How to Quote on Twitter

Quoting a tweet, now officially called 'quoting a post,' is one of the most powerful and underutilized features on X (formerly Twitter). It’s your opportunity to not just share someone else’s content, but to add your voice, spark a new discussion, and build a community around your perspective. This guide will walk you through exactly how to quote on Twitter, and more importantly, how to do it strategically to grow your engagement and authority.

What is a Quote Tweet and Why is it So Powerful?

On the surface, a quote tweet is simple: it embeds another user's tweet within your own, allowing you to add your commentary above it. Unlike a simple retweet, which just shares the original content to your timeline, or a reply, which is only visible within a conversation thread, a quote tweet does three things at once:

• It shares the original post with your audience.
• It appears on your main timeline as a new, original post.
• It gives you the full character count to add your own context, opinion, or takeaway.

This hybrid function makes it an incredible tool for conversation and content creation. You’re not just an amplifier, you’re a curator and a commentator. It lets you leverage existing conversations to start new ones, positioning you as an active, thoughtful voice in your niche rather than a passive broadcaster.

How to Quote on Twitter (X): A Step-by-Step Guide

The technical process of quoting a post is straightforward, whether you're on a desktop browser or the mobile app. Let’s break it down.

Quoting a Tweet on Desktop (X.com)

1. Find the tweet (post) you want to share with your commentary.
2. Below the post, you’ll see a row of icons. Click on the Retweet icon (the two arrows forming a square).
3. A pop-up menu will give you two options: "Retweet" or "Quote." Select Quote.
4. A new window will appear with the original tweet embedded at the bottom. The text box at the top is where you write your own comment. You can add text, images, a GIF, or a poll.
5. Once you've crafted your comment, click the blue Post button to publish it.

Quoting a Tweet on the Mobile App (iOS & Android)

1. Open the X app and navigate to the tweet you want to quote.
2. Tap the Retweet icon located directly beneath the tweet's content.
3. From the menu that appears at the bottom of your screen, tap Quote.
4. You'll be taken to the post composition screen. The original tweet will be shown as an embed, and you can type your own comment in the "Add a comment..." box above it.
5. Add your text, mention other users, or include media. When you're ready, tap the Post button in the top-right corner.

That's all it takes! Your followers will now see your comment along with the original tweet neatly packaged together in their timelines.

5 Actionable Strategies for Crafting the Perfect Quote Tweet

Knowing how to quote a tweet is easy. Knowing what to say is what separates amateur users from a professional social media presence. Simply saying "This is great" or "I agree" adds little value. Instead, use these strategies to make your quote tweets engaging and a memorable part of your content strategy.

1. Add Your Unique Perspective or Opinion

This is the number one rule of quoting. The purpose is to add your voice to the conversation. Don't just echo what the original post says. Use your expertise to expand on the topic, offer a counter-argument, or connect it to a larger trend.

• Expert Analysis: If a news outlet tweets a statistic about your industry, quote it and explain what that statistic really means for your audience. Provide the "so what?" factor. Example: Quote a post about a new AI feature and add, "This is interesting, but the real power for small businesses won't be seen until it integrates with existing CRM workflows. Here's why..."
• Disagree Respectfully: See a take you don't agree with? Quoting it with a well-reasoned counterpoint can spark an excellent debate and show you're a critical thinker. The key is to keep it professional and focus on the idea, not the person.
• Personal Connection: If someone shares an experience, quote it and share a similar story of your own. This builds rapport and demonstrates empathy.

2. Ask an Engaging Question

Turn a statement into a conversation starter. Quoting a post and posing a question to your audience is a fantastic way to invite engagement. It shows that you value your followers' opinions and makes your timeline a more interactive space.

• Broad Questions: Use general prompts like "What does everyone think about this?" or "Is this a game-changer or just hype?" These are great for topics with widespread interest.
• Specific Questions: Target your niche audience with a more specific question. Example: Quote a developer's post about a new JavaScript framework and ask, "For those who've tried this, how does the state management compare to React's? Curious about real-world performance."

