I’m liking the vibe here so far, but i’m still confused about the whole server/“ instance “thing ??

[3janeta@beige.party]

@anxietynectarr I started on social, followed some hashtags, followed some people, followed more people, and ran into a cluster of folks and realized many of them shared a server. So I moved there. And if you pick a server and it doesn’t work out? You can move!

[3janeta@beige.party]

@anxietynectarr basically, stick around a little while and it may make more sense

[nancylwayne@mastodon.social]

@anxietynectarr I've been here since 2022, and in my opinion, finding your people is more about the hashtags you use and search for than your instance. Most instances are communicating with one another.

So tell us about yourself and add hashtags to your introduction. This is a great place to post and find "random things and little life moments".

[sollat@masto.ai]

@anxietynectarr
Just find some people you vibe with (use hashtags, search, etc), take note of what server they’re on, move your account if m.soc is making u crazy.

@FediTips is helpful.

Good luck!

[gowin@social.tchncs.de]

@anxietynectarr

Think of instances like Quarters, or neighbourhoods.

So, its really nice if you can find a neighbourhood where the local discussions matches your interest. Many years ago, I started in an instance I liked because of their URL.

If your instance isn't interesting enough, you can always follow accounts and hashtags which will feed to your "home" stream.

Don't worry about instances, often, it's not very hard to move from one instance to another, if you end up choosing something else.

Welcome to the Fediverse!

[spencer@msto.cx]

@anxietynectarr boost things you find interesting and follow people who are interested in the things you are! it starts getting good when you follow about 100 people

[notyourfanboy@kolektiva.social]

@anxietynectarr
Don't worry about which server you are on.

Most folks don't spend lots of time on their server timeline. Although you can if you want.

Build out your personal timeline.

Follow everyone you run across. You want to follow like 200 folks to get started. Then unfollow, block, or mute as needed.

You should follow everyone who replied to this post, for example. Since they took the time to offer advice.

As there is no algorithm it's on you to build a personal timeline that you like. And this is the great thing about mastodon.

[notyourfanboy@kolektiva.social]

@anxietynectarr
Server and Instance are mostly interchangeable in this context. They mean the same thing.

[david@social.ofaolain.com]

@anxietynectarr Welcome! I agree with the suggestions about hashtags. Search for a keyword related to an interest you have and follow matching hashtags. You'll also see ones like #SilentSunday or #DogsOfMastodon, which can help to increase posts you see and accounts to follow. You can probably see both a local feed for your server (which is a big one) and a federated feed, which is from all over. Scroll that a bit and follow individual accounts. You'll find your feed gets pretty active.

[curiousmagpie@beige.party]

@anxietynectarr check out @FediTips

[jztusk@mastodon.social]

@nancylwayne @anxietynectarr

Bingo. If you want more in your feed, do more following, of hashtags and other accounts. If you're new, just go add 30 hashtags - some specific, some general, some interests, some geographical.

You posted a drawing, maybe follow #art. When you see an account with a post you like, follow them. You can always unfollow later.

Plus bot accounts can be fun. Here's one I recently added: @Remedios_Varo_Bot

Have fun, and Welcome!

[jztusk@mastodon.social]

@david @anxietynectarr

Just a note that some of the huge servers have turned off their local feeds by default. I think the OP is on the same server as I am, and it's turned off here.

[rdp@hachyderm.io]

@anxietynectarr You're probably hearing this from other folks too, but don't overthink the instance thing. I hung out on the default .social for 5 years before I finally had a reason to jump to something else. You'll know when it's right.

[axolotl1@gaygeek.social]

@anxietynectarr okay so basically different instances have different rules and operate differently. Admins can control which instances and accounts have connections to theirs, preventing everyone on that instance from seeing the other one. You can also block an entire instance. Basically it's all spread out so it's literally impossible to buy fedi. Also you can have a backup of your account on your own computer and use that if you want to change instances or something.

[axolotl1@gaygeek.social]

@anxietynectarr you can also have multiple accounts on multiple instances if you want. There's literally nothing stopping you. @catsalad has an unknown number of accounts and I don't even think she knows how many alt accounts she has.

[axolotl1@gaygeek.social]

@anxietynectarr @catsalad also if you still don't get it you will understand eventually because you'll start seeing a lot of stuff related to it, then when you do get it you'll stop noticing it.

[wannabemystiker@expressional.social]

@anxietynectarr
Also, as you find some interesting people to follow, check who they are following.

[david@social.gamefan.net]

@3janeTA @anxietynectarr Or you can be like me and run your own and be all alone by yourself at least @picklebot loves me

[catsalad@infosec.exchange]

@Axolotl1 @anxietynectarr Welcome to the Fediverse! :3

[waitworry@sakurajima.moe]

@anxietynectarr honestly just hang out long enough and find people you mesh with and you'll become aware of instances where you'll fit in