1/22
What does it mean to have a private account on Spoutible?
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
2/22
I’ve done security setting explainers before.
I’ve asked people why they vet followers, why they limit replies, etc. I’ve pointed out that I don’t understand certain choices.
Here’s the link if you missed it.
I’ve asked people why they vet followers, why they limit replies, etc. I’ve pointed out that I don’t understand certain choices.
Here’s the link if you missed it.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
3/22
There has always been a caveat to my opinions about account settings, and that is “unless you’re on private”.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
4/22
Unless you specify otherwise, your account here is public. It exists on the internet and anyone, whether they have an account or not, can visit the URL for your profile and look at what you post.
That’s not unique to Spoutible. It’s the same with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
That’s not unique to Spoutible. It’s the same with Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
5/22
If social media is a neighbourhood, a private account is a house that keeps the doors and windows locked, the curtains drawn, and dinner is by invitation only.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
6/22
Some of your neighbours don’t lock their doors, some don’t even bother closing them, and some even have a sign on the lawn saying “come on in, food's in the fridge”.
Most people here have public accounts but maybe you’re more cautious.
Most people here have public accounts but maybe you’re more cautious.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
(Edited)
7/22
Who might be more cautious?
Someone who:
- Has experienced harassment or stalking.
- Doesn’t want someone specific seeing them.
- Has FA and thinks they might be about to FO.
- Doesn’t want their employer seeing their activity.
- Is a private person.
- Only wants to engage with certain people.
Someone who:
- Has experienced harassment or stalking.
- Doesn’t want someone specific seeing them.
- Has FA and thinks they might be about to FO.
- Doesn’t want their employer seeing their activity.
- Is a private person.
- Only wants to engage with certain people.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
(Edited)
8/22
All reasons are valid, but being on Private does change the way you experience Spoutible. And it brings up some interesting quirks.
12:31 PM - Feb 14, 2024
9/22
If you’ve just opened up an account here or you don’t use it very much, you might find being on Private isolating.
People can limit replies from private accounts they don’t follow so you might find you can’t comment on what you see.
People can limit replies from private accounts they don’t follow so you might find you can’t comment on what you see.
12:32 PM - Feb 14, 2024
(Edited)
10/22
People who don’t follow you will just see this on Explore.
Not the easiest way to make new friends.
Not the easiest way to make new friends.
12:33 PM - Feb 14, 2024
(Edited)
11/22
But if you don’t care about having followers or how much engagement you get, then no big deal.
This is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen.
This person is basically using this place as a journal for an audience of one. What are they talking about?
Nunya business.
This is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen.
This person is basically using this place as a journal for an audience of one. What are they talking about?
Nunya business.
12:35 PM - Feb 14, 2024
12/22
If you’ve been here awhile, and you’re happy with the amount of people that follow you and the amount that those people interact with your spouts, switching to Private won’t really change how you experience Spoutible.
But it might impact how other people experience your account.
But it might impact how other people experience your account.
12:36 PM - Feb 14, 2024
13/22
Whether you’re in the habit of talking with 5 people or 500, people will notice if you switch to private.
This is where you’ll run into “hey, where did so and so go” and “weird, I thought I was already following you”.
Your settings impact what other people see.
This is where you’ll run into “hey, where did so and so go” and “weird, I thought I was already following you”.
Your settings impact what other people see.
12:36 PM - Feb 14, 2024
14/22
You’ll get follow requests, people want inside your house. They heard it's nice in there.
You can accept or refuse those follow requests based on whatever criteria makes sense for you.
You’ll still be included in new account auto-follows.
You can accept or refuse those follow requests based on whatever criteria makes sense for you.
You’ll still be included in new account auto-follows.
12:36 PM - Feb 14, 2024
15/22
Now the quirks:
- You can prevent a private account that you don’t follow from replying to you, but you can’t prevent them from quote-spouting you. That seems like an omission in settings.
- You can prevent a private account that you don’t follow from replying to you, but you can’t prevent them from quote-spouting you. That seems like an omission in settings.
12:37 PM - Feb 14, 2024
16/22
The people that follow you gain a superpower. If a follower QSs you, your spout becomes visible to everyone 😲 Should it work that way? No.
It’s probably a bug. Because of that and depending how serious you are about keeping your spouts private, you might have to revaluate who follows you.
It’s probably a bug. Because of that and depending how serious you are about keeping your spouts private, you might have to revaluate who follows you.
12:38 PM - Feb 14, 2024
17/22
You can host a pod on private, and everyone can attend.
You can leave your DMs wide open. That’s a completely different setting.
You can leave your DMs wide open. That’s a completely different setting.
12:38 PM - Feb 14, 2024
18/22
Something to consider:
Lots of people have said they find it annoying when private accounts reply or quote them. One of those can be addressed in settings, the other cannot. You can see what someone said in your notifs, but you can’t interact with the reply or quote. Not even to just like it.
Lots of people have said they find it annoying when private accounts reply or quote them. One of those can be addressed in settings, the other cannot. You can see what someone said in your notifs, but you can’t interact with the reply or quote. Not even to just like it.
12:40 PM - Feb 14, 2024
19/22
Not wanting to annoy people, I tried my best not to comment or quote anyone who didn’t follow me.
When you click on the three dots on posts, the menu shows you if you follow someone, but not if they follow you, so I’d go to their profile to see if they followed me before commenting.
When you click on the three dots on posts, the menu shows you if you follow someone, but not if they follow you, so I’d go to their profile to see if they followed me before commenting.
12:41 PM - Feb 14, 2024
20/22
It did mean that I stopped saying hi to new people and answering questions, and I really missed that a lot.
I still did likes and echoes though. Those seemed fair
I still did likes and echoes though. Those seemed fair
12:42 PM - Feb 14, 2024
21/22
So to wrap up, it’s your account, do what you feel like.
Just understand what the settings mean, and how they might impact you.
If you want more followers, private probably isn’t the best option for you. If you have real world security concerns, it’s definitely a smart choice.
Just understand what the settings mean, and how they might impact you.
If you want more followers, private probably isn’t the best option for you. If you have real world security concerns, it’s definitely a smart choice.
12:42 PM - Feb 14, 2024
(Edited)
22/22
Post 16 edit note: the private account/quote spout bug has recently been fixed.
A private account’s spouts are no longer visible when they are quote spouted.
A private account’s spouts are no longer visible when they are quote spouted.
10:22 PM - Apr 02, 2024
I know, it was mostly for the general population- a cautionary heads up.
In response to dani.
03:01 PM - Feb 14, 2024
