Beyond X: Diving into Mastodon and the Fediverse
Understanding the Fediverse and why it matters
This post is again part of my “Beyond X” series and today we’ll look at Mastodon. I pretty much use Mastodon on a daily basis, feel free to follow me there, too!
Mastodon is like a free and open-source version of X (formerly Twitter), but it's not run by one big company. It's decentralized, meaning it's made up of lots of different servers all connected together – that's called the Fediverse. They all talk to each other using a protocol called ActivityPub, so you can even chat with people on other similar platforms, not just Mastodon ones.
How It All Started
Mastodon gained considerable attention following Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter. As users sought alternatives, Mastodon experienced a surge in popularity. For example, on April 27, 2022, Mastodon gained 30,000 new users. This migration reflected a broader interest in decentralized social media.
As of January 2025, Mastodon has approximately 2.5 million active users. While this is still considerably smaller that X’s (apparently) 650 million active users , Mastodon remains a viable social network. There are about 9,700 Mastodon servers.
ActivityPub – The Protocol Behind Mastodon
ActivityPub is a W3C standard that enables different software packages to interoperate across a network of servers. It facilitates a decentralized social network where users on one platform can interact with users on another, fostering a more open and interconnected social media environment. Several platforms have expressed interest in supporting the ActivityPub protocol.
Who funds Mastodon’s operations?
Mastodon instances are primarily funded through crowdfunding and do not rely on advertisements or monetized features.
Here are some key points about how Mastodon and its instances are funded:
Crowdfunding: Mastodon is crowdfunded, relying on contributions from its users and supporters. As of November 2022, Mastodon was supported by 3,500 people.
Non-profit Status: Mastodon was registered in Germany as a non-profit organization (gemeinnützige GmbH) between 2021 and 2024. In April 2024, a US non-profit was established. In January 2025, Mastodon announced it would register a new European non-profit.
Rejection of Venture Capital: Mastodon has turned away at least five venture capital firms to preserve its non-profit status.
Sales of Merchandise: Mastodon has also started selling merchandise such as stuffed toys in October 2024.
Instances are run by individuals and organizations, and users join these servers as they wish. Each server can administer its own rules and account privileges. The main author of Mastodon believes that small, closely related communities deal with unwanted behavior more effectively than a large company’s safety team.
Getting Started with Mastodon
Choose an Instance: Unlike centralized social networks, Mastodon requires users to join a specific server or "instance". Many servers are themed around specific interests. Here you can search for a suitable Mastodon instance for you.
Create an Account: Sign up on the chosen instance.
Explore the Interface: Mastodon offers a microblogging interface similar to X. Users can post short messages, known as "toots," with up to 500 characters.
Follow and Interact: Search for users and hashtags to follow. Interact with posts on both local and federated timelines.
Customize Privacy: Mastodon provides various privacy options for posts and accounts.
Conclusion
Mastodon represents a significant shift towards decentralized social media, providing users with more control and a community-driven environment. Its foundation in the ActivityPub protocol promotes interoperability and a departure from the walled gardens of traditional social networks. The platform continues to evolve, offering a unique space for online interaction.
Have you tried Mastodon or other Fediverse platforms?