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 Matrix)
- 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 (Akkoma, Misskey, Mastodon, …)
- Must have open registrations (invite-only or manual approval okay)
- Shouldn’t be a single user instance
- You actively moderate against racism, sexism, homophobia etc. on your instance
Instance list
| Instance | Description | Moderation policies | Special kinks | Instance banner/logo/admin icon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |  |
| 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. |  |
| 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 Akkoma instance. Very friendly community. |  |
| 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 |  |
| ambrosia.moe | relaxed iceshrimp space for people who are fruity and sweet | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Iceshrimp instance, queer-owned, very friendly community |  |
| 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 |  |
| eepy.moe | A Sharkey instance for the eepiest of eepy beings. Registrations are more-or-less open upon request. | Blocks known bad actors, don’t be stupid, tag your stuff etc. | Sharkey instance for sleepy people. Friendly community, with a custom theme and a lot of eepiness |  |
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 @[email protected].