The home of free speech online. Learn how to get started and make the most of your Gab experience.
What you'll learn
What Gab is and how it works
Key features available to all users
How to navigate the platform
Tips for getting the most out of Gab
What is Gab?
Gab is a free speech social network where you can post, share, and connect with millions of users who value open discourse. Unlike other social platforms, Gab does not engage in political censorship or algorithmic suppression of your content.
Founded in 2016, Gab has grown into a thriving community that includes a social network, marketplace, groups, messaging, news aggregation, and much more.
Key Platform Values
Free Speech: All legal, First Amendment-protected speech is welcome on Gab.
No Shadow Banning: Your posts reach your followers without algorithmic interference.
User-Funded: Gab is funded by its users, not corporate advertisers. You are not the product.
Family-Friendly: Explicit adult content is prohibited to maintain a clean environment.
Privacy-Respecting: We do not sell your data to third parties or track you across the web.
A tour of the Gab interface and how to find everything you need.
Desktop Layout
On desktop, Gab uses a three-column layout:
Left Sidebar: Your main navigation. Access Home, Explore, Notifications, Chats, Groups, Marketplace, News, and more.
Center Column: The main content area displaying your timeline, posts, group content, or whatever page you've navigated to.
Right Panels: Contextual information including trending topics, suggested users, headlines, and news.
Mobile Layout
On mobile devices, the layout adapts to a single-column view:
Bottom Navigation Bar: Quick access to Home, Notifications, Groups, Explore, and Chat.
Slide-Out Menu: Tap your avatar in the top-left to open the full navigation menu with all features.
Top Bar: Displays the current page title and provides access to settings and compose.
Key Navigation Items
Home: Your personalized timeline showing posts from people you follow.
Explore: Discover popular and trending content from across Gab.
Notifications: See likes, reposts, follows, mentions, and other activity.
Chats: Your direct messages and group conversations.
Groups: Browse, join, and participate in communities.
Marketplace: Buy and sell items within the Gab community.
News: Curated news content and RSS feeds.
Shortcuts: Pin your favorite pages for quick access.
Getting Started
Installing the Mobile App
Gab isn't available on the Apple App Store or Google Play, but you can still get it on your phone.
Why no app store? Gab has been banned from the Apple App Store and Google Play since 2017 for refusing to censor legal speech. Our Progressive Web App (PWA) works just as well as a native app.
iPhone & iPad (Safari)
Open Safari and navigate to gab.com.
Tap the Share button (square with an arrow) at the bottom of the screen.
Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen".
Tap "Add" in the top-right corner to confirm.
Gab will now appear on your home screen with its own icon, just like any other app. It runs in its own window with push notifications and full-screen mode.
Android (Chrome)
Open Chrome and navigate to gab.com.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Tap "Add to Home screen".
Tap "Add" to confirm.
The Gab app will be added to your home screen and app drawer. You'll receive notifications and it runs like a native application.
Tip: For the best experience, make sure you're using the latest version of Safari (iPhone) or Chrome (Android). The PWA works best with up-to-date browsers.
Core Features
Home Timeline
Your personalized feed of content from people you follow.
How It Works
The Home Timeline displays posts from accounts you follow in reverse chronological order (newest first). Unlike other social networks, Gab does not use opaque algorithms to decide what you see. Your timeline shows all posts from the people you follow.
Timeline Features
Chronological Order: Posts appear in the order they were published, newest first.
Reposts: When someone you follow reposts content, it appears in your timeline.
Inline Media: Photos, videos, and link previews display directly in the timeline.
Polls: Interactive polls appear inline and you can vote directly from the timeline.
Infinite Scroll: The timeline loads more posts as you scroll down.
For You Feed
In addition to the standard Home timeline, the For You feed provides algorithmically curated content based on your interests and activity. Access it from the tab at the top of your Home timeline.
Core Features
Explore Feed
Discover trending and popular content from across the Gab network.
What is the Explore Feed?
The Explore feed shows popular and trending content from all of Gab, not just people you follow. It's a great way to discover new accounts and topics that are generating engagement across the platform.
Content Types on Explore
Top Posts: The most engaged-with posts from across Gab.
Trending Hashtags: See what topics are currently popular.
Suggested Accounts: Discover new people to follow based on popularity and activity.
You can access the Explore feed from the left sidebar on desktop or the bottom navigation bar on mobile.
Core Features
Creating Posts
Share your thoughts, media, polls, and more with the Gab community.
Composing a Post
Click the Compose button (pencil icon or "What's on your mind?") to open the post composer. You can create various types of content:
Text Posts
Write up to 3,000 characters per post (GabPRO subscribers get extended limits). Format your text with basic Markdown-style formatting. Use @username to mention other users and #hashtag to tag topics.
