When you create a new Mastodon account, other users cannot find you by searching your display name or handle unless you adjust a specific setting. Mastodon hides accounts from search results by default to protect user privacy. This means even if your followers know your username, they may not see your profile when using the search bar on their own instance. This article explains how to enable discoverability so people can find your profile through search and how to verify the change works.
Key Takeaways: Making Your Mastodon Profile Searchable
- Preferences > Profile > Discoverable: Toggle this option on so your account appears in search results across Mastodon instances.
- Search indexing delay: After enabling discoverability, it can take up to 24 hours for your profile to appear in search results.
- Public profile requirement: Your account must be set to public (not locked) for the discoverable setting to function correctly.
Understanding Mastodon Account Discoverability
Mastodon is a decentralized social network where each instance operates independently. By default, new accounts are not indexed for search. This means a user on a different instance cannot find your profile by typing your display name into the search box. The discoverable setting controls whether your account is included in the full-text search index of your home instance and, through federation, in the search indexes of other instances.
The discoverable option is separate from locking your account. A locked account requires approval for new followers, but it can still be searchable if you enable the setting. Conversely, a public account with discoverability turned off will not appear in search results. The setting is stored in your account metadata and is broadcast to other instances during the usual federation process.
Search indexing works on a per-instance basis. When you enable discoverability, your home instance adds your profile to its local search index. Other instances that federate with yours will receive this information and may include your profile in their own search results. However, each instance administrator can decide whether to enable full-text search at all. Some small instances disable search entirely for performance reasons.
Steps to Enable Discoverability on Mastodon
- Log in to your Mastodon account
Open your preferred web browser and go to your Mastodon instance. Enter your email and password to sign in. - Open Preferences
Click the gear icon or your avatar in the top right corner of the interface. From the dropdown menu, select Preferences. - Navigate to Profile settings
In the left sidebar, click Profile to open your profile editing page. - Locate the Discoverable checkbox
Scroll down the profile settings page until you see the section labeled Profile appearance. Look for the checkbox labeled Discoverable. The text next to it reads: Include this account in the full-text search index of this instance and allow it to appear in search results across Mastodon. - Check the Discoverable box
Click the checkbox so a checkmark appears. This enables the discoverability feature for your account. - Save your changes
Scroll to the bottom of the profile settings page and click the Save changes button. A success message will appear at the top of the page. - Verify the setting is active
Return to your profile page. Open a new browser tab or browser window and log out of your Mastodon account. Use the search bar on your instance and type your display name or handle. If you see your profile appear in the search results, the setting is working.
Common Mistakes and Limitations
Search results do not appear immediately after enabling discoverability
Mastodon instances do not rebuild the search index instantly. After you save the discoverable setting, your instance may take several hours to update its search index. In some cases, the change can take up to 24 hours to propagate. If you do not see your profile in search results right away, wait a day and check again.
Account set to locked prevents followers from searching
A locked account hides your posts from users who do not follow you. While the discoverable setting still works with a locked account, users on other instances may see your profile in search results but cannot view your posts until you approve their follow request. If you want new followers to see your public timeline immediately, switch your account to public by going to Preferences > Profile and unchecking Lock account.
Instance administrator disabled full-text search
Some Mastodon instance administrators disable the full-text search feature to reduce server load. If your instance has search disabled, enabling discoverability will not make your profile appear in search results. Contact your instance admin or check the instance documentation to confirm whether full-text search is available.
Other instances do not index your profile
Federation between instances is not instant. When you enable discoverability, your home instance sends updated account metadata to other instances during the next scheduled federation update. If the other instance has not received the update, your profile may not appear in its search results. This delay is normal and usually resolves within a few hours.
| Item | Discoverable Enabled | Discoverable Disabled |
|---|---|---|
| Profile appears in local instance search | Yes | No |
| Profile appears in federated instance search | Yes, after federation delay | No |
| Locked account still searchable | Yes | No |
| Requires instance full-text search enabled | Yes | Not applicable |
After enabling discoverability, your Mastodon account becomes findable by anyone using the search feature on any federated instance. This is useful for public figures, brands, or anyone who wants to grow their audience on Mastodon. To further improve discoverability, add a clear display name and a short bio that includes relevant keywords. The search index includes display names and bios, so choose words that potential followers might use when looking for your content.