Definition:
Mastodon is a free and open source social network created at the end of 2016 by German Eugen Rochko. It works in a similar way to Twitter, although it allows you to post messages of up to 500 characters thatare called toots. It is part of the Fediverse platform, a group of social networks using the same computer protocol and emerging as an alternative to traditional networks: Friendi.ca (Facebook), Peertube (Youtube) or PixelFed (Instagram).
History and evolution of Mastodon
Apparently, Rochko made the decision to create Mastodon after Twitter changed its algorithm and began displaying news in a similar way to Facebook on its timeline in February 2016. It began as a social network with few users, but has experienced occasional growth in moments of ‘rebellion’ against Twitter. For example, in September 2018, many Spanish users created accounts as a protest measure against Twitter’s decision to block thousands of accounts for the use of certain expressions (“I kill you”) without taking into account the context. Currently, mastodon.social, the creator’s instance and the largest, has about 520,000 followers, still far from the 336 million followers of the world’s leading microblogging network. After the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk, the platform exceeded one million users in November 2022, and for many, it is the main alternative to the old Twitter, now called X.
How Mastodon works
Decentralization is one of the main features of Mastodon. They define themselves as “a federation” and joke about the example of comparing themselves to ‘StarTrek’. To join, you have to apply for membership in an independent ‘instance’ or group that may be specialized in politics, cinema or even memes. Each instance functions as a stand-alone server managed by an owner who must cover expenses out of their own pocket or with member donations.
Instances are not as airtight groups as they might seem. Belonging to a specific instance does not prevent you from being a follower and having followers who belong to other groups. So that everyone knows which instance each of the followers is in, the Mastodon nick is made up of two parts: the user’s name and the instance in which he is registered (@usuer@instance.com).
One of the advantages that users of the Eugen Rochko social network value most is the importance it attaches to the protection of personal data. To open an account, it only requires an email address and password, and does not collect any more personal or behavioral data from its users. The goal is to offer a “chronological feed” that makes it possible to “consume interesting content uninterruptedly” without selling anything.
Its interface is similar to that of some social network management and scheduling tools, such as Hootsuite, with a columnar layout that allows several fields to be displayed at the same time.
Mastodon’s philosophy
Mastodon boasts of being a social network without advertising or central authority and claims that its philosophy is inspired by combating the mistakes of other social networks. Its creator, Eugen Rochko, said in an interview (‘Learning from Twitter’s mistakes’) that one of its principles was precisely to flee from the tension and insults increasingly widespread on Twitter. Therefore, the user can choose an instance simply because of the rules that govern its operation and the fact that it has a moderator.
Other users, on the contrary, opt for a free social network like this because of the absence of censorship. In the last year, Twitter has blocked numerous accounts (many of them with a large number of followers) for using certain expressions without taking into account the context.
Mastodon differs from traditional social networks in several key ways. Unlike centralized platforms such as X-Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, Mastodon operates in a decentralized manner, allowing users to choose instances that align with their interests and values. This structure encourages a greater diversity of communities and moderation styles. In terms of privacy, Mastodon stands out for its commitment to personal data protection, in contrast to other social networks that typically collect and monetize large amounts of user information. In addition, by not having advertising, Mastodon offers a user experience that is more focused on content and less on marketing. Finally, the culture at Mastodon tends to be more collaborative and less competitive, with a focus on mutual support among users and creating a healthier environment for social interaction. This contrasts with the often more polarized and commercial atmosphere of traditional social networks.
Mastodon’s challenges and future
Although Mastodon has gained popularity, especially in times of dissatisfaction with other platforms, it faces significant challenges. One of the main ones is the learning curve for new users, who may find the decentralized structure and the need to choose an initial instance somewhat confusing compared to the simpler registration on centralized networks. In addition, the financial sustainability of the instances is an ongoing challenge. By relying on donations or personal funding from administrators, some instances may face difficulties in staying operational over the long term. This underscores the importance of an active and engaged community to support the maintenance of these servers. As for the future, Mastodon has the potential to influence the way we think about social networking, promoting a more open and collaborative model. As more users seek alternatives to traditional platforms, Mastodon could continue to grow and evolve, integrating new features and improving the user experience to appeal to a wider audience.