Media Attachments
Photos: Attach up to 4 images per post. Supported formats include JPG, PNG, GIF, and WebP.
Videos: Upload video content directly to your post.
GIFs: Use the built-in GIF picker to search and attach animated GIFs.
Polls
Create interactive polls to engage your audience:
Click the poll icon in the compose toolbar.
Enter your poll question and 2-4 answer options.
Set the poll duration (how long voting remains open).
Publish your post. Followers can vote and see live results.
Content Warnings / Spoilers
Use the CW (Content Warning) button to add a spoiler or content warning to your post. The post content will be hidden behind a warning that readers must click to reveal.
Post Visibility
Public: Visible to everyone, appears on public timelines.
Unlisted: Visible to everyone but doesn't appear on public timelines.
Private: Only visible to your followers.
Scheduled Posts
Write a post now and schedule it to be published at a later date and time. Access your scheduled posts from Settings > Scheduled Posts.
Core Features
Reactions, Reposts & Quotes
Engage with content through likes, reactions, reposts, quotes, and comments.
Likes & Reactions
Show your appreciation for a post by clicking the like (heart) button. You can also use extended reactions to express different emotions beyond a simple like.
Reposts
Share someone else's post with your followers by clicking the repost (circular arrows) button. The original post will appear in your followers' timelines with attribution to the original author.
Quote Posts
Add your own commentary to someone else's post by using Quote. This creates a new post that embeds the original post with your added text above it.
Comments
Reply to any post to start or join a conversation. Comments are threaded, so you can reply to specific comments within a thread. Click on any post to see the full comment thread.
Core Features
Bookmarks & Collections
Save posts for later and organize them into collections.
Bookmarking Posts
Click the bookmark icon on any post to save it for later. Bookmarks are private and only visible to you. Access your bookmarks from the navigation menu.
Bookmark Collections
Organize your bookmarks into collections for easy retrieval:
Navigate to your Bookmarks page.
Click "Create Collection" and give it a name.
When bookmarking a post, select which collection to save it to.
Browse your collections to find saved content organized by topic.
Core Features
Search
Find people, posts, hashtags, groups, and more.
How to Search
Use the search bar at the top of the page to search across Gab. You can search for:
People: Find users by their display name or @username.
Posts: Search for specific content or keywords.
Hashtags: Discover posts tagged with specific hashtags.
Groups: Find groups by name or topic.
Feeds: Discover curated feeds.
Tip: You can search for an exact phrase by wrapping your search query in quotes, e.g., "free speech platform".
Social
Following & Followers
Build your network by following accounts and gaining followers.
Following Accounts
Click the Follow button on any user's profile to follow them. Their posts will then appear in your Home timeline. You can unfollow at any time by clicking the button again.
Your Followers
When someone follows you, your public posts will appear in their Home timeline. You can see your follower count and list on your profile page.
Follow Requests
If you set your account to private, new followers must send a follow request that you can approve or deny. Manage pending requests from Settings > Follow Requests.
Top Friends
Gab lets you designate Top Friends — your favorite accounts that you interact with most. These appear in a special section on your profile and help others discover who you recommend following.
Social
Notifications
Stay updated on likes, follows, mentions, and more.
Notification Types
Likes: Someone liked your post.
Reposts: Someone reposted your content.
Mentions: Someone mentioned you with @yourusername.
Follows: A new user followed your account.
Poll Results: A poll you voted in has ended.
Comments: Someone replied to your post or comment.
Filtering Notifications
Use the notification filter panel to show only specific types of notifications (e.g., only mentions, only follows). This helps you focus on the interactions that matter most to you.
Notification Settings
Customize your notification preferences from Settings > Notifications. Control which types of notifications you receive by email and which appear in your notification feed.
Social
Blocking & Muting
Control your experience by blocking or muting accounts.
Blocking
When you block a user:
They cannot see your posts or profile.
Their posts are hidden from your timelines.
They cannot follow you or send you messages.
They cannot interact with your posts (like, repost, comment).
To block a user, click the three-dot menu on their profile or post and select "Block". Manage your blocked accounts from Settings > Blocks.
Muting
When you mute a user:
Their posts are hidden from your timelines.
They can still see and interact with your posts.
They will not know they are muted.
Muting is a more subtle way to control your feed without the other person being aware. Manage muted accounts from Settings > Mutes.
Social
Reporting Content
Report posts or accounts that violate Gab's Terms of Service.
How to Report
Click the three-dot menu on the post or profile you want to report.
