On Mastodon, you can use a follow request system to restrict who can follow you. When it’s switched on, no one can follow you unless you manually approve their request. This can be used to screen who follows you.
To switch on the follow requests system:
- Log in through your server’s website or through the Mastodon web app
- Click on your profile image to go to your profile page
- Click on Edit profile
- Click on the Privacy and reach tab
- UN-tick the box marked Automatically accept new followers
- Click the Save changes button at the bottom of the page
After you’ve done this, a padlock icon 🔒 will appear next to your username on your profile. Anyone who clicks follow will send a follow request that you have to approve before the follow is activated.
If you change your mind about using follow requests, do the same thing again but tick the box instead of unticking it.
Don’t reject followers just because they don’t have a picture
Don’t screen followers out just because they have blank profile pictures. Many blind users don’t use profile pictures, but they will have text in their profile. The best way to screen potential followers is to read what they have written about themselves and what they have posted.
How do I stop non-followers seeing my posts?
You can set your posts to the Followers-only visibility setting, either manually or by default. When this is combined with the follow requests system, it means only people you choose can see your posts.