Short answer
To mute words on X, go to Settings and privacy, then Privacy and safety, then Mute and block, then Muted words, and add a word, phrase, hashtag or @username. Choose whether it applies to your home timeline, notifications or both, whether it applies to everyone or only people you don't follow, and how long it lasts.
Key takeaways
- Muting a word also mutes its hashtag.
- Muted words aren't case-sensitive.
- You can mute for 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days or until you remove it.
- Choosing "from people you don't follow" keeps your friends visible while silencing strangers.
- Muting doesn't stop the posts existing. It only hides them from you.
Where is the muted words setting?
Settings and privacy, then Privacy and safety, then Mute and block, then Muted words.
Tap the plus button (or "Add") and type a word, phrase, hashtag or @username. You can also get there from a notification or a post: the three-dot menu on many posts lets you mute the account directly.
What options do I get for each muted word?
Where it applies, who it applies to and how long it lasts.
| Option | Choices |
|---|---|
| Mute from | Home timeline, Notifications (pick one or both) |
| From | Anyone, or only people you don't follow |
| Duration | Forever, 24 hours, 7 days, 30 days |
For a spoiler or a news cycle you're tired of, pick a short duration. For slurs and a troll's catchphrases, choose forever.
What should I mute when a troll targets me?
The words and names they keep using, plus the hashtag they rally around.
- Nicknames or misspellings of your name used to mock you.
- The phrase a troll repeats in every reply.
- The hashtag a pile-on is organized under.
- The handles of accounts that keep tagging you, if you don't want to block them yet.
Choose "from people you don't follow" so friends who use the same words still get through.
What else can I filter in notifications?
X's notification filters can silence whole categories of accounts, not just words.
In notification settings you'll find a quality filter and muted notification options for people you don't follow, people who don't follow you, new accounts, accounts with a default profile photo and accounts that haven't confirmed an email or phone number. During a pile-on these do more than any word list, because brand-new throwaway accounts are the usual source.
When is muting not enough?
When the account keeps replying to you, follows you around or breaks the rules.
Muting hides things from you but doesn't stop the account from replying where your followers see it. At that point, limit replies, block, or report. The block, mute or report helper suggests the next step.
Questions people ask
Does the other person know I muted a word or an account?
No. Muting is private. Accounts aren't notified and can't see your muted words.
Do muted words work in search?
Muted words apply to your home timeline and notifications. Searches and profiles you open directly can still show the muted content.
Can I mute emojis?
Yes. An emoji can be added to your muted words list like any other word.
Is there a limit to how many words I can mute?
X doesn't publish a specific limit in its help pages. People keep lists of dozens of words without trouble.