Select "Report" from the menu.
Choose the reason for your report (e.g., spam, illegal content, etc.).
Add any additional comments to help moderators understand the issue.
Submit the report. Our moderation team will review it.
Note: Gab supports free speech, so disagreeing with someone's opinion is not grounds for a report. Reports should only be filed for content that violates the Terms of Service, such as illegal content, spam, or threats of violence.
Groups
Discovering & Joining Groups
Find communities that match your interests.
Browsing Groups
Navigate to the Groups section from the sidebar to explore available groups. You can browse by:
Featured Groups: Highlighted by the Gab team.
Member Groups: Community-created groups.
Categories: Browse groups organized by topic (Politics, Faith, Sports, Technology, etc.).
Joining a Group
Click the Join button on any group to become a member. Some groups may require approval from a moderator before you can join. Once you're a member, the group's posts will appear in the group's timeline and you can participate in discussions.
Group Feeds
Each group has its own timeline with posts from members. You can also browse a group's media, links, and about page for more information about the community.
Groups
Creating & Managing a Group
Start your own community on Gab.
Creating a Group
Navigate to Groups and click "Create Group".
Enter a group name and description.
Upload a cover image and avatar for the group.
Choose the group category and tags.
Set privacy settings (public or private).
Click Create and start inviting members.
Managing Members
As a group admin, you can:
Approve or deny join requests (for private groups).
Remove members from the group.
Promote members to moderator or admin roles.
View the list of all group members.
Groups
Group Moderation
Keep your group's community healthy and on-topic.
Moderation Tools
Group admins and moderators have access to the following tools:
Remove Posts: Delete posts that violate group rules.
Remove Members: Remove and ban members who repeatedly break rules.
Moderation Queue: Review reported posts within the group.
Group Settings: Update the group name, description, rules, and privacy settings.
Tip: Write clear group rules and pin them to the top of the group. This helps set expectations for members and makes moderation decisions more transparent.
Feeds
Custom Feeds
Create curated timelines with specific accounts.
What are Feeds?
Feeds (also called Lists) are custom timelines that only show posts from accounts you've added. They're a great way to organize the content you want to see by topic, interest, or priority.
Creating a Feed
Navigate to Feeds from the sidebar menu.
Click "Create Feed".
Give your feed a name (e.g., "News Sources," "Tech Accounts").
Set the feed's visibility (public feeds can be followed by others).
Add members to your feed by searching for accounts.
Subscribing to Feeds
Browse the Feed Directory to find public feeds created by other users. Subscribe to any feed to add it to your navigation for easy access.
Feeds
Feed Directory
Discover curated feeds created by the community.
Browsing the Directory
The Feed Directory lists all public feeds available on Gab. Each feed shows its name, creator, number of subscribers, and the accounts included. Browse the directory to find feeds that match your interests.
Managing Your Feeds
From the Feeds section, you can:
View all feeds you've created or subscribed to.
Edit feed members and settings.
Unsubscribe from feeds you no longer want.
Share feeds with other users.
Messaging
Direct Messages
Private conversations with other Gab users.
Sending a Message
Navigate to Chats from the sidebar or bottom navigation.
Click "New Message" to start a conversation.
Search for and select the user(s) you want to message.
Type your message and press Send.
Conversation Features
Group Chats: Create conversations with multiple people.
Media Sharing: Send photos and other media in conversations.
Read Receipts: See when your messages have been read.
Chat Media: View all shared media within a conversation.
Messaging
Chat Requests & Settings
Manage who can message you and control your chat experience.
Chat Requests
Messages from people you don't follow go to your Chat Requests inbox. You can choose to accept or decline these requests. Accepted requests become regular conversations.
Blocking in Chat
Block specific users from sending you messages. Blocked chat users are separate from your main block list and can be managed from your chat settings.
Muted Conversations
Mute specific conversations to stop receiving notifications for them without leaving the conversation. You can unmute at any time.
Marketplace
Browsing the Marketplace
Discover products and services from the Gab community.
Exploring Listings
Access the Marketplace from the sidebar to browse listings from Gab users and businesses. You can filter listings by:
Category: Electronics, Clothing, Services, and more.
Price Range: Filter by minimum and maximum price.
Location: Find local listings near you.
Condition: New, Used, Refurbished, etc.
Saving Listings
Save interesting listings to review later by clicking the bookmark icon. Access your saved listings from your Marketplace dashboard.
Marketplace
Creating & Managing Listings
Sell products and services on the Gab Marketplace.
Creating a Listing
Navigate to the Marketplace and click "Create Listing".
Enter a title and detailed description.
