this post was submitted on 21 May 2025
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An EXTREMELY Simple Guide to Mastodon (www.staygrounded.online)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
 

I think this is the way we should communicate, when presented with the question on how to get on Mastodon:

Copy paste from the link:

How do I use Mastodon?

  • Download the Mastodon app from the Apple app store or Play store.

  • Create an account (just like Twitter or any other social media)

  • Follow people, and get posting.

Why do tech journalists say it’s too confusing to catch on?

I have no fucking idea.

EDIT for clarification, don't take this too seriously:

This “guide” is a bit of a joke made out of frustration. If you actually want to know more, including why I feel it has potential to free us from the dystopian hellscape that is modern social media, here is the “real” guide to Mastodon. It still uses simple language (and has lots of pictures!):

Please share widely

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[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

When using the official Mastodon app (as suggested in the guide) "instances" are not a factor at all (unless the user specifically goes out of their way). A new user could have never even heard of the term "instance" and the above steps would work fine.

You don’t just download the app, create an account, and go.

Actually with Mastodon this is literally how it works.

EDIT: I should say this is how it works now, it didn't always used to be this way. The official Mastodon app used to ask the user to pick an instance, but for a number of years now it defaults every new account to mastodon.social unless they opt out. There was a big brouhah about centralization but the Mastodon devs felt it made for easier on boarding.