How to Follow a User on a Different Mastodon Instance

You want to follow someone who uses a different Mastodon server than yours. Mastodon is a federated network, meaning users on different instances can still interact. This article shows you the exact steps to follow a user on another instance using their full handle or profile URL. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes like typos or incorrect search methods.

Understanding Federation and User Handles on Mastodon

Mastodon is not a single website. It is a network of independent servers called instances. Each instance has its own rules, moderators, and user base. But these instances talk to each other using a protocol called ActivityPub. This lets you follow people on other instances as if they were on your own server.

Every Mastodon user has a unique handle that works like an email address. The handle format is @username@instance.social. For example, if your username is jane on mastodon.social, your full handle is @jane@mastodon.social. You must use this full format when searching for a user on a different instance. Searching for just the username will only show local users on your instance.

You do not need to create an account on the other instance. Your home instance handles all federation tasks automatically. Once you follow someone remotely, their public posts appear in your federated timeline and your home feed. You can reply, boost, and favorite those posts normally.

Three Methods to Follow a User on a Different Instance

You can use any of the following methods. All three achieve the same result. Choose the one that fits your situation best.

Method 1: Search by Full Handle

This is the most direct method. You need the user’s complete handle.

1. Copy the user’s full handle
   Ask the user for their handle or find it on their profile. The handle always starts with @ and contains an @ before the instance domain. Example: @techwriter@mastodon.online.
2. Open your instance’s search box
   Click the magnifying glass icon or press Ctrl+F on your keyboard. The search box appears at the top of the screen.
3. Paste the full handle
   Paste the entire handle including both @ symbols. Press Enter. Mastodon searches across the entire federated network.
4. Select the user from results
   After a few seconds, the user’s profile appears in the search results. Click their name or avatar to open their profile page.
5. Click the Follow button
   On the user’s profile, click the Follow button. The button changes to Following. You will now see their public posts in your home feed.

Method 2: Use the Profile URL

If you have the user’s profile web address, you can use it directly.

1. Get the user’s profile URL
   The profile URL looks like https://instance.social/@username. You can get this from the user or from their posts on other platforms.
2. Paste the URL into your instance’s search box
   Open the search box on your instance. Paste the full URL. Do not use the browser’s address bar on your instance. Use the search box inside Mastodon.
3. Press Enter
   Mastodon resolves the URL and fetches the user’s profile from the remote instance. This may take a few seconds.
4. Follow the user
   Click the Follow button on the profile page. The button confirms the action.

Method 3: Use the Remote Follow Button

Some instances and user profiles include a special remote follow button. This method is useful when you are on a different instance and want to follow a user without switching contexts.

1. Locate the remote follow button
   On the user’s profile page on their own instance, look for a button labeled Remote Follow or Follow. It may be near the regular Follow button.
2. Click the remote follow button
   A form opens asking for your full handle or your instance address.
3. Enter your full handle
   Type your handle in the format @yourusername@yourinstance.social. Click Submit or Follow.
4. Confirm on your instance
   Your instance may redirect you to a confirmation page. Click Follow to complete the action.

Common Issues When Following Users Across Instances

Search Returns No Results for a Remote User

This usually happens because the handle is typed incorrectly. Double-check the username and the instance domain. Mastodon handles are case-sensitive. Also, the instance you are searching must be federated with the remote instance. If your instance has blocked the remote instance, you cannot follow users there. Check your instance’s federation settings or contact your admin.

Follow Button Does Not Appear or Is Grayed Out

The remote instance may have restricted visibility. If the user has a private account or has disabled federation discovery, the Follow button may not work. Also, some instances limit following from new or unverified accounts. Wait a few hours or contact the user to confirm their account settings.

Profile URL Redirects to Your Instance’s Homepage

This happens when you paste the URL into the browser’s address bar instead of the Mastodon search box. Always use the search box within your Mastodon interface. If you use the browser address bar, your instance may redirect you to its own homepage because it does not recognize the external URL as a search query.

Mastodon Native Search vs Remote Follow Button

Item	Search by Full Handle	Remote Follow Button
Description	Type the user’s full handle into your instance’s search box	Use a dedicated form on the remote user’s profile page
Requires	Full handle format @user@instance	Your own full handle or instance address
Works offline	No, requires network lookup	No, requires network lookup
Best for	Quick following from your own instance	Following when browsing the remote instance directly

You can now follow any Mastodon user regardless of which instance they use. Use the search box on your instance with their full handle for the fastest result. If you have the profile URL, paste it into the search box instead of the browser address bar. For a more direct approach, use the remote follow button on the user’s profile page. After following, check your home feed to confirm their posts appear. If you follow many remote users, consider creating a list to organize their posts separately from your local timeline.