For those new to mastodon...

There is no algorithm there. (for better or worse, mostly better)

Boosts are the *only* way that a post will get more visibility.

Bookmarks = I'd like to find this again in the future

Star/favorite = I read this, and it didn't suck.

Boost = more people should see this.

@zebpalmer star = boost + bookmark ?
@WuMing2 no, star is just feedback to the author. it has no other functionality.
But starred posts belong to a Favorites list just above Bookmarks. On web UI.