Fast rising social media platform and Twitter alternative, Mastodon, has rolled out its highly anticipated upgrade, Mastodon 4.2.0. This update brings an array of new features and improvements, enhancing the user experience.
One of the highlights of this upgrade is the addition of an opt-in search functionality for posts, allowing users to easily find specific content. Mastodon 4.2.0 also introduces a refined set of privacy options, letting users decide if they want their content to be indexed for broader discovery.
In a statement, Mastodon founder Eugen Rochko highlights critical security updates that have been deployed in their bid to prioritize the safety and security of the Mastodon community. He also announced efforts in helping users distinguish results they are looking for from impersonators or third-party bots with verified links prominently appearing in the search results.
For new users, Mastodon has tried to make onboarding a lot easier after finding out that people lose their way when signing up to the platform for the first time.
Rocko says, “By far the biggest changes are to the sign-up flow and what users see the first time they login after sign-up. Upon login, you are pointed to recommended first steps that include filling our your profile, following people, making your first post, and sharing your profile outside Mastodon.”
These new features could attract new users to Mastodon, especially those who are looking for a more decentralized and open alternative to X or Twitter.
Last week’s streamed conversation between X CEO, Elon Musk and Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu about antisemitism on X and Musk’s response could also lead some users to switch to Mastodon.
“We are moving to having a small monthly payment for use of the X system,” Musk said, adding, “It’s the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots… because a bot costs a fraction of a penny… call it a tenth of a penny, but even if it has to pay… a few dollars or something, the effective cost of bots is very high.”
Musk’s plan to charge a “small fee” for Twitter could also lead some users to switch to Mastodon, as it remains a free platform.
However, Mastodon still has a lot of ground to cover in terms of popularity and reach.
