Mastodon, the decentralized social network with over 8 million accounts and nearly 700,000 monthly active users, is set to launch a new feature called Packs. This initiative aims to simplify the process for newcomers by offering curated collections of users to follow, addressing the common challenge of identifying relevant accounts upon joining a new platform.
Addressing the ‘Cold Start’ Challenge
When users join a new social network, they often face the cold start problem—uncertainty about whom to follow and which topics align with their interests. To mitigate this, Bluesky, another open social platform, introduced Starter Packs last year. These are user-curated collections that suggest accounts to follow based on specific topics or popular users. The success of this feature led Meta to implement a similar function in Instagram Threads late last year.
Mastodon’s Approach to ‘Packs’
Building on this concept, Mastodon plans to introduce Packs with distinct features emphasizing user control and transparency. Users will have the option to decide whether they appear in these Packs by adjusting their account settings. Specifically, by disabling the Feature profile and posts in discoverability algorithms setting, users can opt out of being included in any Pack.
Furthermore, Mastodon will notify users when they are added to a Pack, ensuring transparency. If a user wishes to remove themselves from a Pack, they can do so through a straightforward mechanism, similar to the process for removing posts from the recently launched Quote Posts feature. This approach contrasts with Bluesky’s method, where users had to report the Pack or block its creator to be removed.
Collaborative Development and Future Implementation
The development of the Packs feature is a collaborative effort between Mastodon gGmbH, the nonprofit behind Mastodon, and other developers within the fediverse. They are working on a Fediverse Enhancement Proposal (FEP), which is currently available on GitHub. The initial version of Packs, along with other onboarding improvements, is expected to be released in Mastodon version 4.6. As of now, Mastodon operates on version 4.4.5.
Enhancing User Experience and Platform Growth
The introduction of Packs is part of Mastodon’s broader strategy to enhance user experience and foster community growth. By simplifying the onboarding process and making it easier for users to find and connect with others who share their interests, Mastodon aims to create a more engaging and personalized social networking environment.
Conclusion
Mastodon’s upcoming Packs feature represents a significant step toward improving user onboarding and engagement. By learning from the successes of similar features on other platforms and prioritizing user control and transparency, Mastodon continues to evolve as a user-centric, decentralized social network.
