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First a quick guide:

Ask yourself: does my QP add value? Is it kind?

If not, consider a) commenting on or boosting the post instead, or b) not doing anything.

Let's explore specific examples:

How to use Quote Posts.

DO:
1. Share with a hashtag.

If the original post missed one and you think that hashtag’s followers would like to see the post. (Alternatively, suggest to the author that they edit their post to include the hashtag)

2. Use a post as a jumping off point for a new conversation.

Especially if you think it might be spammy or off-topic if you comment it on the original post.

How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

DO:
3. Add info or context to a post when the poster is not a person.

For example, quote-posting news articles posted by news outlets or bots.

How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

DO NOT use a quote post to:
1. Reply to the author of the quoted post.

This is rude. You’re bringing their conversation into your house. You’re probably doing it because you disagree.

2. Add information to a post.

You don't need to make yourself the centre of a conversation. Instead, boost the post and add your reply. If your addition is really that brilliant then see "DO: 2. Use a post as a jumping off point for a new conversation."

How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

DO NOT:
3. Add a low-value comment.

Just boost the post instead. Of course, if you are so bursting with enthusiasm for a post that you want to announce your love for it to your followers then do so, but this should be the exception not the rule.

4. Spread negativity unnecessarily.

Are you sharing something people need to know about or are you just venting outrage? Negative events do happen and need talking about, but not all negative things need sharing.

How to use Quote Posts (cont.)

ABSOLUTELY DO NOT

This behaviour should earn you a block & report anyway, but absolutely do not use quote posts to:

1. Dunk on the author.
2. Prompt your followers to dunk on the author.
3. Prompt followers of a hashtag you add to dunk on the author.

I hope this thread is useful and something people can link to when they see someone abusing quote posts.

I welcome additions to and discussion of this list - please fire away!

My main concern around QPs is not blatant abuse/harassment. We have ways to deal with that here.

My concern is more negativity and lower quality posts. It's a slow degradation towards outrage and confrontational discourse.

I think my 2022 comment on the QP request on Github still stands up: https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues/20673#issuecomment-1329461693

@Brendanjones would your second concern be mitigated with a 'block this person from QPing this post' function?

Then they're forced to use screen-grabs for their dunks, same as now - and the OPer keeps a certain level of control.

@nicol mitigated, yes. And the Mastodon team are planning on implementing QP controls so whoever doesn't want their posts QP'd will have that option. Same thing with reply controls, it mitigates but doesn't prevent trouble.

But many will allow QPs on their posts, so this is why we need usage standards.

@Brendanjones the thing I most miss about QPs is quoting from an article that someone else has linked to with just a heading - a kind of tldr / pull quote.

Hopefully usage norms nudge best practice / alienate the hot-take dunkers..

@nicol @Brendanjones
I came here by looking for 'how to quote toot'

I want to be able to share indeed, articles people post with why I think it's relevant for people that follow my profile.

@hackbyte then why are you interacting with 'mastodontists' ...

@Brendanjones Because mastodontists alwas ever again try to frame this network as _theirs_.

And i won't shut up callin that BS. ;)