About Mastodon
Mastodon is an open-source social networking platform built around independent servers that can communicate with one another. These connected communities form part of the wider fediverse, rather than belonging to a single centrally managed social site. People choose a server with its own identity and rules, while still being able to follow and interact with members of other compatible communities.
Posts and Connected Communities
Members share short posts, links, images and other content, reply to conversations and follow accounts that interest them. Federation allows posts and relationships to extend beyond one server, so the community someone joins is a home base rather than the limit of their network. Different servers may emphasise particular interests, languages or values, creating a range of social environments within the same system.
Local Rules and Moderation
Server operators establish their own policies and moderation practices, and members participate within those expectations. The decentralised structure places responsibility across different communities rather than with one organisation. Each server develops its own focus and atmosphere, providing members with a locally organised home within a wider social network. Local conversations and cross-server connections let members combine a sense of community with discovery across the network.
Who It Suits
Mastodon suits people interested in community-led social networking, open-source software and connected online conversation. Members can choose a server whose identity reflects their interests while following people across the wider network. This structure supports creative communities, professional exchanges and everyday social interaction within a locally defined setting. The combination of independent communities and federation gives participants a way to develop connections around shared interests across different online spaces.