When you see a post on Bluesky that you want to share your own thoughts about, you need to quote post it. A quote post lets you repost someone else’s content while adding your own text above it. This is different from a simple repost, which only shares the original post without any added commentary. This article shows you exactly how to quote post on Bluesky using the desktop website and the mobile app.
Key Takeaways: Quote Posting on Bluesky
- Share button > Quote Post: The only way to add your own text above someone else’s post when reposting it.
- Quote Post vs Repost: Quote posts allow commentary; reposts share the original post without any added text.
- Embedded preview card: The original post appears as a clickable card below your commentary in the timeline.
What Is a Quote Post on Bluesky
A quote post, sometimes called a quote retweet on other platforms, is a way to share a post from another user while adding your own message. On Bluesky, this feature is built directly into the Share menu. When you quote post, your commentary appears at the top of the post, and the original post is shown below as an embedded preview card. Other users can click the preview to view the original post in full.
The quote post feature is available on all Bluesky clients: the web app at bsky.app, the official iOS app, and the official Android app. You do not need any special settings or permissions to use it. The feature works with any public post, including posts from accounts you do not follow.
Before you can quote post, you need a Bluesky account and you must be logged in. The process is nearly identical across platforms, with only minor differences in button placement.
Steps to Quote Post on Bluesky Desktop
- Find the post you want to quote
Open Bluesky in your web browser at bsky.app. Scroll through your timeline, or use the Search bar to find a specific post. - Click the Share button
Look below the post text. You will see a row of icons: a heart, a chat bubble, a Repost button that looks like two arrows forming a square, and a Share button that looks like a box with an arrow pointing upward. Click the Share button. - Select Quote Post from the menu
A small menu appears with options: Share via Link, Copy Link, and Quote Post. Click Quote Post. A new post composer window opens. - Write your commentary
In the composer window, your cursor is already in the text area. Type your commentary. The original post appears as a gray preview card below your text. You cannot edit the original post’s text. - Post your quote
Click the blue Post button in the lower-right corner of the composer. Your quote post now appears in your timeline and in the feeds of your followers.
Steps to Quote Post on Bluesky Mobile App
- Open the Bluesky app on your phone
Launch the Bluesky app on iOS or Android. Make sure you are logged in to your account. - Navigate to the post you want to quote
Swipe through your timeline or use the Search icon at the bottom of the screen to find the post. - Tap the Share icon
Below the post text, tap the Share icon. It looks like a box with an arrow pointing upward. On some phones, this icon may be labeled Share. - Tap Quote Post from the pop-up menu
A menu slides up from the bottom of the screen. Tap Quote Post. The composer screen opens with the original post previewed at the bottom. - Enter your commentary and tap Post
Tap the text field at the top of the composer and type your message. When you are ready, tap the blue Post button in the upper-right corner. Your quote post is published immediately.
Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid When Quote Posting
Accidentally reposting instead of quoting
The Repost button and the Share button are next to each other. Tapping the Repost button once will simply repost the original post without any commentary. To quote post, you must tap the Share button and then select Quote Post. If you repost by accident, tap the Repost button again and select Undo Repost from the menu.
Quote post does not appear in your profile
If you cannot find your quote post on your profile, check that you actually published it. Open your profile and scroll to the top of your timeline. Quote posts appear just like regular posts. If you see the original post but not your commentary, you may have used the Repost button instead of the Quote Post option. Delete the repost and repeat the steps above.
Cannot quote post a post that was deleted
If the original post is deleted by its author before you publish your quote post, the preview card will show a message that the post is unavailable. You can still publish your quote post, but the preview will be broken. To avoid this, quote post the content as soon as you see it.
Quote post limit of 300 characters
Your commentary in a quote post is subject to Bluesky’s standard post length limit of 300 characters. If your commentary is longer, you will see a character counter turning red. Shorten your text before posting. You cannot post a quote with zero characters in the commentary field.
Quote Post vs Repost: Key Differences
| Item | Quote Post | Repost |
|---|---|---|
| Adds your own text | Yes | No |
| Shows original post as preview | Yes, as a clickable card | Yes, as a full embedded post |
| Appears in your timeline | Yes, with your commentary | Yes, as the original post |
| Visible to followers | Yes | Yes |
| Can be deleted individually | Yes | Yes |
| Character limit for added text | 300 | Not applicable |
You can now quote post on Bluesky with your own commentary. Use the Share button on any post, select Quote Post, and type your message. For longer discussions, consider writing a thread of multiple posts. A useful tip: you can quote post your own previous posts to continue a conversation or add a follow-up thought.