Set the price and condition.
Upload photos of your item (multiple images recommended).
Select a category and add relevant tags.
Publish your listing. It will be visible to all Gab users.
Managing Listings
From your Marketplace Dashboard, you can:
View and respond to buyer inquiries.
Edit listing details, price, and photos.
Mark listings as sold or remove them.
Track views and saves on your listings.
Business Pages
Creating a Business Page
Establish your business presence on Gab.
Getting Started
Business Pages let you create a dedicated presence for your business on Gab, separate from your personal account. Businesses can list products, share updates, and connect with customers.
Navigate to Businesses from the sidebar.
Click "Create Business Page".
Enter your business name, description, and category.
Add your business hours, location, and contact information.
Upload a logo and gallery images.
Submit your page for approval.
Tip: Fill out as much information as possible when creating your business page. Complete profiles appear more professional and trustworthy to potential customers.
Business Pages
Business Dashboard
Manage your business page, listings, and coupons.
Dashboard Features
Edit Business Info: Update your business name, hours, location, and description.
Gallery Management: Add and remove gallery photos showcasing your business.
Marketplace Listings: Create and manage product listings tied to your business.
Coupons: Create special coupons and promotions for your business.
Analytics: View page visits and engagement metrics.
Media
Gab TV & Videos
Watch and share video content on Gab.
Browsing Videos
Access Gab TV from the Explore menu to browse video content posted by Gab users. Videos are displayed in a dedicated feed optimized for video content with large previews and easy playback controls.
Uploading Videos
Upload videos directly when composing a new post. Videos are processed and optimized for streaming automatically. GabPRO subscribers enjoy higher upload limits and priority processing.
Video Player
The built-in video player supports:
Inline playback in the timeline.
Full-screen viewing mode.
Volume controls and playback speed adjustment.
Picture-in-picture mode on supported browsers.
Media
Clips
Short-form video content on Gab.
What are Clips?
Clips are short video posts featured in a dedicated timeline. They're designed for quick, engaging content that captures attention. Browse the Clips feed from the Explore menu to discover trending short videos.
Media
Photos & Galleries
Share and browse photos across Gab.
Photo Timeline
Browse a dedicated feed of photo content from the Photos section in Explore. See beautiful photography, memes, infographics, and more shared by the Gab community.
Profile Galleries
Every profile has a Photos and Videos tab that displays all media posted by that account. This makes it easy to browse a user's visual content.
Media Viewer
Click on any image to open it in the full-screen media viewer. Navigate between images in a post using arrow keys or swipe gestures on mobile. You can also download images from the viewer.
Gab Deck
Multi-Column Layout
Power-user interface for monitoring multiple feeds simultaneously.
What is Gab Deck?
Gab Deck provides a multi-column layout (similar to TweetDeck) that lets you monitor multiple timelines, notifications, and feeds side by side. It's perfect for power users who want to keep an eye on everything at once.
Setting Up Deck
Access Gab Deck from the sidebar "More" menu.
Click "Add Column" to add a new column.
Choose from available column types: Home, Notifications, Explore, Hashtag, Group, Feed, etc.
Arrange columns by dragging them to your preferred order.
Each column scrolls independently, so you can browse multiple feeds at once.
Tip: Gab Deck works best on wide screens. Use a desktop or tablet in landscape mode for the best experience.
GabPRO
Pro Features & Benefits
Upgrade to GabPRO for premium features and support the platform.
What is GabPRO?
GabPRO is Gab's premium subscription that unlocks additional features while directly supporting the platform's mission of free speech. Since Gab is user-funded, PRO subscriptions are a key way to keep the platform running.
PRO Benefits
Verified Badge: Get a verification badge on your profile.
Extended Post Length: Write longer posts beyond the standard character limit.
Schedule Posts: Plan and schedule posts for future publication.
Pro Timeline: Access the exclusive Pro-only timeline.
Advanced Analytics: See more detailed stats on your posts.
Priority Support: Get faster responses from the support team.
No Ads: Browse Gab without advertisements.
Higher Upload Limits: Upload larger media files.
How to Subscribe
Visit pro.gab.com to subscribe to GabPRO. Subscriptions are available on monthly and annual plans.
GabPRO
Pro Timeline
An exclusive timeline for GabPRO subscribers.
About the Pro Timeline
The Pro Timeline is a special feed that only shows posts from other GabPRO subscribers. It provides a curated, premium experience with content from users who are invested in the platform.
Accessing the Pro Timeline
If you have an active GabPRO subscription, the Pro Timeline is accessible from the sidebar navigation. The timeline works just like the Home or Explore timelines but exclusively features content from PRO members.
