Chris TrottierJan 27, 2023

Some people believe there's no purpose to "liking" something on Mastodon since it doesn't affect any algorithm.

Not the case.

It does something incredibly valuable: it acknowledges people.

Which is incredibly powerful, and is all the more important *because* it's not connected to gaming any algorithm.

By liking something on Mastodon, you are doing it honestly -- without any agenda at play other than that you like it.

So go ahead. Click that like button for its own sake.

magsJan 27, 2023
Show threadChris Trottier

When you boost, it’s for others.

But when you like, it’s for yourself.

Jan 27, 2023 at 4:18amIceCubesApp
Show threadhtimSxelAJan 27, 2023
@atomicpoet When I boost, its almost always because a fat-fingered a post while scrolling the feed on mobile 😅
Show threadBrian HawthorneJan 27, 2023
@htimsxela @atomicpoet Tusker let’s you turn on an “are you sure” dialog for reposts for just this reason !
Show threadekesJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet

No, a fav is a public endorsement because the list itself is public.

Show threadtrozJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet I like to think this way:

Bookmark - that’s just for me
Like - thank you to whoever posted
Boost - hey everyone, look at this

Show threadChristopher Jan 27, 2023

@troz @atomicpoet

This!

I don’t boost everything I like, I boost when I think others will want to see it too.

Show threadAnders BorchJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet I’d almost say the opposite:

When you boost, it’s “I wish I’d said this myself” - when you like, it’s “I like/agree/emphasize with what you’re saying”

When I boost it’s for myself.

When I like it’s for someone else.

😀

Show threadKirtJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet

I think of it more as for the person who posted it?

Where I want to acknowledge their contribution but not add clutter by replying with something that doesn't add anything interesting.

Or if I am replying and I want to show that I appreciate what they said, incase what I say could be read as argumentative? I have a weird tendency to be read as argumentative when I'm not intending to, but adding lots of extra words to clarify gets too verbose, or even more awkward.

Show threadJesseJan 27, 2023
@atomicpoet Nah. You should like for me. This void in my soul won't fill itself.
Show threadsw0rdfishJan 27, 2023
@atomicpoet and the author? I’d nice to know something you said was appreciated.
Show threadNancy VanDuzen 🥥🌴Jan 27, 2023
@atomicpoet Thanks for the explainer, I am new to Mastodon and like it a lot! I was unsure what server to join so picked one randomly, I have followed many that I did at the blue bird but it seems I only am seeing a small slice of the posts from the people I follow. If anyone can explain this I would be grateful. Do I need to change servers?
Show threadAlexJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet absolutely this.

I boost when I want others to see it. I like when I have and I like it. :)

Case in point - I like a lot of what you say, but I only boost stuff I think would be relevant to MY kind of community. You're way more technical than a lot of the people I chat with and I don't think they'd CARE about some of the details. I DO so I follow you, and I like them when I see it. :)

Show threadmagsJan 27, 2023
Not necessarily. Often, I press the ‘like’ button just to show that I’ve acknowledged the person’s toot. If I get a toot directed at me, I always ‘acknowledge’ it to let the person know I’ve at least read it.
If I agree and like the toot, I’ll usually reply with a text so they don’t feel ignored.
Show threadJDSJan 27, 2023
@atomicpoet it’s all nice sentiments, but when I “like” it’s specifically a message to the person who posted: “I like that you posted this, thanks”, even if it’s terrible news.
Show threadSocial User 🤿Jan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet I say:

Boost is for others

Favorite is for the OP

Bookmark is for yourself

Show threadzippyJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet This is how I wished it worked on Twitter!

Wish it were a heart on here though.

Show threadilyessJan 27, 2023

@atomicpoet When you like, it’s for OP.

When you bookmark, it’s for yourself.

Show threadSean MurthyFeb 28, 2023
@atomicpoet When you favorite it's just for a fleeting moment of gratification for OP and you. When you boost, it's for longer term visibility for OP and benefit for your network.