This is a list of instances I will recommend and meet all my requirements to be a good and welcoming space while having common sense.
Requirements to be listed
- Your instance is older than six months (can’t be checked that easily, so I just take when the domain for the instance has been registered)
- You don’t block too many instances so that it makes it harder for your users to communicate
- Either you openly publish your blocklist or tell me who you blocked. Again, I want people to communicate.
- The admins are easily reachable and users can come to them whenever they have a problem and get on-point answers to their problems. A user forum would be nice, but not necessary.
- You are 100% sure your instance will live on for a long period of time
- Regular backups of user data or any other data safety measures
- GDPR compliant (e.g. no Google Analytics and allowing users to request or delete their data, hosting preferably EU-based)
- Transport layer security (TLS) so packets are safe and sound when being in transit (this doesn’t mean admins or law enforcement are not permitted to read your messages, if you want safe communication use an encrypted messaging service like Signal)
- You guarantee a certain amount of uptime (ideally >90%)
- Your instance shouldn’t be too generalist that it’d look plain and boring (mastodon.social and mstdn.io you are sadly out of luck here)
- Your instance should have less than 50k users so they are spread out evenly (who’s gonna pay for all that bandwidth)
- Your instance should stand out from the mass (theme it, add mods..whatever you feel like)
- Data mining is a big no-no which also includes selling user data to Facebook. Stop it, it’s disgusting. This is why we are on the fediverse.
- Your instance can run any software (Pleroma, Misskey, Mastodon, …)
- Must have open registrations (invite-only or manual approval okay)
- Shouldn’t be a single user instance
Instance list
| Instance | Description | Moderation policies | Special kinks | Instance banner/logo/admin icon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fedi.absturztau.be | Pleroma: An efficient and flexible fediverse server | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Generalist Pleroma instance with cat ears and other fun custom mods |
|
| cdrom.tokyo | Floppy outdated | Doesn't block anything, don't be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | The answer to floppy.tokyo. Pleroma instance with custom Vaporwave-styled theme. |
|
| raru.re | A cool community, I guess. | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Mastodon instance by the owner of niu.moe. Tries to bring back all the old niu memories. Also with custom theme. |
|
| koyu.space | We host free internet services for you and your friends | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Mastodon instance with custom theme. Queer-owned, hosted in Germany and using green energy. |
|
| qoto.org | QOTO: Question Others to Teach Ourselves. A STEM-oriented instance. | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | STEM-oriented instance with own custom mods and themes. Also perfect for writers, because of the character limit (65535). |
|
| ieji.de | ieji is romaji for 家(house)路(street), together it means “the way home / a home / homeland” | Doesn't block anything, don't be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Generalist Mastodon instance from Germany. Uses FOSS whenever possible. Can be accessed via Tor. |
|
| social.tchncs.de | One of the first Mastodon instances, there is no specific topic we’re into, just enjoy your time! | Blocks Gab and other known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Big generalist instance from Germany. One of the first few Mastodon instances. |
|
| cybre.space | ｃｙｂｒｅｓｐａｃｅ: the social hub of the information superhighway | Probably blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Glitchy-hackery instance style. Can also count themselves to the “first few” |
|
| blob.cat | blob.cat, an instance for blobcats (blobfoxes are ok too) | Blocks instances that do active harm to their users, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff, etc. | Blobcat-themed Pleroma instance. Very friendly community. |
|
| misskey.biribiri.dev | The network of 10k Misaka clones! Now powered by Misskey. | Doesn't block anything | A Misskey instance which is home for Misaka clones! |
|
| chinwag.org | The happiest place on the internet | Don't be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Green Oxford-styled pub Mastodon instance |
|
| berserker.town | A berserker's gateway to the Mastodon social network. Run by a Norwegian, with servers in Finland. | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Nordic generalist instance |
|
| disqordia.space | Disqordia dot space is a queer, leftist, and anti-fascist fediverse instance run by a small collective of queer and trans users. | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Akkoma and Misskey instances in a very vibrant purple theme. Nice people over there as well. |
|
| snowdin.town | a comfy chill akkoma instance | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Undertale-themed Pleroma instance, queer- and leftist run |
|
| im-in.space | A generalist Mastodon instance with a nice domain name. Running on Glitch Social's fork with a custom theme! | Blocks Gab and other known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Portal-themed Glitch-soc instance with custom theme and spaaaaceee |
|
I will probably add more instances to this list. If you know more instances that meet the above requirements and should be listed let me know at @koyu@koyu.space.