Gab offers multiple display themes including light, dark, and other color options. Access Display Options from the account menu or sidebar to switch themes.
Font Size
Adjust the text size across the interface to your preference. Choose from several size options to find the most comfortable reading experience.
Layout Options
Customize which elements are visible in your interface, including panel visibility and timeline layout preferences.
Install an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) on your phone.
Scan the QR code or enter the setup key into your authenticator app.
Enter the 6-digit code generated by the app to verify.
Save your backup codes in a safe place. These can be used if you lose access to your authenticator app.
Private Account
Set your account to private to require approval for new followers. When your account is private, only approved followers can see your posts. Toggle this from Settings > Preferences.
Session Management
Review and revoke active sessions from your account settings to ensure no unauthorized devices have access to your account.
Settings & Account
Filters
Automatically hide content containing specific words or phrases.
Choose where to apply the filter (Home timeline, Notifications, Public timelines, etc.).
Optionally set an expiration date for the filter.
Filtered content will be hidden from the selected timelines. You can edit or remove filters at any time.
Settings & Account
Data Export
Download a copy of your Gab data.
Exporting Your Data
Gab allows you to export your data at any time. Navigate to Settings > Export to download:
Your list of followed accounts.
Your block list.
Your mute list.
Data exports are provided in CSV format that can be opened in any spreadsheet application or imported into other services.
FAQs
Common Questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about Gab.
Is Gab really free?
Yes! Gab is completely free to join and use. You can create an account, post, follow people, join groups, use the marketplace, and access all core features at no cost. GabPRO is an optional premium upgrade for users who want extra features and to support the platform.
Why isn't Gab on the App Store or Google Play?
Gab was banned from both the Apple App Store and Google Play in 2017 for refusing to censor legal speech that those companies demanded we remove. Instead, Gab is available as a Progressive Web App (PWA) that you can install directly from your browser. See our Mobile App Installation guide for instructions.
What content is not allowed on Gab?
Gab supports free speech but does have rules. Content that is illegal under US law, explicit adult content, spam, and targeted threats of violence are prohibited. See the full Terms of Service for complete details.
How do I get verified on Gab?
Verification on Gab is available through GabPRO subscriptions. Subscribe at pro.gab.com to get a verified badge on your profile. You can also apply for identity verification through Settings > Verification.
Can I use Gab anonymously?
Yes. You do not need to use your real name on Gab. You can choose any username and display name you like. An email address is required for account recovery, but your email is never displayed publicly.
How does Gab make money?
Gab is funded by its users through GabPRO subscriptions, the Gab Shop, advertising, and donations. Gab does not sell user data to third parties. This user-funded model ensures that Gab's interests are aligned with its community, not advertisers.
How do I delete my account?
You can delete your account from Settings > Account. Scroll to the bottom and click "Delete Account." This action is permanent and cannot be undone. All your posts, followers, and data will be removed.
FAQs
Technical Limits
Understanding Gab's platform limits and restrictions.
Post Limits
Character Limit: Standard posts support up to 3,000 characters. GabPRO subscribers may have extended limits.
Media per Post: Up to 4 images or 1 video per post.
Poll Options: 2 to 4 options per poll.
Account Limits
Username Length: Usernames must be between 1 and 30 characters.
Bio Length: Up to 500 characters.
Display Name: Up to 30 characters.
Profile Metadata: Up to 4 custom fields.
Rate Limits
To prevent spam and abuse, Gab enforces rate limits on certain actions. If you encounter a rate limit, wait a few minutes before trying again. Rate limits apply to:
Posting new content.
Following/unfollowing accounts.
Sending direct messages.
API requests (for developers).
Upload Limits
Image Size: Maximum file size per image upload.
Video Size: Maximum file size per video upload (higher for GabPRO).
Avatar: Recommended 400x400 pixels minimum.
Header: Recommended 1500x500 pixels minimum.
Tip: If you need higher upload limits, consider upgrading to GabPRO for increased file size allowances and additional features.
Enter the email address associated with your account.
Check your email for a password reset link.
Click the link and create a new password.
Email Not Verified
If you haven't received your verification email:
Check your spam or junk mail folder.
Make sure you entered the correct email address during sign-up.
Request a new verification email from the login page.
Account Suspended
If your account has been suspended, you will receive an email explaining the reason and any actions you can take. Common reasons for suspension include:
If your account appears locked, it may be due to suspicious activity detection. Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your identity and unlock your account. If you continue having issues, contact support.
Need more help? If you can't resolve your issue with the information above, you can reach out to the Gab team through the feedback channels available in the app settings.