I posted this on Jan 2 2020, and I think it’s a good time to repost it. With some small changes to make it 2026-compatible (“Xitter”).

Here’s a handy algorithm to the question “should I follow…” on the Fediverse.

  • Do I like the content? Or do I just like the idea of the account? Following a celebrity might give you a parasocial tingly feeling, but you’ll probably not find much value in the actual content (unless you value the messenger more than the message)?
  • Do they engage with their comments? Not just a “thanks” but thoughtful responses? If they don’t, you’re following a bot or a “social media team”, and you didn’t have to leave Xitter for that.
  • Do they boost things? The Fediverse has no algorithm, the user is the algorithm. Likes are dopamine snacks for the writer of something, boosts are what Xitter or Instashame or DumbTok use to drive presence and engagement. Good content deserves boosts, not likes, and if you see an account that does not boost things you might have found a soapbox, not a conversation.
  • Do they engage with things that do not have them in the chain? Meaning: do they actually read their feed? Boosts are one thing, but replies are a whole new and better approach. Replies not only surface other users, they also add value to the Fediverse way above and beyond own content. In a sense, Replies are own content, but again we’re looking at soap box vs conversation.

Follow things, that do not echo in your own chamber. Get comfortable with the idea, that often a radical question can lead to a moderate improvement. Subscribe to LGBTQIA+ content, even if you’re straight, Trans content even if you’re cis, vegan content even if you’re munching on a cheeseburger right now. Consider this, when following: does it expand my conversation, or does it solidify the walls of my echo chamber.

The Fediverse uses “ActivityPub” which does exactly what it says on the tin: gives you a way to publish your activity. And others a way to subscribe to that. Follow humans, not bots, not social media teams. Follow ideas and conversations, not soapboxes and slogans. Follow into unknown, uncharted, and sometimes slightly unnerving territory. You’ll probably find diamonds in those follows, if you’re open to it.