Why Privacy, Self-Sovereignty, Decentralisation, and Freedom of Speech Matter More Than Ever

https://beitmenotyou.online/privacy-self-sovereignty-decentralisation-freedom-of-speech/

🌐 #Decentralisedsocialmedia, exemplified by the #Fediverse, allows users to retain their content and network when switching platforms.

🗽 This challenges the power of centralised platforms, enabling users to choose platforms rather than being locked in.

😥 However, #decentralisation faces #challenges in user adoption, sustainability, and mainstream appeal, with the success of the Fediverse contingent on addressing these issues.

👉 https://publicknowledge.org/why-decentralized-social-media-matters/?Fedizen.EU #Fedizen #Fediverse #ActivityPub #News

The Pixelfed moment

Pixelfed embodies what Instagram ought to be: a photography-focused social media app free from ads, algorithms, and invasive tracking. It’s decentralised and built on the ActivityPub protocol, allowing anyone to install it on their own server (much like hosting a website) while maintaining complete ownership of their account and data.

But perhaps they don’t know how to set up servers, or maybe they just don’t want to. People are used to the convenience of corporate social media’s login’n’play approach. It is one of modern life’s Faustian bargains: you open a website or app to fulfil a basic human instinct, to socialise. The only cost is your soul, your principles, your integrity, or whatever you call it when you alienate yourself by giving your time and data to the wealthiest individuals on the planet.

Pardon the (slightly) demagogic rant. What I’m getting at is that if you don’t want to be owned, someone needs to cover the cost of running the server. It’s not expensive (I pay $5/month for my self-hosted Pixelfed account), but if self-hosting isn’t for you, there are many generous individuals who offer space on their servers. One such option is Pixelfed’s main server, pixelfed.social, which currently hosts 146,000 active users and 46 million posts. This server is managed by Pixelfed’s creator, Daniel Supernault. At the end of January, he explained on Mastodon that this server and other he hosts cost around $4,000 per month.

Then, a month ago, he started a Kickstarter campaign to secure funding for further development of his projects (in addition to Pixelfed, he is working on Loops, a decentralised alternative to TikTok (though whether the world truly needs another time-draining app, decentralised or not, is a debate for another day)).

Within 24 hours, the campaign had already reached its goal of CA$50,000. By its conclusion a month later (yesterday), it had raised an impressive CA$133,559. So Pixelfed is here to stay for quite some time. Although the comparison with Instagram, in terms of users and budget, remains absurd, this is one of those lovely stories from the Fediverse that echoes us of the early years of the web. Long life to Pixelfed!

https://youtu.be/1hV2up62i1I?si=5m48DccbChypB1ss

#ActivityPub #decentralisedSocialMedia #Fediverse #Pixelfed #socialWeb

#SmallBusinessSupport, #DigitalTransformation, #OpenSource, #DecentralisedSocialMedia, #TechForGood, #RemoteWork, #Sustainability

Benefits of Mastodon for Businesses and Professionals

Thinking of using Mastodon for your business or professional presence? Here’s why it’s worth considering:

🌟 Key Benefits

1️⃣ Decentralisation and Control
• Mastodon is decentralised, meaning no algorithms control your audience.
• You own your content and can choose a server aligned with your values.

2️⃣ Algorithm-Free Visibility
• Posts appear in chronological order, so followers see your content without interference.
• No ads or forced engagement tactics—just organic reach.

3️⃣ Customisable Privacy
• Control your posts with visibility settings (Public, Followers-only, or Direct).
• Content warnings (CW) let you add context to sensitive or niche posts.

4️⃣ Engaged and Niche Communities
• Mastodon has smaller, interest-focused communities compared to large social networks.
• You can connect directly with people in your industry or niche.

5️⃣ Hashtag Discoverability
• Hashtags are powerful on Mastodon, helping your posts reach broader audiences.
• Use relevant hashtags to make your content visible across the network.

6️⃣ Ad-Free Networking
• Mastodon fosters genuine conversations without ad interruptions.
• Build relationships based on value, not promotions.

7️⃣ Inclusive and Open Source
• Mastodon is open-source and encourages diverse voices, unlike commercial platforms.
• Its community-oriented ethos makes it ideal for authentic connections.

Mastodon is more than just a platform—it’s a community-focused tool to build real connections while staying true to your values. Ready to give it a go?

Delve into the world of decentralised social media and unearth untapped SEO benefits!

With no central control, your content reaches a broader audience leading to enhanced online visibility. Witness immediate impact with improved search rankings, and anticipate potential SEO optimisation at its finest without data privacy concerns. Thoughts on this fresh perspective on SEO strategy? Share your insights!

#DecentralisedSocialMedia #SEOBenefits #DataPrivacy #OnlineVisibility