Mastodon is an open-source, decentralized social networking platform that enables users to create their own communities and interact with others across different instances seamlessly. Unlike traditional social media platforms, Mastodon operates on a federation model, which means that users can sign up on various servers (known as instances) that fit their interests, while still being able to communicate with users on other instances. This structure promotes user sovereignty, content moderation, and community-specific rules, allowing individuals to curate their online experience more effectively.
With a familiar microblogging interface, Mastodon supports features like "toots" (posts), reposting, favoriting, and following others, while also prioritizing user privacy and the absence of targeted advertising. The platform is designed to empower users with control over their data, and thanks to its open-source nature, anyone can host their own instance, contributing to a diverse and resilient ecosystem of social networks. Mastodon has gained popularity as an alternative to mainstream social media, attracting users who are looking for a more ethical and customized online experience.