Threads lets you share your public posts to the fediverse, including Mastodon. But by default, your Threads posts appear in your Mastodon followers’ main timeline, not in any custom list they may have created. This can make it hard for Mastodon users to organize your content into topic-specific feeds. This article explains how Threads fediverse sharing works with Mastodon lists and what you can do to ensure your posts land where you want them.
Key Takeaways: Threads Fediverse Sharing and Mastodon Lists
- Profile > Privacy > Fediverse sharing: Enables your public Threads posts to be shared on ActivityPub servers like Mastodon.
- Mastodon lists: Custom curated timelines that show posts from specific accounts you add to the list.
- Threads posts do not automatically appear in Mastodon lists: Mastodon users must manually add your Threads profile to a list for your posts to show there.
How Threads Fediverse Sharing and Mastodon Lists Interact
Threads uses the ActivityPub protocol to share public posts with other fediverse platforms, including Mastodon. When you enable fediverse sharing in Threads, your public posts are sent to your Mastodon account’s inbox. Mastodon then displays those posts in the Home timeline of your followers.
Mastodon lists are a separate feature. A list is a custom timeline that shows posts only from accounts a user has explicitly added to that list. Lists do not automatically include all accounts a user follows. A Mastodon user must manually add your Threads profile to a list for your posts to appear there.
This means that even if a Mastodon user follows your Threads account and has fediverse sharing enabled on your end, your posts will not appear in any of their lists unless they take the extra step of adding you to a list. This is by design: Mastodon lists give users fine-grained control over which accounts appear in each topic-specific feed.
Steps to Enable Fediverse Sharing in Threads
Before Mastodon users can add your Threads posts to their lists, you must first enable fediverse sharing on your Threads account. Follow these steps:
- Open the Threads app or website
Launch Threads on your mobile device or go to threads.net in a desktop browser. Log in to your account if you are not already signed in. - Navigate to your profile
Tap the profile icon at the bottom right of the mobile app, or click your profile picture at the top right of the desktop site. - Open Settings and Privacy
Tap or click the two horizontal lines icon at the top right of your profile page to open a menu. Select Settings and Privacy from the menu. - Go to Account settings
In the Settings menu, tap or click Account to expand the account-related options. - Enable Fediverse sharing
Tap or click Fediverse sharing. Toggle the switch to the on position. A confirmation message will appear explaining that your public posts will be shared with fediverse servers. Tap Turn On to confirm.
Once fediverse sharing is enabled, your public Threads posts will be visible to Mastodon users who follow you. They can then add your account to their custom lists.
How Mastodon Users Can Add Your Threads Account to a Custom List
If you are a Mastodon user who wants to see a Threads account’s posts in a specific list, you need to add that account to the list manually. Here is how:
- Find the Threads account on Mastodon
Search for the Threads account by its fediverse handle, which typically looks like @username@threads.net. For example, if the Threads username is example, the fediverse handle is @example@threads.net. You can find this handle in the Threads account’s profile under the bio section. - Open the account’s profile
Click or tap the search result to open the Threads account’s Mastodon profile page. This page shows the account’s public posts, bio, and follower/following counts. - Access the account menu
On the profile page, click or tap the three dots icon (more options) located near the follow button. - Select Add or Remove from Lists
From the dropdown menu, choose Add or Remove from Lists. A dialog box will appear showing your existing lists. - Choose the list or create a new one
Check the box next to the list you want to add the account to. If you need a new list, click Create List, give it a name, and then check the box for that new list. Click Save or Done to confirm.
After this, the Threads account’s public posts will appear in the selected Mastodon list. The posts will show up in the list’s timeline alongside posts from other accounts you have added to that list.
Common Issues With Threads Fediverse Sharing and Mastodon Lists
Threads Posts Are Not Visible on Mastodon at All
If Mastodon users cannot see any of your Threads posts, the most common cause is that fediverse sharing is not enabled on your Threads account. Go back to Settings > Account > Fediverse sharing and confirm the toggle is on. Also check that your Threads posts are set to public. Private and followers-only posts are not shared to the fediverse.
Mastodon List Does Not Show Threads Posts Even After Adding the Account
This can happen if the Threads account has not posted anything public since fediverse sharing was enabled. Only posts made after enabling fediverse sharing are shared. Older posts remain on Threads only. Also, ensure the Mastodon user is following the Threads account. Lists only show posts from accounts the user follows; you cannot add an unfollowed account to a list.
Threads Account Handle Does Not Appear in Mastodon Search
Mastodon search may not immediately index new fediverse accounts. Wait a few hours after enabling fediverse sharing on Threads. If the account still does not appear, ask the Mastodon user to search for the exact fediverse handle, including @threads.net at the end. Typing the full handle in the search box usually works even if the account is not indexed.
Threads Fediverse Sharing vs Mastodon Lists: Key Differences
| Item | Threads Fediverse Sharing | Mastodon Lists |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Share public Threads posts to the fediverse | Organize followed accounts into topic-specific timelines |
| Who controls it | The Threads account owner | The Mastodon user who creates the list |
| How posts appear | In the Home timeline of Mastodon followers | Only in the list timeline if the account is added |
| Requires follow | Yes, Mastodon users must follow the Threads account | Yes, the account must be followed to be added to a list |
| Manual addition needed | No | Yes, Mastodon user must add the account to each list |
Threads fediverse sharing sends your posts to the fediverse, but Mastodon lists require a deliberate action from each Mastodon user. There is no way for a Threads account to automatically appear in a Mastodon list. The Mastodon user must add the account manually.
To get your Threads posts into Mastodon lists, you need to enable fediverse sharing in your Threads settings. Then, inform your Mastodon followers that they can add your Threads account to their custom lists by finding your fediverse handle on Mastodon and using the Add or Remove from Lists option. There is no setting on the Threads side that controls how your posts appear inside Mastodon lists.
If you are a Mastodon user, remember that you can create multiple lists for different topics, such as News, Tech, or Photography. Adding a Threads account to each relevant list ensures its posts appear in the correct timeline. Use the @username@threads.net format to find any Threads account on Mastodon.