Mastodon is a free, open-source social networking platform that allows users to communicate with each other through short messages known as “toots.” It is similar to other social media platforms like Twitter, but it is decentralized, meaning that it is not controlled by any single company or organization. This makes it a more secure and privacy-focused alternative to centralized platforms like Twitter.
In this guide, we will go over the basics of how to use Mastodon, including creating an account, composing toots, interacting with other users, and more.
Getting started with Mastodon
The first step to using Mastodon is to sign up for an account on a Mastodon instance. An instance is a self-contained version of Mastodon hosted on a server by a person or organization. There are many different Mastodon instances to choose from, each with its own community and rules. To find an instance that is right for you, you can visit the Mastodon instance directory and browse through the list of available instances.
Once you have found an instance that you like, click on the link to visit the instance’s sign-up page. You will need to provide a username, email address, and password to create an account. You will also be asked to provide a short bio and select a profile picture. Once you have completed the sign-up process, you will be able to log in to your account and start using Mastodon.
Composing toots
Once you have logged in to your Mastodon account, you can start composing toots by clicking on the “Compose” button in the top menu. A toot is a short message that you can send to other users on Mastodon. You can include text, images, and links in your toots.
To compose a toot, type your message into the text field and click the “Toot” button to send it. Your toot will be visible to all of the users who follow you, as well as anyone who visits your profile. You can also choose to make your toot visible to the entire Mastodon network by clicking the “Public” button.
Interacting with other users
One of the main features of Mastodon is the ability to interact with other users through toots and replies. To reply to a toot, click on the “Reply” button underneath the toot and type your response in the text field that appears. Your reply will be visible to the original poster and anyone else who has interacted with the toot.
You can also interact with other users by liking and boosting their toots. To like a toot, click the “Like” button underneath the toot. This will add a heart icon to the toot and let the original poster know that you appreciate their message. To boost a toot, click the “Boost” button. This will re-share the toot with your followers and give it greater visibility.
Managing your account and privacy
Mastodon gives you a number of options for managing your account and protecting your privacy.
To edit your profile, click on the “Edit profile” button in the top menu. From here, you can update your bio, change your profile picture, and set your display name.
To manage your followers and who you are following, click on the “Following” or “Followers” links in the top menu. From here, you can view the users that you are following and the users who are following you, and you can choose to follow or unfollow other users.
To protect your privacy, Mastodon allows you to set your account to private.
To set your account to private, click on the “Edit profile” button in the top menu and then click on the “Privacy” tab. From here, you can toggle the “Private” switch to “On.” When your account is set to private, only users who have been approved by you will be able to see your toots and interact with you.
Mastodon also provides a number of features to help you block or mute other users. To block a user, click on the user’s profile and then click the “Block” button. This will prevent the user from following you, interacting with your toots, and seeing your profile. To mute a user, click on the user’s profile and then click the “Mute” button. This will prevent the user’s toots from appearing in your timeline, but they will still be able to follow you and interact with your toots.
Using hashtags and mentions
Mastodon allows you to use hashtags and mentions to organize and interact with other users.
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the “#” symbol. Hashtags are used to group toots together around a specific topic or theme. To use a hashtag in your toot, simply include the hashtag in your message preceded by the “#” symbol. For example, if you want to include the hashtag “mastodon” in your toot, you would type “#mastodon” in your message.
A mention is a way of calling attention to another user in your toot. To mention a user in your toot, type the “@” symbol followed by the user’s username. For example, if you want to mention the user “theanshuanand,” you would type “@theanshuanand” in your message. When you mention a user, they will receive a notification and be able to view your toot.
Conclusion
Mastodon is a powerful and flexible social networking platform that offers users a secure and privacy-focused alternative to centralized platforms like Twitter. With its rich set of features and decentralized structure, Mastodon provides a unique and engaging experience for users looking to connect with others online. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be well on your way to using Mastodon and participating in its vibrant and diverse community.
For any suggestions or corrections feel free to reach out at contact@anshuanand.in