# 'Topic or post deleted' filter in mod queue filters

**URL:** <https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic-or-post-deleted-filter-in-mod-queue-filters/413650>\
**Category:** Support\
**Created:** [September 30, 2026, 12:53pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic-or-post-deleted-filter-in-mod-queue-filters/413650 "2026-09-30T12:53:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Squidgemonster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/squidgemonster/32/531164_2.png) [@Squidgemonster](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Squidgemonster)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 12:53pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic-or-post-deleted-filter-in-mod-queue-filters/413650/1 "2026-09-30T12:53:50Z")

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Hello Discourse folks

Can I just ask - the ‘Topic or post deleted’ filter in the mod queue - what is this for? When I filter by it I see nothing. My expectation was that it would allow me to see all deleted topics/posts… but does this only show ones that have been deleted via a moderator/flag action?

I’ve had a question from a Mod asking about being able to view deleted content - and was going to point them to that filter, but it seems they will have to use the [user specific view](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-to-find-deleted-posts/134424/2) or manually add a [query to the end of a url](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-to-find-deleted-posts/134424/8) - is this correct?

Additionally - can I check - do topics/posts get permanently deleted if not flagged prior to deletion?

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**Author:** ![awesomerobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/awesomerobot/32/142900_2.png) [@awesomerobot](https://meta.discourse.org/u/awesomerobot)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic-or-post-deleted-filter-in-mod-queue-filters/413650/2 "2026-09-30T13:28:05Z")

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It’s really more like “Queued post withdrawn”… it only shows posts that were held for approval and then deleted before a moderator approved or rejected them. Moderators reject queued posts rather than deleting them, so those appear under “rejected.” That’s why this filter is easy to find empty. We could maybe rename it to “Queued post withdrawn”?

A post that was flagged and then deleted shows up under “approved” (or “Flag ignored” if it was deleted with “Delete and ignore”, or deleted by its author).

The review queue generally isn’t the place to find deleted content. `/latest?status=deleted` or `/filter?q=status:deleted` are the best way to see a general list of deleted topics. For a specific user, the best path is `/u/username/deleted-posts`, which staff can reach by clicking the deleted posts count at the top of a profile.

> [@Squidgemonster](#):
>
> do topics/posts get permanently deleted if not flagged prior to deletion?

No, flagging isn’t involved. Deleted posts stay in the database as a soft delete so staff can view or restore them.

Hard deletion usually only happens when the `can_permanently_delete` setting is on and an admin takes the “Permanently delete” action on a soft-deleted post. There are other paths to this using the API or rails console.

A rejected queued post was never a real post to begin with, so its content is kept in the review queue record rather than appearing as a deleted post.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Squidgemonster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/meta/user_avatar/meta.discourse.org/squidgemonster/32/531164_2.png) [@Squidgemonster](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Squidgemonster)\
**Post date:** [September 30, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/topic-or-post-deleted-filter-in-mod-queue-filters/413650/3 "2026-09-30T13:49:33Z")

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Thank you so much @awesomerobot - that really helps clarify things 🙂

I think you’re right, renaming that dropdown may help avoid confusion within the mod filters.