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If you run a Mastodon server or manage a brand account, you want visitors to know your profile is authentic. Mastodon offers a built-in verification system that uses a link on your profile and a matching link on your own website. This method does not require a third-party service or a blue checkmark payment. When … Read more
When you create a Mastodon account, you choose between a locked or unlocked profile. This setting controls who can follow you without your approval. A locked account requires new followers to send a follow request that you must manually approve. An unlocked account lets anyone follow you immediately. This article explains the difference between locked … Read more
Mastodon lets you add a custom emoji to your display name. This is different from standard Unicode emoji. Custom emoji are uploaded by instance administrators and can be used by anyone on that server. They appear as small images next to your name in posts, profiles, and timelines. This article explains how to find, add, … Read more
When you enable two-factor authentication on your Mastodon account, the system generates a set of backup codes. These single-use codes let you sign in if you lose access to your authenticator app or hardware token. Without them, you can be permanently locked out of your account if your 2FA device fails. This article explains how … Read more
You want to add a hardware security key to your Mastodon account for stronger two-factor authentication. Standard app-based codes can be intercepted by phishing sites or stolen from your phone. This article explains how to register a FIDO2 or U2F security key directly in your Mastodon account settings. By the end, you will have a … Read more
You have a Mastodon account and you want to sign in on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge without re-entering credentials each time. Mastodon uses standard OAuth-based session tokens that are stored locally in each browser. This article explains how Mastodon sessions work, how to keep a session active across multiple browsers, and what to do when … Read more
If you have connected a third-party app, bot, or automated script to your Mastodon account, an API token was generated to grant that service access. Over time, you might forget about these tokens, leaving your account exposed to potential misuse if the app is compromised or abandoned. Revoking an old API token immediately cuts off … Read more
If you run a Mastodon account that receives unwanted or spam follow requests, the built-in Approve Followers feature gives you manual control over who joins your follower list. This setting is part of the Mastodon privacy options and is available on all standard instances. When enabled, every new follow request requires your explicit approval before … Read more
Mastodon displays a Network tab on your profile page that shows your followers, following, and posts in a single feed. Some users find this tab useful for monitoring engagement, while others prefer a cleaner profile without it. The visibility of the Network tab depends on your account settings and the instance you use. This article … Read more
When you compose a new post in Mastodon, the web interface and most apps apply two default settings: the post language and its visibility level. Many users leave these defaults unchanged, which can lead to posts appearing in the wrong language filter or being visible to a larger audience than intended. The language default controls … Read more