Mastodon is preparing changes to allow searches of public posts, and a decision has been made to make the condition for allowing it a "discoverble" for accounts.
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/pull/26344
I have an opinion on this but discussion is not allowed.
If users want to keep their searches restricted as before, the server administrator should recommend that users turn off the "discoverble" setting.
Doing so will result in more users disappearing from directory and account searches.
@noellabo are you aware of the "Unlisted" post privacy setting - "visible for all, but opted-out of discovery features"? Would posting as "Unlisted" when you don't want the post to be searchable resolve your concern?
@scott The important point is that Mastodon is changing the rules it has always followed. Unlisted" is not a solution to a past post.
I have already made a number of suggestions in my own fork, which you can look into if you are interested.
@noellabo that still requires instance to have Elastic search running. Which vast majority of instances don't.
Post searches are for the past; account searches are for the present. Having one setting for different purposes will force us to make more conservative choices, which will defeat the purpose.
This should not be sacrificed in the pursuit of simplicity.
#mastodon #mastodev