Mastodon, the open-source, decentralized social media alternative to X (formerly Twitter), is introducing an innovative feature designed to attract journalists and writers. Starting Tuesday, Mastodon is rolling out clickable author bylines on link posts, making it easier for users to connect directly with writers on the fediverse. This feature aims to boost journalists’ visibility and follower counts by linking their profiles to their published work.
Unlike the standard @username references often seen on link posts from news outlets, Mastodon’s new bylines provide a richer context. Each link post will feature the publication’s headline and image, followed by the author’s profile photo and name. This enhancement offers a more engaging way for users to discover and follow journalists.
Initial Rollout and Accessibility
The feature is initially available to select news publishers, including The Verge, MacStories, and MacRumors, with TechCrunch also in line for the update. To access these bylines, users must be on the main Mastodon server at mastodon.social, either via the web or the official mobile app. Other Mastodon servers will need to support the latest nightly release for the feature to function, and it will only be enabled for moderator-approved websites.
API Support and Technical Implementation
Mastodon has also extended support for this feature through its API, allowing third-party apps to integrate the new bylines. The feature’s backend is driven by a new OpenGraph tag, simplifying its integration into websites. This tag resembles those used to generate thumbnail previews on social platforms like iMessage, Discord, and Mastodon itself.
The tag format is: <meta name=”fediverse:creator” content=”@Gargron@mastodon.social” />. This line of code can be easily added to any website, linking to a fediverse account. Notably, the tag can point to various fediverse platforms such as Flipboard, Threads, WordPress (with the ActivityPub plugin), PeerTube, and Pixelfed, even without the leading at-symbol (@) for the handle.
Future Enhancements and Industry Impact
Currently, the feature does not support multiple authors for co-authored articles, displaying only the first author’s byline. However, Mastodon plans to address this limitation in future updates. Additionally, Mastodon intends to propose a specification draft for other ActivityPub platforms in the coming weeks, promoting broader adoption across the fediverse.
With over 10 million users on the fediverse and 804,000 monthly active users on Mastodon, this new feature could significantly enhance journalists’ presence on the platform. By making it easier for readers to find and follow authors, Mastodon hopes to become a more attractive hub for news and information, fostering greater engagement and community growth.
Mastodon’s new byline feature is poised to revolutionize how journalists interact with their audience on decentralized platforms. By offering more accessible and engaging connections between writers and readers, Mastodon is setting a new standard for social media in the digital age.
