The Fediverse Alternatives

People are learning that they shouldn't have all their content in one basket (or platform). I've been preaching this for a while now. But with the TikTok (weak-as-shit) ban happening and now not happening, people are not flocking to open, decentralized, and federated alternatives. They are flocking to another Chinese app Little Red Note. Why? Probably as an FU to the US government for the ban-saga going on with TikTok.

This make little sense. Little Red Note is censored by China, unlike TikTok, and can be banned in the USA just as easily.

You know what isn't easy to ban and is open, decentralized, and federated apps? Also known as the Fediverse (and the AT-verse). There is pretty much an app alternative for every centralized/corporate app out there.

Mastodon=Twitter
Bluesky=Twitter
Pixelfed=Instagram
Loops.Video=TikTok/Reels
Peertube=YouTube (et. al)

and so on!

I'm bitching about TikTok users flocking to another Chinese-controlled app (even more controlled than TikTok and not even translated from Mandarin!), but I am also seeing a big uptick in people trying out the Pixelfed instance I help administer (Pixey.org). The influx is heartening to see so many try out a federated app after using TikTok.

In the end, I don't think the TikTok ban will be enforced. Although, I do think people will spread their content out across multiple channels – finally. If you're looking for a closer alternative to TikTok, checkout the sister app to Pixelfed, Loops.Video.

I'm always open to give suggestions on how to best get on the decentralized social web. Just reach out and while you're at it, check out my Fediverse Resources site that I've been curating for the past year.

The Latest From The Entrepreneur's Enigma Podcast

Web Jawn

Europe orders Elon Musk’s X to submit documents on its recommendation algorithms | TechCrunch

The European Commission (EC) says it has requested information from Elon Musk’s X related to the algorithms that determine the content it recommends to

TechCrunchPaul Sawers

The European Union is always the first to go after big tech. Good on them.

Despite VCs investing $75B in Q4 , it’s still hard for startups to raise money, data proves | TechCrunch

After two years of relatively muted investment activity, it seems that VCs are starting to pour capital into startups at pandemic-era levels once again.

TechCrunchMarina Temkin

Getting into the startup realm and succeeding is next to impossible. Yet the draw for many to try is beyond alluring and worth the risk.

Mark Cuban is ready to fund a TikTok alternative built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol | TechCrunch

Entrepreneur and investor Mark Cuban is ready to fund a TikTok alternative built on Bluesky’s AT Protocol, he shared in a TikTok video posted on

TechCrunchSarah Perez

This could be cool. More options the better. Neat to see stuff other than Bluesky on the AT Protocol, too!

The Supreme Court ruled on TikTok — and nobody knows what comes next

There’s limited options for TikTok to keep operating in the US.

The Verge

By the time this issue comes out, we should know more.

I’m a teenager who quit social media — and I’ve never been happier

Without endless scrolling, there’s more time in the day.

Technically MediaElla Palmer

They do exist. ✌️😎😊

GoDaddy Donates $500K to Support WordPress Community

GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) just invested a half-million dollars in the WordPress community through a donation to The WP Community Collective , an initiative focused on funding and empowering WordPress contributors. This monetary support will be directed towards providing financial, operational and promotional support within the greater WordPress community. GoDaddy also recently launched a redesigned Managed WordPress Hosting platform, built with developers in mind. The WP Community Collective contribution by GoDaddy, the company that helps small businesses thrive, aims to strengthen open source communities by providing resources for designers, developers and other contributors who make the internet work. These efforts help to build the WordPress platform and provide individuals with the freedom to adapt and improve this open source software to suit their needs without limitations. “GoDaddy and its employees care deeply about the WordPress community and show it year in, year out in many

GoDaddy Inc. Logo

GoDaddy is supporting the WordPress community by donating $500k to The WP Community Collective. This is HUGE! Thank you GoDaddy!

The rebellion will be federated — Elena Rossini

This is how I plan to rebel against the tech barons and kleptocrats for the next 4 years: through activism, education and FLOSS

Elena RossiniElena Rossini

A great post by a great person on the Fediverse to follow!

RedNote may wall off “TikTok refugees” to prevent US influence on Chinese users

Rumors swirl that RedNote may segregate Chinese users as soon as next week.

Ars TechnicaAshley Belanger

Interesting turn.

TikTok refugees are pouring to Xiaohongshu. Here’s what you need to know about the RedNote app

A rare wave of U.S.-China camaraderie broke out online in recent days as “refugees” from the popular short video platform TikTok poured onto a Chinese social media platform to protest a now-delayed ban on the service

ABC NewsABC News

Craziness. Let's keep going to China for another app. Try an open one? Loops.Video anyone?

Xiaohongshu Scrambles to Hire English-Speaking Content Moderators

Job listings posted in China this week indicate that Xiaohongshu, also known as RedNote, is struggling to handle an influx of new users joining the platform from TikTok.

WIREDZeyi Yang

Seriously, can you imagine? All is going well and now you're like shit we need to see what these crazy Americans are posting. 😵‍💫

TikTok is partially back online in the US, but it’s not back in the App Store yet

Is TikTok working for you?

The Verge

Whiplash? My neck hurts. 😜😵‍💫

TikTok restoring services in US after Trump pledge

TikTok is resuming services to its 170 million users in US after President-elect Donald Trump said he would give the app a reprieve.

BBC News

Yep... still don't put all your eggs in one basket. Also, did TikTok sell it's "soul" to Trump? What does that mean for the service?

Google Causes Global SEO Tool Outages

Google is blocking search result scraping, causing global outages at rank and keyword tracking services

Search Engine JournalRoger Montti

Well this is fun! Time to figure out a work around for some of this.

Confirmed: Google Is Requiring JavaScript To Block SEO Tools

Google Search confirms it’s requiring JavaScript to block bots and scrapers, like SEO Tools

Search Engine JournalRoger Montti

Yep, the world of SEO is constantly evolving, day-by-day. Is SEO dead? Nope, just changing and still always interesting.

Instagram announces a blatant CapCut clone

“Edits” is currently available to preorder on iOS.

The Verge

Not surprised. Probably will garbage and miss the mark. CapCut is a good piece of technology. This is not surprising one bit. After Facebook, nothing Meta has made has been remarkable or original.

Bluesky’s 2024 moderation report shows how quickly harmful content grew as new users flocked in

Bluesky had to ramp up moderation to deal with an influx of about 23 million new users last year.

EngadgetCheyenne MacDonald

Not surprised. This is why having moderation helps! Looking at you Zuck!

Web Find

That's It For This Week! Keep Rocking It!

-Seth

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