Twitter is a lot of things, but stable isn’t one of them, at least as of December 2022. This has left many users looking for alternative social networking platforms. One such platform is Mastodon, an open-source microblogging site that has attracted a lot of attention since its launch in 2016. But is Mastodon a true alternative to Twitter? Let’s find out.
What Is Mastodon?
Mastodon is an open-source microblogging platform similar to Twitter. It was created by Eugen Rochko in 2016 and has since become one of the most popular decentralized social networks on the web.
Unlike Twitter, which is owned and controlled by a single company, Mastodon is maintained by a network of independent servers that are managed by individual users or groups. This means that each server can set its own rules for content moderation, making it easier for users to find communities that match their interests or locations.
If you already have an account on Mastodon, you'll have noticed some similarities between it and Twitter. Some of these include:
1. Toots and Tweets
Mastodon and Twitter are both built around short messages, called "toots" on Mastodon and "tweets" on Twitter. These messages can include text, images, videos, and other media. They can be made public or sent privately to other users. One difference to note is that while tweets can only be up to 140 characters, Mastodon allows users to write longer messages of up to 500 characters.
2. Followers and Following
Mastodon and Twitter both allow users to follow other users, meaning the content they post will show up in their followers' feeds. They can also "mute" or block any user they don't want to see in their feed.
Both platforms also use hashtags to organize content and make it easier for users to find posts related to a specific topic. On Mastodon, you can find all the posts on a specific topic across several Instances using the hashtag.
4. Timelines
Both Mastodon and Twitter display users' posts in a timeline format, which makes it easy for users to scroll through recent content.
While Mastodon is similar to Twitter, there are a few key differences that set it apart. Some of these are feature-based, while others are related to the underlying culture of the platform.
1. Decentralized Network
One of the most notable differences between Mastodon and Twitter is that Mastodon is a decentralized network. It isn't owned and controlled by a single company like Twitter. Instead, Mastodon is maintained by a network of independent servers that are managed by individual users or groups.
2. Content Moderation
Another difference between Mastodon and Twitter is how content is moderated. On Twitter, all content is subject to the same moderation rules set by Twitter. Mastodon relies on “Instances”—individual servers run by individual users or groups who decide what kind of content they want to allow on their server.
This helps create smaller, more focused communities than can be found on larger platforms like Twitter or Facebook.
3. Privacy Settings
Mastodon has more robust privacy settings than Twitter. Users can choose whether they want their posts to be public, only visible to followers, or only visible to mentioned users. This gives users more control over who sees their content and helps keep trolls and spammers at bay.
4. User Interface
Before Elon's Twitter buyout, Mastodon used to be only for the tech-savvy. Much of the credit for this goes to the platform's user interface, which is much less intuitive and user-friendly than Twitter. Why this is so isn't far-fetched—Mastodon was intended to be an open-source Twitter alternative, and not necessarily a “Twitter-killer.”
Mastodon does not allow for ads or any form of promotion, which means users don’t have to worry about seeing sponsored content in their feeds.
6. Users' Potential Reach
Twitter is much larger than Mastodon, so tweets have the potential to reach a much wider audience. On Mastodon, content can reach a relatively small number of people, even if it's posted on the most popular servers. This is because of Mastodon's decentralized structure, which prevents content from reaching users on other servers.
7. Audience
Twitter tends to attract more mainstream users, while Mastodon is generally populated by tech-savvy users who are looking for an alternative to Twitter. This means that the content on Mastodon may be more technical and focused on certain topics than what one would find on Twitter.
Given its similarities with Twitter, Mastodon can certainly be seen as a viable alternative for users who are looking for an open-source platform with more control over privacy settings and content moderation. However, Twitter goes beyond features and design—it’s the culture of the platform, which is what sets it apart from its alternatives.
Twitter's renown as a bridge between regular people and celebrities, politicians, and influencers makes it an attractive platform for many users. Mastodon may have the features to compete with Twitter, but its audience and its potential reach make the two platforms so different.
If you're tech-inclined, Mastodon may be a good alternative to Twitter. But it's unlikely that it'll be a good enough Twitter alternative for the general population. Not in its current state, at least.
It’s worth noting here that Mastodon is still a very young platform—as it continues to grow and evolve, its features and user base may become more similar to Twitter’s. Until then, it will remain an interesting open-source (but not a good enough) alternative.
In conclusion, Mastodon qualifies as a viable alternative to Twitter but for a still very niche audience: tech-savvy users who are looking for an open-source platform with more control over privacy settings and content moderation.
Twitter, on the other hand, remains the go-to platform for those looking to reach a much wider audience and engage with celebrities and influencers. Ultimately, the decision to choose one platform over another will depend on the individual user's goals and preferences. And who says you can't have accounts on both?
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