Mastodon is the new Twitter

7 x what you need to know about the new platform

Twitter is owned by Elon Musk and although he loudly claims that he will bring it back to its ‘original form’ (he even allows Donald Trump to return), Twitter has drifted far from the social platform that aims to connect people, with all its algorithms and commercial purposes. On the day it was announced that Elon, I can call him Elon but he doesn't listen, bought Twitter, Mastodon gained 70,000 new followers. Time to shed light on this new network.

1. Mastodon is pronounced as Méstodon, in an American way. However, there are also purists who say ‘mas-to-don’. It was founded in 2016 by the German developer Eugen Rochko.

2. You post toots instead of tweets
When you post something on Mastodon, it's a toot.

3. It is divided into small communities, where it is hoped that there is more control in a small community and that people can and will address each other on inappropriate behavior. You also get into the right group faster, and thus a selection process takes place, as you indicate where your interests lie.

4. Your timeline is purely chronological and is not determined by algorithms

5. It is not commercial

6. You can set it so that you see local tweets, or rather, toots, or that your toots are only shown locally

7.  According to tech journalists, Mastodon is safer than other social media. While Twitter collects information, sells it, and shows ads, Mastodon is really only there for the use of its followers.