The open source newsletter platform, Ghost, which serves as an alternative to Substack, is exploring the possibility of connecting with the fediverse—a decentralized global network comprising various interconnected servers powered by different apps.
The fediverse is home to a range of applications including Mastodon, Pixelfed, and PeerTube, and has recently seen the likes of Instagram Threads join its ranks. John O’Nolan, the founder of Ghost, has expressed the platform’s interest in federating with the fediverse through the social networking protocol ActivityPub.
The growing demand among users has prompted Ghost to consider this feature. O’Nolan reached out to the community, seeking input on how they envision the integration of ActivityPub into Ghost and the potential personal benefits. Such consideration of community feedback underscores Ghost’s commitment to user-driven development. A survey is currently being conducted to gather user opinions and preferences, and participants are invited to share their insights.
This interest in federation comes amidst a global conversation about the importance of decentralized web experiences, especially in light of Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk and subsequent strategic changes. These changes include morphing the platform into a multifaceted application ‘X’, with a different ethical framework and ambitions.
The interest in federated networks has spiked as users seek more control over their social presence. Where dissatisfaction arises, users of federated services like Mastodon have the flexibility to relocate their profiles without losing their follower base.
Ghost’s federation could mean that content creators who use the platform would have their work accessible within the fediverse, allowing engagement through likes and replies directly from a user’s preferred app. Considerations include whether interactions within the fediverse could transition back to Ghost as comments on the original post.
This prospective move by Ghost is reminiscent of WordPress’s federation after it integrated an ActivityPub plugin, allowing WordPress blogs to engage with the fediverse community.
O’Nolan’s announcement of the potential federation garnered support from the fediverse community, with Mastodon CTO Renaud Chaput offering to assist with the ActivityPub integration, an offer which O’Nolan accepted.
The call for federation emerges against a backdrop where content moderation principles are causing division among users and platforms. Substack, recognized for its emphasis on free speech similar to Musk’s vision for ‘X’, has come under scrutiny for hosting controversial publications, leading to notable departures including that of Casey Newton, a prominent journalist.
Newton, among others, chose Ghost for its considered approach to platform moderation and content alignment, illustrating the platform’s growing appeal for writers seeking both freedom of expression and a respectful community.
Currently, Ghost boasts over 3 million installations, signaling its potential impact on the fediverse, which already has millions of active users. The addition of Ghost could contribute significantly to the diversity and richness of content within the fediverse, promoting a decentralized approach to content distribution and community engagement.
