If you write a post set to "Followers Only" it will only go to the home timelines of those who follow you. And is not visible to anyone who doesnt follow you nor anyone who doesnt have an account.

Simple enough to begin with right?

If a 2nd person, someone who follows you, replies to your post (it will automatically be set as "Followers only" too unless they change it), it will only get pushed into the timelines of people who follow both of you, just like normal replies do.

Still straightforward.

But the wrinkle is, the 2nd person's followers who *dont* follow you, while it wont appear in their timelines, they can still see the reply if they go on to the person's "Posts and Replies" page on their profile (I think this is the case, if not someone please correct me).

Not something someone is likely to do regularly so generally doesnt come up much.

The larger wrinkle comes however, if a 3rd person who also follows you, replies to the 2nd person's reply. At that point, that reply will get pushed into the timelines of anyone who follows the 2nd and 3rd person, because now their reply is a "Followers Only" reply to the 2nd person.

Which means anyone who follows Person 2 and 3 but who doesnt follow you, is often going to be able to see part of the conversation you're having and figure out what you originally posted.

And the more and more followers who join in that reply chain the more people who dont follow you will start to see parts of the conversation.

"Followers Only" doesnt keep conversations private to only your followers. Only your own posts.

#FediTips