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Mastodon is a social data pipe thatdoesn’t work like other social networks.
What makes Mastodon different?
Algorithm Free
Long-time social media users may remember when algorithms didn’t dominate the landscape.
Mastodon
Every timeline and feed was in a simple chronological order.
When one of your friends posted something, you saw it.
Food tasted better, the air smelled sweeter—okay, I’m getting carried away.
That’s not how social networks operate anymore, not by a long shot.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, andTikTokare dominated by algorithms with one purpose—keeping you on the website/app.
They use your content to keep others engaged.
You are the product.
Related:A Twitter Alternative: How Does Mastodon Work?
The social data pipe makes sure everyone knows that you liked it.
The “like” button is not just a simple “good job!”
to the user, it’s a megaphone that tells everyone “HEY I LIKE THIS!!”
Mastodon doesn’t have any Facebook or Twitter-style algorithms that manipulate what you view.
The post doesn’t get shoved in the feeds of your friends, and vice versa.
Your feed is only content from accounts you followed.
No ads, no Reels, just the stuff you signed up for.
Related:Why Is TikTok So Popular?
That’s not how it works on Mastodon.
It allows users to decide if they want their posts to be found.
In addition, you could’t “Quote Tweet” posts on Mastodon.
That’s when you re-share a post and add your own comment.
Quote Tweets invite toxic “dunking” on people with insults and generally don’t add much value.
No Fake Internet Points
The other thing social networks do is gamify the experience with popularity points.
Likes, shares, retweets, views, followers, etc.
The numbers go up and make you feel good; the numbers go down and make you feel bad.
Many Mastodon servers don’t even show likes and boosts (retweet) counts on posts in the timeline.
This contributes to an atmosphere that isn’t so obsessed with making content go “viral.”
Your post with 1,000 likes can easily be scrolled past, just like any other post.
The content warning/spoiler feature plays a part in this as well.
Mastodon allows you to hide the contents of your post unless someone clicks on it.
Mastodon literally lets you shield people’s eyes from your posts.
Toot, Toot, All Aboard
you might see why some people feel very disoriented on Mastodon.
The usual pitfalls of social media aren’t really present, and that’s a strange feeling.
You sorta have to rewire your brain and think about social media in a different way.
Mastodon is a lot like how social media used to be, and that’s a good thing.
Algorithms and the constant need for growth have changed that.
It might just be thecure for social mediayou’ve been looking for.
