The federated web (open social web) is a group of open and decentralized independent social platforms (or servers) run by different people/organizations, which allow individual users to retain their data. Users can communicate across platforms and freely migrate data from one server to another through shared protocols (such as ActivityPub or AT Protocol), enabling greater data autonomy.

Key Terms

Protocol: A protocol is a standardized set of rules that governs how different systems, servers, or applications communicate and exchange information. If two platforms share the same protocol, they can talk to each other, follow each other, and interact with each other, regardless of who built them or where they're hosted.

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Major protocols: ActivityPub, ATProtocol

Platforms under ActivityPub: Mastodon, GoToSocial, CalcKey, MissKey, PixelFed (photo), Loops (short-form videos), PeerTube (video), and others

• These platforms as set are called the “fediverse”

Platforms under ATmosphere: Bluesky, Frontpage, Blacksky, Smoke Signal, Flashes, Spark, Wisp, and others

• These platforms as set make up the “ATmosphere” </aside>

Decentralization: ****There is no single owner or server controlling the network (unliked current major platforms like X or Instagram). The network is made up of many independent systems (sometimes referred to as instances or nodes) run by different people or organizations. How one system changes and sets its rules does not impact others, and you have choice in which system to join and follow.

Open-source: ****The code and protocols are publicly available. This is in contrast to current major platforms where the rules/filters, algorithms, and code are privately controlled.

Still confused? Check out this helpful example about Alice and Bob.

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Tip: A helpful comparison is Email

• Gmail users can still email Outlook users because email is based on an open protocol.
• Open social aims to make social media work the same way. </aside>

The fediverse and other open social platforms are not just alternatives to X. They can also help journalists build direct audience relationships that support newsletters, memberships, sponsorships, donations, and other revenue models. For a deeper look at how journalists can use these platforms to turn discovery into durable support, read:

Engagement and Monetization