Taylor LorenzJournalists will never stick around this app long term sadly unless it adds quote posting. We desperately need it to communicate effectively, build on each others ideas, and add crucial context to posts. These are things replies simply do not accomplish. Also quote posting or reblogging does not = harassment! Tumblr, for instance, has had the feature since the beginning. We need it here now too 🙏🏻
Long Truong @taylorlorenz quote posting is available with alternative server software! I wish more people knew this
@Lxtruong I’m dumb how does this work? I’m on the app and I don’t see a way to do it and everything shows as links there’s not even link previews 😰
Oops uou might not see my example bc you were tagged. It's here https://i.calckey.cloud/notes/994oo646qk
Dr Pieter Peach@Lxtruong @taylorlorenz are there native client apps with this functionality?
@PieterPeach @taylorlorenz I'm unaware of any. There are other things deliberately unavailable in Mastodon (toot level text searches) that are available in other compatible software as well.
@Lxtruong @taylorlorenz this text level search (outside of your own posts) would presumably require servers to allow scraping and indexing? My understanding this is not consensus behaviour
@Lxtruong @PieterPeach oh wow you can’t even search the text of toots posted on Mastodon? That also seems like a huge issue for journalists seeking to use this platform. I’m sure there are reasons why but dang
@taylorlorenz @Lxtruong search is limited to hashtags intentionally, but again, there may be a way to allow indexing of your content with permission (I think some of this opt-in functionality for search engine visibility already exists). It’s about making a safer environment that allows engagement with an open network, but on a user’s own terms on how their data and content is used.
Brandon Kraft ❤️🔥🧡@PieterPeach @taylorlorenz @Lxtruong instance owners can add Elasticsearch which would allow for full-text indexing and search for federated posts known to the instance.
There's a financial cost so if you're on an instance that some method to recoup costs, I'd reckon more easy to add.
@kraft @PieterPeach @taylorlorenz this is key right. Search is limited WITHIN Mastodon servers but there is nothing preventing non-Masto servers from searching Mastodon toots. As shown by the screenshot above. It's really only a halfway measure at best imo
@kraft @PieterPeach @taylorlorenz and it absolutely does not require opt-in. As of right now the only way to avoid it is to deferderate from every non Mastodon server
@Lxtruong @taylorlorenz @PieterPeach nod. I don't know the intentions of the Mastodon developers but the search functionality now seems totally a technical limitation. Kinda like search on a WordPress site. By default it is horrible because of lack of full index in MySQL for the posts.
Throw on ES and it's a ton better. Just with the added work, cost, maintenance of ES being on the server now.
@Lxtruong @taylorlorenz @kraft Here are some post visibility options below. Do these have any impact on search indexing?
@PieterPeach @taylorlorenz @kraft direct posts wouldn't show up on my server, so that definitely would have an affect. Every public post is likely searchable. Unknown about the other two
Reach for the Stars 
When you hit post the text goes off to your local instance that has to decide what to do with it. If it is Public it will be sent to every instance where someone follows your account as well as the instances of account you have tagged (e.g. if you respond to a post). Your post will also be added to your local feed and the Federated feed of each instance.
Unlisted is a request not to put a post in the news feeds. It goes to all the same placed as public, but doesn't end up places like Home, Local, or Federated (a nice thing to do for posts that only make sense as part of the thread they are in)
Followers asks that servers only make the post available to people who follow you. In conjunction with locked accounts this gives some measure of control, but you are dependent on the good faith of other instances for this privacy.
Direct is just like any other post, but it is sent only to the server of the recipient(s) with instructions to share it only with those users. Again you are totally dependent on the good faith of the instances to honor this request.
Some instances like mine also have a Local option which not let the post go beyond your local instance. If you have a local instance that is a safe space for you, you can use Local visibility and know that only people on your own safe instance will ever see it.
Darnell Clayton 