Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
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In this section, we answer the most frequently asked questions about Mastodon, the microblogging solution. Is something missing? Let us know.
What is the Fediverse?
The Fediverse is a collective term for a large number of interconnected servers that host various web applications and platforms, work in a decentralized manner and communicate with each other via open protocols. It consists not only of Mastodon, but also of other services such as PeerTube, Pixelfed and many more that allow users to interact across platform boundaries. In practice, this means that a user of one of these platforms can create and share content and communicate with users of other platforms in the Fediverse. The Fediverse is therefore a kind of ecosystem of interoperable, distributed social networks based on openness, diversity and the independence of each instance.
What does "decentralized" mean?
"Decentralized" in the context of Mastodon means that there is not just one server that runs the entire network. Instead, there are many different servers that are managed by different organizations or individuals and are connected to each other via Mastodon's federated system. Each of these instances operates autonomously, with its own rules and community guidelines, but shares data with other instances in the network. This distributed network structure increases redundancy, diversity and resilience to outages or censorship.
What is federation?
In Mastodon, federation refers to the network in which different Mastodon instances can communicate and interact with each other. This means that even though users are registered on different servers, they can still see, share and react to content as if they were part of a single, large network. This connection between instances allows users to follow others, communicate and discover content beyond their own instance.
How do I choose a Mastodon instance?
You can choose an instance based on your interests, your language or even your location. Each instance has its own rules and moderation guidelines, which you should read before creating an account. You can find recommendations for a Mastodon instance on joinmastodon.org or instances.social, for example. We're also happy to host your own small or large Mastodon instance for you.
What is a toot?
Toots are posts on Mastodon. You can favorite (like), boost (share) and reply to them, as well as bookmark them.
Can I interact with people on other Mastodon instances?
Yes, thanks to federation, you can follow users of other instances, see their content and communicate with them.
Why is my Mastodon timeline empty?
An empty timeline may be because you are not following anyone yet, because you are on a new or less active instance, or because other users' privacy settings restrict the visibility of their toots. To see content in your timeline, start by following other users. You can search by interests, use hashtags or follow recommendations to find users you might be interested in. In general, the more you interact, follow people and become part of the community, the more your timeline will fill up.
How do I find interesting people on Mastodon?
You can use the Explore feature, search for hashtags or interests, look in Mastodon directories or follow recommendations from other users.
What are Mastodon relay servers?
Mastodon relay servers are auxiliary servers that improve the distribution of public posts (toots) between instances. They increase the visibility of smaller or new instances in the Fediverse by sharing their public content with other instances. This results in a richer federated timeline and encourages discovery and networking in the decentralized network.
Can I personalize my Mastodon account?
Yes, you can customize your profile picture, header image, bio, various links and other information in your profile settings.
How does privacy work on Mastodon?
Mastodon offers various privacy settings that let you control who can see each of your posts. You can share posts publicly, make them visible to followers only, or send them privately to specific users only. Please note that Mastodon has no end-to-end encryption and the operators of the servers involved could read these posts. For purely private messages, we therefore recommend using a messenger solution such as Matrix.