One of the most widely discussed alternatives to Twitter in the wake of Elon Musk’s takeover has been Mastodon, a federated microblogging service. But just what does that mean? How does federated social media work differently from legacy platforms?
At its core, federated social media operates through interconnected nodes or servers, known as "instances," which are independently owned and operated by individuals, organizations, or communities. Rather than having a single central service that all people use, federated social media is composed of multiple services, that any number of people can use. These instances function as micro-social networks, which allow users to join and interact with others within their chosen instance.
Image courtesy of axbom.com/fediverse
(caption + source)
In a federated form of social media, users have the freedom to choose their preferred instance based on factors such as community focus, content moderation policies, or personal preferences. Each instance maintains its own set of rules and guidelines, allowing for greater diversity in terms of governance and moderation approaches. This gives users the ability to enjoy a more tailored and customized experience while still feeling as if they are part of a broader network.
Federated social media promotes user control and privacy by design. In a decentralized social media platform, data is distributed across multiple instances, user information is less susceptible to large-scale data breaches or surveillance. Users can maintain ownership of their data and have the option to migrate to another instance without losing their social connections or content.
One of the main challenges of federated social media is the fragmentation of user communities. With numerous instances, each with its own rules and moderation policies, finding and connecting with a diverse range of users can be difficult. Communities may become isolated within their instances, leading to echo chambers and limited exposure to different perspectives.