Schedule content to Mastodon including text posts, images, videos, and carousels. This guide covers the complete posting workflow, content warnings, sensitive content flags, threading, and all Mastodon-specific features available in Viraly.
Creating a Mastodon Post
Follow these steps to create and schedule a Mastodon post in Viraly:
Step 1: Open the Post Composer
Open the post composer using any of these methods:
- Click Create Post in the sidebar
- Click the + button in the calendar header
- Click on any date in the calendar view
Step 2: Select Mastodon
Click the Mastodon icon at the top of the composer. Selected platforms appear in full color with a colored border, while unselected platforms are grayscale. You can select multiple platforms to cross-post your content.
Step 3: Write Your Post
Enter your message in the text area. Mastodon allows up to 500 characters per post. The character counter in the top-right corner shows how many characters remain.
Step 4: Add Media (Optional)
Enhance your post with media. You have several options:
- Drag and drop files onto the upload area
- Click to select files from your device
- Select from Library to use previously uploaded media
Supported media types:
- Single Image: One photo (max 16MB)
- Single Video: One video (max 99MB)
- Carousel: 2-4 images (photos only, no videos)
Click the Media Requirements button to view detailed specifications for Mastodon.
Step 5: Configure Content Settings (Optional)
Mastodon has unique content control features:
- Spoiler Text: Add a content warning that hides your post until clicked
- Sensitive Content: Mark media as sensitive (NSFW) to blur it by default
See Content Warnings below for details.
Step 6: Add Thread Posts (Optional)
For longer content, click Add Reply to create a thread. Each post in the thread can have its own text and media. See Creating Threads below for details.
Step 7: Schedule Your Post
Click Schedule Post to set a date and time, or click the dropdown arrow for other options.
Post Types
Viraly automatically detects your post type based on what you attach:
Text Posts
Text-only posts with optional link preview.
- Character Limit: 500 characters
- Hashtags and mentions supported
- Link previews appear automatically for URLs
Image Posts
Single photo with caption.
- File Size: Max 16MB
- Formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP
Video Posts
Single video with caption.
- File Size: Max 99MB
- Formats: MP4, MOV
Carousel Posts
Multi-image posts that viewers can browse.
- Image Count: 2-4 images
- File Size: Max 16MB per image
- Photos only: Videos cannot be included in carousels
Caption Features
| Feature | Limit |
|---|---|
| Text Length | 500 characters |
| Mentions | @username@server supported |
| Hashtags | Supported for discoverability |
| Links | Clickable URLs with preview |
Caption Tools
The caption area includes several helpful tools:
- AI Generator: Click the sparkle icon to generate captions using AI. You can write new captions, shorten, expand, or rephrase existing text.
- Hashtag Lists: Click the hashtag (#) icon to insert saved hashtag groups from your library.
- Emoji Picker: Click the smiley face icon to insert emojis at the cursor position.
- Character Counter: Shows remaining characters out of 500.
Media Requirements
Images
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Size | Max 16MB per image |
| Formats | JPEG, PNG, WebP |
| Carousel Count | 2-4 images |
Recommended Crop Sizes
| Aspect Ratio | Dimensions | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1:1 (Square) | 1080 x 1080px | Posts |
| 4:5 (Portrait) | 1080 x 1350px | Posts |
| 16:9 (Landscape) | 1200 x 675px | Posts |
Use the image editor to crop your images for Mastodon.
Videos
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| File Size | Max 99MB |
| Formats | MP4, MOV |
Use the video editor to crop and optimize your videos for Mastodon.
Content Warnings
Mastodon has robust content warning features that are part of the platform’s culture. Viraly fully supports these features:
Spoiler Text (Content Warning)
Add a content warning that displays before your post content. Readers must click to reveal the full post.
Common uses for spoiler text:
- Spoilers for movies, TV shows, books, or games
- Potentially triggering or sensitive topics
- Long posts that might flood timelines
- Political or controversial content
- Content that may not be suitable for all audiences
To add spoiler text, enter your warning in the Spoiler Text field above the main caption area.
Sensitive Content Flag
Mark your media as sensitive (NSFW). When enabled:
- Images and videos are blurred by default
- Viewers must click to reveal the media
- Respects user preferences for sensitive content
Toggle the Sensitive Content switch to enable this feature.
Using Both Features
Spoiler text and sensitive content flags work independently—you can use either or both:
- Use spoiler text alone for text-based warnings
- Use sensitive flag alone to blur media without hiding text
- Use both together for maximum content protection
Creating Threads
For longer content, create threaded posts—multiple connected posts that appear as a conversation:
- Create your first post as normal
- Click Add Reply to add another post to the thread
- Each reply can have its own text (500 chars) and media
- Click on any post in the thread to edit it
- Schedule the entire thread to publish together
Thread Features
- Each post has its own 500 character limit
- Each post can have different media attachments
- Each post can have its own spoiler text and sensitive flag
- Each post can have its own link preview
- Click the trash icon to delete a post from the thread
- All posts in the thread publish together
Note: Creating threaded posts requires an Influencer plan or higher.
Link Previews
When you include a URL in your post, Mastodon automatically generates a link preview showing:
- Page title
- Description
- Preview image (if available)
Link Preview Behavior
- Preview is automatically fetched when you add a URL
- If you remove the URL from your caption, the preview disappears
- You cannot have both media attachments and a link preview in the same post
- Each post in a thread can have its own independent link preview
- URLs are automatically converted to HTTPS format
Additional Features
Categories
Organize your posts with categories for easier management. Click the + Category button to assign one or more categories to your post.
Recycle Posts
Automatically repost content at regular intervals. Toggle Recycle to enable, then configure:
- First post scheduled for: When the initial post publishes
- Recycle interval: How often to repost (e.g., 60 days / 2 months)
- End date: When recycling should stop
- Content Variations: Rotate different captions to avoid duplicate content detection
Shorten URLs
Toggle Shorten URLs to automatically shorten links in your post using Viraly’s URL shortener. Shortened links provide click tracking and analytics.
Scheduling Options
After creating your post, choose how to publish it:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Schedule Post | Set a specific date and time for publishing |
| Publish Now | Post immediately |
| Save as Draft | Save without scheduling |
| Add to Queue | Add to your posting queue |
| Request Approval | Send to team members for review |
The date/time picker uses your social set’s timezone setting. All scheduled posts appear in your calendar where you can edit, reschedule, or delete them.