Which Mastodon instance to join?

The first obstacle when you want to register on Mastodon is that this decentralized service is based on a system of servers (or instances). If it is possible to register on a random, it is still better to know beforehand where you put your feet. We help you.

When you register on Mastodon, you are not registering for a single service like elsewhere. We register on a server (thematic or not) established on Mastodon. This is why even before creating an account, the user is invited to choose an instance where to create his profile.

Which Mastodon instance to join?

1. The first obvious way to find a suitable server is to go to the list offered here (or there). It is possible to filter them by region and language (practical in particular to find servers in French), but also by type of legal structure (public body or private individual) and registration deadline (instantaneous or manual approval required). In addition, the left column also offers a filter by categories. Technology, activism, music, art, video games, food… there is most likely a server where users often talk about the same passion as you.

Once a server has been located, clicking on “Create an account” or “Request an account” will take you to the server’s page where more information and the rules to be followed are generally indicated there.

2. If you’re not interested in joining a thematic server, it’s up to you to choose whether you prefer to join a large, generalist server with lots of people, or something smaller and more user-friendly. However, pay attention to the rules that are applied there, as well as to the level of moderation. It all depends on the administrator(s), so practices on a server can change quickly.

Note also that some servers are closing their registrations for lack of space. The biggest server currently is mastodon.social, created by the founder of Mastodon himself. As of this writing, over 7,700 instances exist.

Finally, don’t neglect word of mouth and advice from people already on Mastodon. This is how, for example, yours truly discovered the Piaille.fr server. Efficient, correctly populated and quickly updated, the solution is for the moment irreproachable and more pleasant to use than mastodon.social.

Let’s not forget that it is possible, once a month, to change instances without losing your subscriptions and subscribers.