Full text search has been merged in #Mastodon `main` branch, and will be in the next (and final?) 4.2.0 beta 🎉
It is opt-in, so it will take some time to be filled with people content as they enable their profile to be indexed, but this was one of the most wanted Mastodon features for some time.
We plan to deploy it to mastodon.social and mastodon.online in the coming days to have a bit more feedback on it and see how it behaves in the wild.
To opt into your content being searchable, once your instance is upgraded to support this feature, head to the your profile, and the new “Privacy and reach" tag, then tick the "include public posts in search”.
We will try to ensure users know this setting exists, nothing 100% defined yet, but we may add a dismissible banner asking to review your privacy settings page.
Full-text search allows you to search for words in the content of statuses (if your instance has ElasticSearch configured), compared to the current version which only allows searching for hashtags.
In addition, you get a whole lot of search modifiers for advanced search (no UI for those yet):
has:image / has:video / has:audio / has:media
has:poll / has:link / has:embed
is:sensitive / is:reply
language:en
from:account
before:2023-08-08
after:2023-08-08
during:2023-08-08
And regardless, when being opt-in causes it to fail and people start clamouring for opt-out what then?
Search shouldn't be supported because it is being demanded by people who want this to be like Twitter, when it's strength comes from not being Twitter. 🤦♂️
Mastodon should move away from not towards Twitter.
@LizEllisPhD @OutOnTheMoors @renchap I wouldn't use that because it is too restrictive.
I *want* people to discover me, but through organic connections such as boosts by those they follow. That makes for organic, growth that is more about quality and connection.
Search is a different thing and will change the nature of connections, communities and Mastodon.
Other people want to use Mastodon differently though and their needs are just as valid.
The developers are trying to meet the requirements for a broad spectrum of people and find the right balance. That's not an easy thing to do but I think they're making a solid attempt.
@mackaj
Compromise isn't appropriate in all situations, such as when it moves the project towards features that were defined not for users benefit, but for profit
Because users want, or expect features they are used to elsewhere, perhaps without knowing or thinking about their impact, is not enough reason to accede to their requests. Let them choose a service that suits them rather than degrade one that works well and was built w different goals/values.
Who is making profit out of this?
Discoverability has been Mastodon's Achilles heal and these improvements will go some way to addressing that.
Personally I welcome these changes. I know you won't agree, and that's fine.
Twitter was built for profit and that's the reason Mastodon is and must stay different, and not try to mimic a system that was built for profit rather than users' benefit.
Perhaps when you consider that, and that there are different use cases, some benefiting from search and some hindered or degraded by it you will see the point I'm making.
Because something was useful on Twitter doesn't make it desirable here unless you want Twitter again.
I don't get it. There are no adverts here to drive a profit economy off the back of Mastodon. And I fail to see how improving the ability of users to find others who are enjoying the same game they are playing, or reading the same scientific paper is going to change that in any way.
Is the QT function going to be included?
Thanks, I'd heard rumours. I think it is a real limitation to some engagement. I can appreciate the technical considerations.
@renchap @Julianoe @prachisrivas @cestfleuve I need to find the source again, but I did see some good evidence,very much to my surprise, that the abuse of quote posts has been overstated.
That is not to say it doesn’t happen, but it’s not the boogeyman I and others thought it was.
@wiredfire interested in that link if you find it again. I think it really depends of who/what you are on social media. Maybe in average not so much... but again : the average user on social media is just a lurker so...
anyway, we'll see
@Julianoe @wiredfire @renchap @cestfleuve
My opinion reposted here: Having QTs where users are notified if they are quoted is much better than the option that people are using now - to screenshot posts. Users have no control and are not notified.
I use QTs to 'cite the source' and to give context. As an academic, it is very efficient and more contextually fair way to comment.
As with most things, how a feature is used is the issue. If someone has malintent they will use any feature to harm.
@prachisrivas @Julianoe @wiredfire @renchap I wasn't aware people were doing screenshots from Mastodon to share on Mastodon. Must just not be in my feed.
Something I like about the lack of QPs is it forces me to engage directly with the post. Someone says something, and I can bounce off them right there in replies. Whereas with QPs I might be tempted to make it a QP so it appears in my thread, and the discussion is sort of fragmented.
@Julianoe @prachisrivas @wiredfire @renchap problem on official Mastodon app is it will open those links in a browser instead of in the app where you can interact with it.
I'll often just reply to OP, then share my reply to my feed.
@matunos @Julianoe @wiredfire @renchap @cestfleuve
I'd prefer to know rather than not. The other way, one would never know. One could block accounts in that instance and report them. I've had my fair share on Twitter, especially during the height of the pandemic engagement. But again, it depends on intention.
My feeling is that having QTs where users are notified if they are quoted is much better than the option that people are using now which is to screenshot posts. Users have no control and are not notified.
I use QTs to 'cite the source' and to provide context to comments. As an academic, it is a very efficient and much more contextually fair way to comment.
As with most things, how a feature is used is the issue. If someone has malintent they will use any feature that way.
@renchap Hrm.. I see ... and i understand the latter point - to some extent.
Well, i'm happy to just use the friendica provided share option or a full quote.... Good luck with your endeavour. ;)
@mrcompletely @prachisrivas @renchap I can not agree to be honest.
As long as you not specifically post something in a private context, it is - like a nft - visible for everyone and one does not have any control over the point if somebody quotes it, copies it and pastes it as a quote .. or just takes a screenshot and then publish that. (Which in the latter case is actually killing any and all accessibility for blind ppl for example.).
So ... including a flag in a protocol that ones post should not be quoted, just creates a false sense of security about something we in fact have no technical control _at all_.
It's as if you just include "#NoQuotes" in your post and rely on users to respect that.
Hhhmm............
@mrcompletely @prachisrivas @renchap And in the "cultural realpolitik of the fediverse", mastodon is actually the only platform w/o a quoted post feature...
Additionally, i think, you can't fix civilisatory and social problems with laws and/or technology. There will sadly never be a sufficient solution.
@mrcompletely So you're saying, "the decision is made, regardless of any facts which might come up"?
But yes, i don't wanna debate that down to death either. ;)
What is the QT function?
It means quote posts.
@prachisrivas @renchap Mastodon has a roadmap, you can see quoting posts is on it and can monitor progress:
https://joinmastodon.org/roadmap
I'm keeping an eye on it myself.
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