A social media network focusing on users

Social media sites play a prominent role in many people`s lives nowadays. Still, most of them operate similarly. Are you looking to use social media without large companies steering which feeds you see first and truly ad-free? Then consider opening an account on Mastodon, an open-source microblogging platform that focuses on its users instead of commercial purposes.

Decentralized network powered by the blockchain

The blockchain powers mastodon, so basically, it is a distributed network. Most people associate the blockchain with cryptocurrencies, though more and more applications are being built upon it these days. And while Mastodon is not the first decentralized social media, this microblogging platform is definitely the one that managed to reach the mainstream. So it is not solely limited to the blockchain community.

An alternative microblogging platform

In 2016 Eugen Rochko wrote and launched the microblogging platform software as an alternative to commercial social networks. It is built on the open-source GNU Social protocol, and the API uses the ActivityPub protocol. As such, Mastodon is part of a larger fediverse; the name is an aggregation of federation and universe. Other decentralized networks like Pixelfed and Peertube are interoperable with Mastodon.

Mastodon instances are a collection of distinct communities

Because of the open-source and decentralized nature, there is no master server running the network. User can create their own community, these are named instances on Mastodon, by hosting the microblogging platform on their hardware. Instances interconnect with other users in different communities. This community model allows anyone to join the platform, but otherwise, it generates several distinct instances.

All communities together form the fediverse

On the fediverse, you will find communities for open-source developers, language-based groups, universities, pirate organizations, and a whole abundance of special interest circles. A large group of users joins because of discontent with the more classic social media networks. In general, you could summarize by saying that the people on Mastodon share the idea of online privacy protection and opposition to centralized censorship.

Community-driven censorship

As there is no central administration, all instances create their own set of rules and content creation requirements. The creator of an instance can moderate and action against members of their community. Furthermore, instance administrators set the rules of interaction with other instances or even block connections. On the other hand, individual users can mute, block, or report other members. You could say that censorship is community-driven on Mastodon. And you are always free to either start your own instance or join another one that fits more to your ideas.

Similarities to the Twitter microblogging platform

At first glance, the Mastodon microblogging platform looks very similar to Twitter. Instead of a 280 character limit, you can use up to 5oo characters, though. Posts on Mastodon are named toots; reposting someone else`s toot is a boost. A # also precedes hashtags in front of it. And to post a reply, you will use the @ followed by the user name. But there the similarities end.

Unique naming principle comparable to email addresses

Content gets presented in chronological order, not by an algorithm that decides for itself the most interesting feeds to show first. To search for a person in another instance, you will need to know the user account name and the instance he or she is a member of. So @somename@mastodon.online is not the same person as @somename@mastodon.cloud. Although this can be somewhat confusing when you just start to use this microblogging platform, you can compare this unique naming principle with how email addresses are used on email domains.

Content warning and privacy options

Mastodon uses a web interface, and as such, you can open it on any device. The interface is intuitive with 3 distinct areas. On the left, there is a text box where you can write and send your toots. Apart from linking images, video, or audio, you can hide your text or picture as well. This Content Warning tool masks your message behind a blurry block; viewers must click it before the text or image appears. The Toot Privacy button allows you to set the level of visibility of your toot. You can specify either to show it in public timelines or to followers only or to explicitly mentioned users.

Feeds divided into separate timelines

In the center area, you will see your Home feeds from other members you are following. Unless you click on one of the shortcuts provided on the right side of the interface; the links here help you navigate other timelines. The Local timeline lists toots from the instance you joined, while the Federated timeline shows messages from all associated instances. You can also switch to Notifications, Direct Messages, Preferences, and more on this right pane.

How to join a Mastodon instance

To join the Mastodon microblogging platform, you first need to pick an instance that accepts registrations. Some instances are closed right now because of the high amount of people registered for them already. Mastodon provides a decent overview of available instances categorized by topic, with a description of their main focus, plus the number of members. Take your time to read about them and choose one whose terms and conditions appeal to you. After registering, you can start following any user from any instance.

A social network with growing members

Other social media are not going to disappear because of Mastodon. But with over 4 million members at the time of writing, this decentralized network is here to stay. People join not to redo what they already have on social networks. They jump in because of the ad-free, not-for-profit, and community-driven approach.