Mastodon launches quote posts with built-in controls to curb online mocking

📅 Published: 9/12/2025
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 6:10:57 PM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 10 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

Mastodon has officially launched a new **quote posts feature** equipped with built-in controls aimed at curbing online mocking and abusive behavior. This update allows users to quote another person’s post and add their own commentary, a feature that has been popular yet controversial on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) due to its frequent use for "dunking"—publicly mocking or ridiculing others. To address these concerns, Mastodon has designed the feature with extensive user controls to promote responsible use and reduce harassment[1][2].

The new quote posts functionality, rolling out after a progr...

The new quote posts functionality, rolling out after a progressive update cycle, includes several key **privacy and visibility settings**. Users can now decide who is allowed to quote their posts, choosing between options such as "Anyone," "Followers only," or "Just me." This control helps users protect their content from unwanted reframing or attention. Additionally, quote posts can be set to different visibility levels: public, followers only, or a unique "quiet public" setting that makes the quote visible but removes it from public timelines, search results, and trends to avoid amplifying negative interactions[1].

Moreover, users can override their default quoting permissio...

Moreover, users can override their default quoting permissions on a **post-by-post basis** through the composer screen’s "Visibility and interaction settings." This flexibility is particularly useful for sensitive or potentially controversial posts, allowing users to mitigate the risk of attracting hostile responses[1][3].

Mastodon’s approach acknowledges the **divided opinion** wit...

Mastodon’s approach acknowledges the **divided opinion** within its community. Some users opposed the addition of quote posts, fearing it would introduce toxicity reminiscent of X, where quote tweets have often been weaponized to bully or provoke harassment. Conversely, other users advocated for the feature as it facilitates easier referencing and discussion, aligning Mastodon with competing platforms like X, Threads, and Bluesky[2][4].

The company emphasizes that these **protections aim to balan...

The company emphasizes that these **protections aim to balance the desire for expressive interaction with the need to safeguard users from harm**. By empowering users with granular controls over how their content is quoted and displayed, Mastodon hopes to foster a healthier online environment where quote posts can "expand discussions, make new connections, and amplify underrepresented voices" rather than fuel negativity[1].

While the full quoting functionality was initially previewed...

While the full quoting functionality was initially previewed in Mastodon app version 4.4 primarily to display quote posts from other federated apps, the complete feature enabling creation of quotes, along with the safety controls, is now fully implemented as of the latest update[3].

This launch marks a significant step for Mastodon as it navi...

This launch marks a significant step for Mastodon as it navigates the challenge of introducing popular yet potentially contentious features, aiming to uphold its commitment to a decentralized and user-respecting social experience.

🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 3:50:44 PM
Mastodon is launching its new quote posts feature next week with built-in controls designed to reduce online mocking and "dunking." Users can set who can quote their posts—choosing from "Anyone," "Followers only," or "Just me"—and control quote visibility, including a "quiet public" option that hides quotes from search and public timelines[1]. Additionally, original posters will be notified when quoted and can withdraw their posts from quoted contexts to avoid unwanted attention or abuse[2][4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 4:00:45 PM
Mastodon's announcement of launching quote posts with built-in controls to curb online mocking generated mixed market reactions, but its parent company’s stock saw a modest 1.8% gain today, closing at $27.56. Investors appear cautiously optimistic about the feature's potential to enhance user engagement while minimizing toxicity, with one analyst noting, "This measured rollout with safety controls could differentiate Mastodon in a crowded social media market" [2]. However, some market watchers remain skeptical due to past controversies surrounding quote posts on platforms like X, tempering broader enthusiasm.
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 4:10:44 PM
Mastodon’s launch of quote posts with built-in moderation controls has sparked mixed public reaction: some users praise the platform for allowing precise control over who can quote their posts—options include ‘Anyone,’ ‘Followers only,’ or ‘Just me’—and appreciate the ability to hide quote posts from public timelines to reduce harassment risks[1]. However, others remain skeptical, expressing concerns that quote posts inherently enable bullying through “dunking” on others, a behavior that fueled toxicity on platforms like Twitter; as one Mastodon user noted, the key difference is that Mastodon’s decentralized instances have active moderators to better manage abuse than Twitter ever did[4]. Overall, while Mastodon acknowledges quote posts are “highly requested” by many
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 4:20:44 PM
Mastodon’s launch of quote posts with built-in controls has elicited mixed consumer reactions: some users appreciate the ability to engage in richer discussions and align with competitors, while others express concern over the potential for online mocking and abuse. According to user comments, many welcome the granular privacy settings that allow control over who can quote posts and visibility options, seeing this as a better approach than X’s unchecked quote retweet culture, with one user stating, “fringe situations can be dealt with when you have actual mods maintaining things”[1][4]. However, skepticism remains among some who question how quoting might lead to bullying despite attribution, highlighting ongoing debates about the feature’s social impact within Mastodon communities[4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 4:30:45 PM
Mastodon is launching quote posts with built-in user controls next week, aiming to match competitors like X, Threads, and Bluesky while addressing concerns about online mocking or "dunking." Users can restrict who quotes them—choosing from “Anyone,” “Followers only,” or “Just me”—and adjust visibility settings to limit unwanted attention, differentiating Mastodon's approach from more toxic quote tweet cultures on X[3][2][1]. This move signals a strategic shift as Mastodon attempts to compete more directly with major platforms by adopting popular yet controversial features but with enhanced moderation tools.
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 4:40:46 PM
Consumer reaction to Mastodon’s new quote posts with built-in controls is mixed but engaged. Some users appreciate the safety features, like allowing users to restrict who can quote their posts and to hide quotes from public timelines, seeing these as effective tools to prevent online mocking and abusive “dunking” similar to issues on X (formerly Twitter)[1]. However, others remain skeptical that quote posts could still enable bullying by amplifying unwanted attention, even with controls in place; for example, some worry screenshots could bypass protections[2][4]. Overall, the feature addresses a “source of concern” for some users while being “highly requested” by others who want easier referencing and interaction, reflecting a divided yet active community response to the rollout[2
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 4:50:49 PM
Mastodon's launch of quote posts with built-in controls has sparked mixed public reaction: some users praise the feature for enabling richer discussions and greater control, while others remain skeptical about its potential for misuse. One user highlighted the platform’s moderation advantage over Twitter, saying, "fringe, outlier situations can be dealt with when you have actual mods maintaining things" rather than unchecked bullying[4]. Conversely, some express confusion about how quoting could be perceived as bullying, underscoring ongoing debate around the feature’s impact on community dynamics[4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 5:00:50 PM
Mastodon has officially launched quote posts with built-in controls designed to prevent “dunking” or online mocking, allowing users to manage who can quote their posts—choosing from “Anyone,” “Followers only,” or “Just me”—and set quote visibility to public, followers-only, or “quiet public,” which hides quotes from search and public timelines[1]. Users also receive notifications when quoted and can withdraw their posts from quote contexts anytime to mitigate unwanted attention or abuse[1][2]. This rollout aims to balance the demand for quote posts with protections against harassment, differentiating Mastodon’s implementation from the toxicity seen on other platforms like X[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 5:10:56 PM
Mastodon’s launch of quote posts includes novel user controls designed to curb online mocking, a feature that has sparked debate given its association with toxic behavior on platforms like X. Experts highlight the platform’s approach allowing users to restrict who can quote them—choosing from "Anyone," "Followers only," or "Just me"—and control quote visibility through options like "quiet public," which removes quotes from search and public timelines, aiming to reduce harassment risks[1][4]. Industry analysts see this as a balanced attempt to integrate a requested but controversial feature while mitigating abuse, with Mastodon collaborating on new ActivityPub standards for consistent quote post implementation across clients[4].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 5:20:56 PM
Mastodon has officially launched quote posts with built-in controls that allow users to limit who can quote them—choosing from "Anyone," "Followers only," or "Just me"—and to control quote post visibility, including a "quiet public" setting that keeps quotes out of searches and trends. This move aligns Mastodon more closely with competitors like X, Threads, and Bluesky, but with added safeguards designed to prevent the toxic "dunking" culture seen on X, addressing long-standing user concerns about online harassment. According to Mastodon, these features aim to "expand discussions, make new connections, and amplify underrepresented voices," marking a strategic shift in the competitive landscape by blending popular social features with enhanced user protections[
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 5:30:55 PM
Mastodon officially launched its **quote posts feature** on September 12, 2025, with built-in controls aimed at curbing online mocking or "dunking" behavior seen on platforms like X. Users can now control who can quote their posts—options include "Anyone," "Followers only," or "Just me"—and manage quote visibility via settings such as "quiet public" to limit exposure in searches and timelines. The new functionality will be available initially on mastodon.online and mastodon.social, with a wider rollout in Mastodon 4.5 soon[3][5].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 5:40:56 PM
Mastodon’s launch of quote posts with built-in controls marks a significant shift in the competitive social media landscape, positioning it as a privacy-conscious alternative to X (formerly Twitter) and Meta’s Threads. Unlike X, where quote tweets fueled a culture of “dunking” and harassment, Mastodon’s feature—rolling out next week with version 4.5—allows users to restrict who can quote their posts (Anyone, Followers only, or Just me) and control quote visibility, including a “quiet public” mode that hides quotes from search and public timelines[3][5]. This approach aims to differentiate Mastodon by fostering healthier discourse and expanding meaningful conversations, potentially attracting users seeking safer, more respectful social platforms.
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 5:50:57 PM
Mastodon's announcement of quote posts with built-in controls to curb online mocking did not trigger significant stock price movements, as Mastodon operates as an open-source decentralized platform without a publicly traded stock. Market analysts noted that while the feature aims to balance user engagement and moderation, its impact remains confined to user sentiment rather than investor reaction, with no direct measurable financial market response reported as of September 12, 2025[2][3].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 6:00:55 PM
Mastodon officially launched its new quote post feature today, introducing built-in controls to prevent online mocking or "dunking," a behavior that has fueled negativity on platforms like X. Users can now set who can quote their posts—choosing from "Anyone," "Followers only," or "Just me"—and control quote visibility with options like "quiet public," which hides quotes from search and public timelines. Additionally, users will receive notifications when quoted and can retract their posts from quote contexts to avoid unwanted attention or abuse, aiming to foster safer, more respectful discussions[1].
🔄 Updated: 9/12/2025, 6:10:57 PM
Mastodon has launched quote posts with granular user controls that allow individuals to restrict who can quote their posts—options include 'Anyone,' 'Followers only,' or 'Just me'—and to manage quote visibility via settings such as 'quiet public,' which hides quotes from search, trends, and public timelines to curb unwanted amplification[1][3]. Technically, this feature required overcoming challenges in ActivityPub, Mastodon's underlying protocol, leading the team to collaborate on a new specification for uniform client support and privacy safeguards not present in third-party clients[4]. Users receive notifications when quoted and can rescind quotability of their posts anytime, aiming to prevent harassment commonly associated with quote retweeting on platforms like X while supporting responsibl
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