You want to temporarily stop seeing posts with a specific hashtag on Bluesky without blocking users or leaving the platform. Bluesky offers a built-in mute feature that hides posts containing a chosen word or phrase for a duration you set. This article explains how to mute a hashtag for a specific time period using the Muted Words settings in your account.
Key Takeaways: Muting a Hashtag on Bluesky Temporarily
- Settings > Moderation > Muted Words: Hides posts containing the listed words from feeds and notifications.
- Duration options in Muted Words: Choose from 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, or Forever for each muted word.
- Muted words apply to the entire account: The filter works across all feeds, including the Home tab and search results.
How Bluesky Muted Words Work for Hashtags
Bluesky Muted Words is a moderation tool that hides posts containing specific words or phrases from your feeds and notifications. When you add a hashtag like #spoiler to the muted list, any post that includes that hashtag becomes invisible to you. The post still exists and other users can see it, but it is removed from your view.
The mute is case-insensitive. Muting #SPOILER also hides posts with #spoiler or #Spoiler. The feature applies to the entire account, so it works on the Home feed, the Discover feed, custom feeds, and search results. It does not block the user who posted the content, only the specific hashtag.
Before you start, you need a Bluesky account and access to the Settings menu. The mute feature is available on the Bluesky web app and the official mobile apps for iOS and Android. The steps are the same across all platforms.
Steps to Mute a Hashtag for a Set Time Period
- Open the Settings menu
On the Bluesky web app, click the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner. On mobile, tap your profile avatar in the bottom-right corner, then tap the gear icon in the top-right corner. - Go to Moderation settings
In the Settings menu, scroll down to the Moderation section and tap or click Moderation. This opens the content filtering options. - Select Muted Words
Under the Moderation heading, tap or click Muted Words. A list of any currently muted words or phrases appears. - Tap the Add button
Tap the + icon or the Add button to create a new muted word entry. - Type the hashtag exactly as you want to mute
In the text field, type the hashtag including the # symbol. For example, type #spoiler to mute that specific hashtag. Do not add spaces or extra characters. - Choose the mute duration
Below the text field, tap or click the dropdown menu labeled Duration. Select one of these options: 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, or Forever. The duration starts from the moment you save the entry. - Save the muted word
Tap or click Save or the checkmark icon to confirm. The hashtag appears in your Muted Words list with the selected duration and an expiration date.
After saving, posts containing the muted hashtag disappear from your feeds within a few seconds. The mute applies to all future posts and to posts already loaded in your feed, but it does not retroactively hide posts you saw before adding the mute.
Common Mistakes and Limitations When Muting Hashtags
Muting the hashtag without the # symbol
If you type only the word without the # symbol, Bluesky mutes the word itself, not the hashtag. For example, muting spoiler hides any post containing the word spoiler, even if it is not used as a hashtag. To mute only the hashtag, always include the # symbol.
Muted words do not hide replies or quote posts
The mute filter applies to the text of the post itself. If a user replies to a post and includes the muted hashtag in the reply text, that reply is hidden. However, if the original post contains the muted hashtag and someone replies without the hashtag, the reply still appears in your feed. The mute also does not hide quote posts that embed the original post with the hashtag.
Duration cannot be changed after saving
Once you save a muted word with a duration, you cannot edit the duration. To change it, you must delete the entry and add a new one with the correct duration. To delete an entry, go to Settings > Moderation > Muted Words, tap the entry, and select Remove or swipe left on mobile.
Muted words do not work in direct messages
The Muted Words feature only affects public feeds and notifications. It does not filter content in direct messages or private chats. If someone sends you a DM containing the muted hashtag, you still see the message.
Muted Words vs Other Moderation Tools on Bluesky
| Item | Muted Words | Block User | Mute User |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it hides | Posts with a specific word or phrase | All posts from a user | All posts from a user |
| Duration options | 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, Forever | Permanent only | Permanent only |
| User interaction | User can still interact with you | Completely prevents interaction | User can still reply to your posts |
| Applies to notifications | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Retroactive effect | No | Yes | Yes |
Muted Words is the only Bluesky tool that lets you set a time limit on content filtering. Blocking and muting users are permanent actions with no expiration date. For temporary hashtag avoidance, Muted Words is the correct choice.
You can now mute any hashtag on Bluesky for a specific duration using the Muted Words settings. To avoid repeated manual entries, use the same hashtag format each time and check the expiration dates in the Muted Words list. For longer-term moderation, consider combining Muted Words with user muting to keep your feed clean without permanent blocks.