Hard Fork Can We Build a Better Social Network?
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Jan 13, 2026 
PJ Vogt, host of the Search Engine podcast, dives into the Fediverse experiment, exploring a fresh approach to social media. He discusses the promise of federated platforms that encourage positive interactions over rage-baiting. Vogt details the process of launching their own Mastodon server, sharing technical insights and first impressions. The conversation includes debates on nostalgia versus innovation in social media, and the importance of portability in user experiences. Join them as they open the doors to their new community!
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Fediverse Offers Open, Portable Social Web
- The Fediverse is an open, federated alternative to siloed social platforms that lets users follow accounts across servers.
- It promises portability and community-specific rules so no single mogul controls your audience.
Design Rules To Shape Community Behavior
- If you want a healthier online community, design rules and guardrails intentionally and cultivate a vibe.
- Use moderation policies and community norms to steer behavior rather than defaulting to addictive algorithms.
Link To Rich Content To Attract Users
- Connect your server to interesting content sources to make it compelling beyond just having nicer people.
- Federate with publications and other servers to surface valuable, non-algorithmic content.