Maximus ClarkeNov 10, 2022

1/4 A key thing I've learned about Mastodon: When you find your friends on here, don't just follow them — add them to a list!

If you follow a lot of accounts, your close friends' posts may not show up in your feed at a time you're logged on. Unlike FB or Twitter, Mastodon has no algorithm to resurface your friends' posts from hours or days ago.

Solution: Create a list called "Friends" and check it when you're on. This will ensure that you see what they posted while you were away. (cont'd)

Show threadSchuylerNov 10, 2022
@bookofsand Why does having them on a list make a difference?
Show threadMaximus ClarkeNov 10, 2022
@schuyler Because when you go to look at that list, you'll see all your friends' recent posts grouped together on your timeline. Otherwise you might never see them, if they were posted while you were away.
Show threadCalicosineNov 10, 2022
@bookofsand But then shouldn't they just be downloaded from the various servers when refreshing the main feed? Genuine question, I'm a bit confused with this.
Show threadMaximus Clarke

@DrewNaylor The problem is that your main feed is purely chronological. It will show you whatever the most recent stuff is from EVERY account you follow.

What I'm talking about is making a special list that's just for your personal friends, as opposed to all the non-personal-friend accounts you might be following on here.

If you don't do that, your friends' posts might get lost in the flow of other stuff.

Nov 10, 2022 at 11:37pmWeb
Show threadCalicosineNov 10, 2022
@bookofsand Oh, ok, that makes sense. Generally I only follow a small number of accounts anyway.