = not listed.
- `sv_master1 ""` makes the server private — comment it out.
- Allow all IPs in `static.cfx.re/ips.txt` through your firewall.
- New servers can take up to 8 minutes to appear.

A server that is running fine but missing from the list is one of the most common support questions. The causes are few and checkable in minutes. Once you are listed, placement depends on players, upvotes and how well your listing matches what people filter for.

## Not listed: the checklist

1. Test direct connect from another network: F8 → `connect your-ip:30120`.
2. Open `http://your-ip:30120/info.json` from outside — it should return JSON.
3. Confirm `sets sv_projectName` and `sets sv_projectDesc` are set.
4. Make sure `sv_master1 ""` is commented out (with `#`), or the server appears private.
5. Allow every address in `https://static.cfx.re/ips.txt` if you use strict firewall/DDoS rules.
6. Wait up to 8 minutes after starting.

Ports in detail: [ports and firewall](https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-ports-firewall).

## “Could not contact the server browser”

An occasional message is harmless; a continuous one means the server cannot reach Cfx.re and will drop from the list. Restart, check port forwarding and firewall rules, and update allow-lists with all IPs from `ips.txt` — Cfx.re adds new addresses with at least a month’s notice before using them. Local development servers should set `sv_master1 ""` instead.

## NAT and home servers

Routers or gateways that rewrite UDP source ports can stop a server from appearing even when TCP works. Home hosts may need a static-port NAT setting. A VPS avoids most of this.

## What affects placement

| Factor | What you control |
| --- | --- |
| Players online | Retention and peak-time activity |
| Upvotes / bursts | Your community upvoting the server in the browser |
| Filters (locale, tags) | Correct `locale` and relevant tags |
| Click-through | Name, description, icon and banners |

Growing the player count is covered in [growing your server](https://fam-tools.com/guides/grow-fivem-server-players).

## The featured list

Featured servers (shown on the right of the list) are hand-picked by Cfx.re. Criteria include: no platform licence violations, a non-roleplay setting, English or multi-language support, regular updates, and joining with the Connect button without extra hurdles like Discord or allowlists. Applications are not open; Cfx.re picks servers itself.

## Questions

### Why is my FiveM server not showing in the server list?

Usually a closed port or firewall, missing project name/description, `sv_master1 ""` left active, or blocked Cfx.re IPs. New servers can also take up to 8 minutes.

### Why does my server show as private?

`sv_master1 ""` is active in server.cfg. Comment it out.

### What is ips.txt?

The list of Cfx.re IPs that poll servers for the browser. Strict firewalls must allow all of them.

### How do I get my server featured?

Featured servers are hand-picked; applications are not open. They are non-roleplay, well maintained and joinable with one click.

## Related

- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-project-name-description
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-list-tags-locale
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/fivem-server-connect-link-cfx-re
- https://fam-tools.com/guides/grow-fivem-server-players