What is a Mastodon server? How to pick the best one for you
The decentralised social media platform has attracted a burst of new users, each of whom has to pick a home server to get started.
Fledgling social media platform Mastodon has enjoyed a sharp uptick in users in the past few weeks. Many Twitter users have started to look for an alternative site and Mastodon offers many of the same features as Twitter, but with very different structure.
Mastodon makes use of open source decentralised technology which allows users to create their own servers, which can function as independent sites. This makes the platform fundamentally different to Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, where the site is overseen by a single governing body.
Anybody on Mastodon is able to make their own server, but most users simply join those which suit their needs. There are currently more than 7,500 servers, each with a different combination of moderation policy, privacy guidelines, content focus and number of users.
The servers, known on the site as ‘instances’, are individual communities that just happen to be based on the same Mastodon technology. Once you have set up your account you can choose to follow users from different servers, but bear in mind that they will have to adhere to the rules of their server, not yours.
Which Mastodon server should I sign up with?
New users must sign up to one home server that will serve as the centre of their online community. This means that the choice you make will have a big impact on your Mastodon experience.
The most popular server is Mstdn.social, a general social server that boasts more than 75,000 users. It is a good starting point for new users to explore the site and post without being restricted to a certain topic.
If you’re looking to keep up to date with technological developments, Fosstodon.org could be the place for you. It currently has around 22,000 users and is growing fast. Mastodon.green hosts more than 6,000 environmentally-active users, while Gensokyo.social is the top Mastodon server for gamers.
However for most users a general server will be the best option to give an overview of what the platform has to offer. Rather than selecting an instance specialising in a certain topic, consider what sort of a community you want to be a part of.
This could include:
- Moderation guidelines – Governs what type of content is allowed
- Server age – Newer servers may be less stable and more likely to disappear
- Privacy policy – Dictates how easily you can interact with other users
- Sign-up review process – Some servers offer instant access, while other have a longer process
Consider these four key attributes of a Mastodon server before you sign up to ensure you make the most of the platform.