Mastodon has become a growing digital community after Twitter's alleged impending shutdown, and here's why.
Since tech billionaire Elon Musk's Twitter takeover, the social media app has become the subject of controversial headlines for the past month. Thousands of Twitter employees are getting laid off and resigning in retaliation to Musk's questionable decisions.
Additionally, #RIPTwitter recently trended as speculations of the app shutting down due to the offices closing from a lack of employees, causing users to say goodbye to the app. As of writing, representatives from Twitter have not given any confirmation on whether the social media app will really shut down.
Interestingly, Mastodon revealed in a tweet that the social network had seen a growing number of active users as of late.
Over 1 million people have joined Mastodon since October 27. Between that and those who returned to their old accounts, the number of active users has risen to over 1.6 million today, which, for context, is over 3 times what it was just about two weeks ago!
— Mastodon (@Mastodon@mastodon.social) (@joinmastodon) November 12, 2022
How Does Mastodon Work: Fediverse, Instance, More
According to CNET, Mastodon is a free social media service where you can post your thoughts through "toots," similar to "tweets." Here you can follow other people and organizations for it to construct your personalized algorithm. Additionally, you can also favorite and boost posts from other people, similar to the like and retweet feature.
This photograph taken on November 7, 2022 shows the logos of social networks Twitter and Mastodon reflected in smartphone screens, in Paris.
However, despite its striking features similar to Twitter, this social network also has its differences. Mastodon is made up of thousands of social networks that are all running on various servers, or "instances," where you are able to communicate with one another through a system known as the Fediverse.
Additionally, the Fediverse features networks like PeerTube for videos, Funkwhale for music, PixelFed for pictures, and NextCloud for files in the server. Fortunately for new users, Mastodon servers do not necessarily need to be connected to the Fediverse.
Read Also: Experts Advise Twitters Users To Archive Tweets Amid Speculations of App's Shutdown Under Elon Musk
Is Mastodon Available on Mobile?
Fortunately, due to the open-source nature of the social network, both iPhone and Android feature many options to open your Mastodon server:
iPhone
- Metatext
- Tootle for Mastodon
- Toot!
- Stella
- Mast
Android
- Tusky
- Subway Tooter
- mastalab
- 11t
How To Join Mastodon?
According to Buffer's beginner guide to Mastodon, you must first locate the address of a server hosting an instance of the Mastodon program you are interested in that is accepting new registrations.
If you are looking for servers to join or to see where your current Twitter followers are, use Debirdify.
Fill out the form after finding an instance that you want to join that is accepting new members. Interestingly, users are free to reuse their Twitter username. After filling out the signup details, click 'Sign Up' and wait for the confirmation email. After you've verified your account, use the Edit Profile option to fill in your personal information.
Finally, start following users and interacting with your new digital space. Enter the name of the person you want to follow in the search box if you know their Mastodon IDs to curate your timeline with familiar people and interests.
Just in case you are looking to make a social media switch, consider trying out Mastodon.
Related Article: #RIPTwitter is Now Trending; Will Platform Shut Down? Here's What to Do if That Happens
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Written by: Andi C.
