Mastodon is an open-source social networking platform that has been gaining popularity as a viable alternative to Twitter. It was created in 2016 by Eugen Rochko as a decentralized, federated network that allows users to create their own instances and connect with others across the network.
“Mastodon is like a thousand different communities under one roof” -Eugen Rochko
Mastodon works on a federated architecture, which means that instead of one centralized server, multiple servers (known as instances) host their own communities. Users can create their own instances or join existing ones and can interact with users on other instances through a process known as federation.
Around 70,000 users quit Twitter for Mastodon, the platform has not become popular, partly due to its technical faults in the app, confusion on how it should be used, and the small number of people that joined the network.
Though the platform has improved significantly over the year, with better performance and fixing many of its technical errors and glitches, many users still find it difficult to navigate and often leave the platform because of the lack of known celebrities and personalities using the platform.
Mastodon’s federated architecture makes it unique from other social media platforms. This means that users have more control over their content and the communities they participate in. Additionally, Mastodon’s open-source nature allows developers to create their own custom versions of the platform, leading to a diverse and decentralized network.
There are several benefits to using Mastodon over other social media platforms. Firstly, its federated architecture allows for niche online communities to thrive, making it easier to find and connect with like-minded individuals. Secondly, Mastodon is privacy-focused and doesn’t use algorithms to curate content, which means users see content in a more chronological and unfiltered way. Finally, Mastodon’s decentralized nature means that it is less prone to censorship and data breaches.
Mastodon offers a unique and decentralized alternative to traditional social media platforms like Twitter. Its federated architecture, open-source nature, and privacy-focused approach make it a compelling option for those who value control over their online communities and content. With its growing popularity, Mastodon is worth considering as a viable alternative to mainstream social media platforms.
