Mastodon does not include a built-in quote post feature like Twitter or Bluesky. Some Mastodon instances enable quote posts through a server-side setting, but this toggle is not visible to all users. If your instance supports quote posts, you can enable the feature from your instance preferences. This article explains how to check if your instance supports quote posts and how to turn on the quote post toggle so you can use the feature.
Key Takeaways: Enabling Quote Posts on Mastodon
- Preferences > Appearance > Show quote posts: The toggle to enable or disable quote posts in your Mastodon interface.
- Instance admin setting: Quote posts must be enabled server-wide by the instance administrator before users can see the toggle.
- Quote post icon (two overlapping speech bubbles): Appears on the compose area or post options after the toggle is turned on.
How Quote Posts Work on Mastodon
Mastodon is built on the ActivityPub protocol, which does not define a standard quote post feature. Some Mastodon instances add quote posts as a custom extension. When an instance enables quote posts, users can repost another user’s post with added commentary, similar to a retweet with a comment on Twitter.
The quote post feature is optional. Instance administrators must enable it in the server configuration file or through an admin panel toggle. Once enabled at the server level, each user sees a toggle in their own appearance settings to turn quote posts on or off. If the server has not enabled quote posts, the toggle does not appear at all.
Quote posts are not federated to instances that do not support the feature. When you quote a post, only users on instances that also support quote posts see the quoted content. Users on other instances see a link to the original post instead of an embedded quote.
Steps to Enable Quote Posts on Your Mastodon Instance
Before you start, confirm that your instance supports quote posts. Ask your instance administrator or check the instance about page. If quote posts are enabled, follow these steps to turn on the toggle in your account settings.
- Open your Mastodon preferences
Click the gear icon in the top-right corner of the Mastodon web interface. This icon is located next to your profile picture. A dropdown menu appears. Select Preferences from the menu. - Go to the Appearance section
In the left sidebar of the Preferences page, click Appearance. This section controls how Mastodon displays content and interactions on your account. - Find the quote posts toggle
Scroll down until you see the heading Quote posts. Below it is a checkbox labeled Show quote posts. If the checkbox is not present, your instance does not support quote posts, or the administrator has not enabled them server-wide. - Check the Show quote posts box
Click the checkbox once to place a checkmark in it. The toggle is now enabled. The change takes effect immediately without saving a separate form. - Return to your timeline
Close the Preferences tab or navigate back to your home timeline. The quote post icon appears on each post in your timeline. The icon looks like two overlapping speech bubbles. Click this icon to quote the post.
To disable quote posts later, follow the same steps and uncheck the Show quote posts box.
If the Quote Posts Toggle Is Missing
The Show quote posts checkbox does not appear in Appearance settings
This means your instance administrator has not enabled quote posts at the server level. Quote posts are not a default Mastodon feature. The administrator must add the QUOTE_POSTS_ENABLED environment variable or edit the configuration file to enable the feature. If you are a regular user, contact your instance admin and ask them to enable quote posts. If you are the admin, check the Mastodon documentation for your version to locate the correct configuration setting.
Quote posts appear but do not federate to other instances
Quote posts only federate to instances that also support the feature. If you quote a post and the quoted content does not appear on another instance, that instance likely does not have quote posts enabled. This is expected behavior. The original post still appears as a link on instances without quote post support.
The quote post icon is missing from the compose area
The quote post icon appears on existing posts, not in the compose box. To quote a post, locate the post you want to quote in your timeline. Click the two overlapping speech bubble icon on that post. A compose window opens with the quoted post embedded. If you do not see the icon, return to the Appearance settings and confirm the Show quote posts checkbox is checked.
Mastodon Quote Posts vs Other Platforms Quote Features
| Item | Mastodon Quote Posts | Twitter Quote Tweets |
|---|---|---|
| Server-side toggle | Must be enabled by instance admin | Always enabled by default |
| User toggle | Show quote posts checkbox in Appearance settings | No user toggle; always visible |
| Federation | Only visible to instances that also support the feature | Visible to all Twitter users |
| Icon | Two overlapping speech bubbles | Retweet icon with a plus sign |
| Character limit | Subject to the instance post length limit (default 500 characters) | Subject to the platform limit (280 characters) |
Mastodon quote posts are less universal than Twitter quote tweets. Not every Mastodon instance supports them, and federation is limited. If you need to comment on a post without quote support, you can copy the post link and paste it into a new post with your commentary. This method works on all instances regardless of quote post availability.