Introduction To Lemmy
Oftentimes when I mention that I use the Lemmy Social Network or that have gotten information from it, people wonder what it is. Similar to Reddit, Lemmy is a self-hosted social link aggregation platform. The software is free and open-source and it is not controlled by any company. Lemmy is part of the Federated Universe or fediverse and as such is decentralized as compared to the centralized networks of Facebook and X. In addition there are no algorithms that restrict your content and it is not tracked. Like Mastodon, you sign in to a server, also called an instance, which then has communities and sub-communities within it. This is analogous to Reddits and sub-reddits.
What is Lemmy?
Lemmy is written in the Rust language and as stated above the content on each server is divided into communities, each of which can have their own sub-communities. Because it is a decentralized network, you can host your own server or join another already created. A lot of servers cater to niche interests allowing you to find the perfect forum in which to share and express your ideas. Like other Fediverse entities, each user is able to block content they do not like and subscribe to those that they do without somebody else or an algorithm choosing it for them.
Lemmy is a Part of the Fediverse
Lemmy is federated into the Fediverse, which means you can post content from other Federated programs, such as Mastodon, kbin, Frendica, Pixelfed, Firefish, etc. Being a part of the Fediverse allows users to search for other users and topics within and outside their server and outside of Lemmy. You can also write a post in Mastodon and post it on Lemmy and vice versa.
Why is it Important for Users?
- Privacy, Reslience, and Control over your data: Your information on is spread over several instances reducing the effects of a single point of failure. This way if one instance goes down or is hacked, other instances will continue to run.
- There is no anonymous person behind the curtain: Content rules and moderation policies are written by each individual server. As a result, decisions are made collectively allowing for more inclusion, diversity, participation, and buy in.
- The underlying code is open-source: The code for is transparent for all users. Users can change and scutinize the code and building trust in the overall platform.
- Customization: Since you can access the code and change it, you can create your own unique experience and build the online environment you like and desire. You have the freedom to innovate, to explore, or do whatever you want so long as it is legal.
How to Get Started Using Lemmy?
How to Find An Server (Instance)
When using a centralized social media such as Facebook, Instagram, or X, you just select a username and password and you are on the network. However, when dealing with fediverse entities, you have to select an instance. It is this step that I think a lot of users get stumped on or wonder what to do.
In my case, I signed up with an instance called Mander since I am interested in natural science subjects. Other instances revolve around politics, sports, cooking, and other subjects. A good place to find an instance is on Lemmyverse (actually called an instance here instead of server) — https://lemmyverse.net/. Again, like Mastodon, there is a general instance called Lemmy.World, which serves as a good start if you are unfamiliar with the platform.
Steps to Join an Instance
- Step 1: Sign up for a server (called a server on this site) by going to https://join-lemmy.org/.
- Step 2: Customize your profile and start exploring the communities on your server to see what you are interested in. If you do not find anything or see a knowledge gap within the instance, you can create your own community.
- Step 3: Interact with other users by posting content, sharing links, and engaging in a discussion. Vote on content that you like to allow it to be more prominently noticed by other users.
- Step 4: Once you get a feel for the freedom of this social network you will want to remain a part of a censorship-free and democractic experience.