3. Summarize a Key Takeaway from a Thread or Article

Everyone is short on time. Be the person who provides value by saving them a click. If you see a long, insightful thread or an article linked in a tweet, quote the original post and summarize the most important punchline for your audience.

• The TL,DR Hero: Quote the first tweet of a 20-part thread and write, "Amazing thread on influencer marketing. The biggest takeaway for me was point #12: focus on micro-influencers for long-term trust, not macro for short-term reach." This gives your audience instant value and positions you as a helpful curator.
• Highlight an Underrated Point: Sometimes the most important part of an article isn't in the headline. Quote the tweet with the link and pull out a powerful statistic or quote from deep within the text that others might have missed.

4. Highlight Social Proof and Positive Mentions

Someone saying great things about your brand, product, or content? That’s free marketing gold! Quoting these tweets is a non-salesy way to share testimonials and build credibility. It’s way more powerful coming from a genuine customer than from your own marketing copy.

• Customer Testimonials: If a customer tweets about their positive experience with your service, quote it and add a simple, "So glad we could help, Sarah! It was a pleasure working with your team." It shows appreciation and amplifies the positive feedback.
• Press and Partner Mentions: If an industry publication features your company or a partner gives you a shout-out, quote their tweet to share the news with your audience. It adds a layer of third-party validation to your brand.

5. Add Relevant Hashtags and Mentions

A quote tweet is an original post, which means it can be discovered independently of the original tweet you’re quoting. Use this to your advantage by adding relevant hashtags and tagging other accounts to expand your reach.

• Join a Trending Conversation: If you're quoting a tweet related to a trending topic (like a marketing conference or a news event), add the relevant hashtag to your comment (e.g., #SocialMediaMarketing, #SMMW24). This exposes your take to a much wider audience following that conversation.
• Tag Thought Leaders: When you're adding analysis, feel free to tag another expert or brand in that space to get their input (e.g., "Great point by @OriginalPoster. I wonder how this impacts the work that @AnotherExpert is doing in the field."). Use this sparingly and only when it genuinely adds value, or it can come off as spammy.

The Simple Dos and Don'ts of Quoting Tweets

Like any social media interaction, quoting has its own etiquette. Follow these simple guidelines to make sure you’re always contributing positively and professionally.

Dos:

• ✅ Do Add Value: Always ask yourself, "Does my comment add a new idea, question, or piece of context?" If the answer is no, a simple retweet might be better.
• ✅ Do Be Constructive: Even when you disagree, focus your criticism on the argument, not the person. Keep the conversation productive.
• ✅ Do Give Context: If you are quoting a tweet that is part of a larger conversation, make sure your commentary provides enough context for your followers to understand what's going on.

Don'ts:

• ❌ Don't "Dunk" Mindlessly: Avoid quote tweeting just to mock or belittle someone without offering any substance. It's often seen as poor form and can damage your brand's reputation.
• ❌ Don't Quote Out of Context: Never misrepresent someone’s original point by quoting them in a misleading way. It’s a quick way to lose trust.
• ❌ Don't Start Every Post with a Quote: It's a great tool, but it shouldn't be the only type of content you post. A healthy content mix includes original thoughts, replies, polls, and links directly from you.

Final Thoughts

Mastering the quote tweet gives you a powerful tool to engage in conversations, provide value, and build your brand on X. By moving beyond simple retweets and adding your unique commentary, you transform yourself from a spectator into an active participant and a must-follow voice in your community.

Building an effective content strategy isn’t just about making individual posts, it’s about a consistent, planned approach that keeps your audience engaged. That's why we built Postbase. Our visual content calendar helps you plan your entire content mix - including strategic quote tweets - all in one place, while our unified inbox brings all your replies and comments together so you can easily manage the conversations you start, without the chaos of switching between screens.