A guide to the Fediverse

Think email, but for social media

You can email someone even when they use a different provider. The Fediverse applies a similar idea to social networks: you choose an account on one server and can follow or talk with people on many others. Mastodon is the best-known Fediverse platform, but it shares the network with other kinds of communities and publishing tools.

Three ideas to know

1. Your server is your home base

It hosts your account, sets local rules and provides your moderators. Your full address looks like @[email protected].

2. Federation connects communities

Servers exchange posts and profile updates using an open protocol. You do not need an account on every server to take part.

3. Local rules still matter

Each server has its own policies, moderation team and community culture. Servers may limit or block one another when their policies conflict.

How to get started

Choose a server. Read its description, rules, moderation approach and registration policy. A general-purpose server is fine while you learn.
Create your profile. Add a recognisable name, a short bio and a profile image. Include your interests so people know why they might follow you.
Follow a few people. Search for people you already know, browse hashtags and look at boosts from accounts you trust.
Introduce yourself. A short public post with an #introduction hashtag can help you meet people with shared interests.
Adjust your settings. Review post visibility, discoverability, content filters, notifications and two-factor authentication.

Public, unlisted and private are not the same

Visibility controls vary by software, but the principle is consistent: decide who should receive a post before publishing. A public post may appear in timelines, search or discovery services. More restricted posts are intended for a smaller audience and should not be treated as public content.

Good Fediverse etiquette

Use content warnings when a community expects them or when context helps people choose what to view.
Add alt text to images and captions to video when you can.
Ask before sharing a sensitive post outside its original context.
Do not treat follower counts as a substitute for conversation.
Use mute, block and filter tools freely to shape a healthy experience.

Can you move later?

Yes. Many Fediverse services let you redirect or migrate an account so followers can find your new home. Your old posts may not move automatically, so check the export and migration options offered by both servers before switching.

Explore with home.social

Browse popular hashtags, find people, discover shared news or search public Fediverse posts from the navigation above.