The “Lists” feature lets you create mini-timelines that show posts from selected accounts you already follow. You can also optionally hide listed accounts’ posts from your main timeline, and just browse them on the lists.
Why would I want to make a List?
If your main timeline is getting a bit crowded from following so many people, you can add accounts to Lists and then hide them from your main timeline (see instructions further down the page).
Alternatively you might just prefer having themed Lists to browse. For example, you could create a List which just shows posts from artists you follow, or just news accounts, or whatever kind of theme you want.
Okay, so how do I actually make a List on Mastodon?
You can create and use Lists on your server’s website, on the Mastodon web app and on some third party Mastodon apps such as Tusky for Android or Mona ⧉ for iPhone/iPad.
To create a list through the web version of Mastodon:
- Open your profile page, then click on the section marked Following.
- Browse through the accounts you follow. When you find an account you want to add to a list, click on their name to open their profile page.
- On the profile of the person you want to add, click on the ︙ symbol and select Add or remove from lists. This will cause the Lists editor to open.
- Create a new list by typing a name for the list into the white box (you can skip this step if you’ve already created a suitable list).
- Click the + sign next to the list you want to add the account to.
- Click anywhere outside the Lists editor box to close the editor.
- You can browse Lists by clicking the Lists icon on the right of the screen (three horizontal lines with three dots). If you’re using the website through a computer, direct links to lists will also be visible on the right side of the screen.
- Don’t worry if a list looks empty. Lists always start out empty as they don’t show posts from before the list was created, but you will start seeing new posts appear on the list over time.
- To edit or delete an existing list, click on the list’s name to open it and then click on the slider icon in the top right corner of the list. This editor also includes a search box for searching accounts you follow, if you prefer to add accounts to your list that way.
…and that’s it! You can add more accounts to lists by repeating these steps.
By the way, third party apps may have slightly different interfaces for lists, but it’s the same feature.
You can also add accounts to Lists (though you can’t create new Lists) on the official Mastodon Android app. Go to the profile of an account you want to add to your list, click ︙in the top right corner and then Add to list…
Can I view accounts on Lists without them appearing on my Home timeline?
Yes! You can hide posts by accounts on your lists Home timeline:
- Log in through your server’s website
- Go to the Lists section
- Click on the list you want to hide on Home
- Click on the slider icon in the top right corner
- Select Hide these posts from home
This means you can have lists that are entirely separate from your Home timeline.
Why do I have to follow accounts that I add to Lists?
The following requirement is for the sake of safety and privacy. On some social networks such as Twitter, List-style features have been misused by trolls and bullies to make lists of potential victims.
On Mastodon, the follow requirement gives people more control over being listed. If an account has follow requests activated, it lets them control whose Lists they may end up on, and if an account blocks someone that also prevents them being added to that person’s Lists.
Do boosts show up on Lists?
Yes, you see everything you would see from that account on your Home timeline.
Can I follow hashtags on Lists?
No, not at the moment. However, this is a very popular suggestion and if you’re comfortable using Github you can vote for this option by giving a thumbs up on the relevant issue ⧉.
How many Lists can I create?
As many as you want.
Can I share Lists with other people?
No, they’re just for your personal use.
What do all the options mean on the Lists feature?
Edit list – Lets you change the list’s name and add or remove accounts from the list
Delete list – Deletes the list
Hide these posts from home – With this option switched on, posts that appear on your lists will not appear in your Home timeline
Show replies to no one – You will not see any replies in your list, only new posts by the accounts on the list
Show replies to members of the list – You will only see replies by accounts on the list to other accounts on the list, and new posts by accounts on the list
Show replies to any followed user – You will see replies by accounts on the list to accounts that you follow, and new posts by accounts on the list
If I move my account to another server, can my Lists come with me?
Yes. Lists are now available to export and import as part of the account transfer process.