Have you ever wished for a social media platform that combines the best features of Lemmy and image boards with customizable feed algorithms? I know I have. Here's what my perfect social media platform would look like:
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A mix of Lemmy and image board: My ideal platform would allow users to post both text-based content and images, using tags instead of communities. With a view like Lemmy^1, and another grid-view like an image board^2.
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User curation: Unlike Lemmy, where images are difficult to find again due to the lack of tags , my ideal platform would have well-curated images with tags for easy searching^2.
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Advanced search could also be implemented, as suggested in the Lemmy issue #3788.
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User trust levels and community moderation: A hierarchical trust level system, similar to Discourse’s trust levels[^3], could distribute the responsibility among users and reduce the burden on admins. Trust levels would be assigned for each community based on user activity and voting affinity with the admin, allowing admins to shape their instance according to their preferences without micromanaging every aspect of the community. This idea is also discussed in the Lemmy issue #3548.
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Customizable feed algorithms: One of the best things about Lemmy is that users can choose their own algorithm for their home feed^1. My ideal platform would take this a step further by allowing users to customize their feed algorithms like in Bluesky[^4].
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Machine learning algorithms: To make the feed even more personalized, my ideal platform would use machine learning algorithms to suggest posts to users based on their activity on the platform[^5]. For example, if a user frequently upvotes posts about cats, the platform would suggest more cat-related posts to that user.
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One-size-fits-all image format: Image boards are known for their simple, one-size-fits-all image format^2. My ideal platform would adopt this format to make it easy for users to share images without worrying about formatting issues.
[^3]: Understanding Discourse Trust Levels [^4]: Bluesky custom feeds and algorithms [^5]: How to implement personalized feed ranking
Customizable feed algorithms: One of the best things about Lemmy is that users can choose their own algorithm for their home feed. My ideal platform would take this a step further by allowing users to customize their feed algorithms like in Bluesky.
Bluesky, a decentralized social media platform, has introduced a feature called "custom feeds" that allows users to choose their own algorithms[1][2][3]. This feature gives users the ability to subscribe to different algorithms or create their own algorithms for others to follow[1]. The goal is to provide users with more control over their social media experience and address concerns about algorithmic manipulation[1][2][3].
Currently, creating a custom feed on Bluesky requires some technical knowledge, but the platform plans to make it easier for users to create custom feeds in the future[1]. The ability to choose different algorithms for feeds gives users more ownership and control over the content they see[2]. This feature is seen as a defining aspect of Bluesky and aligns with its decentralized approach[2].
Bluesky's vision is to replace the traditional "master algorithm" controlled by a single company with an open and diverse "marketplace of algorithms"[3][4]. The platform aims to enable the developer community to bring new algorithms to users quickly and effortlessly[4]. By embracing third-party development and customizable feed generation, Bluesky seeks to empower users and provide transparency and control over algorithmic choices[4].
The custom feeds feature is available in the latest version of Bluesky's mobile apps and web client, but the platform is currently invite-only[3]. Users can try this feature if they already have an account or receive an invite code[3].
Overall, Bluesky's custom feeds with user-customizable algorithms offer a unique approach to social media and aim to give users more control and transparency in their online experiences[1][2][3][4].
Citations: [1] https://www.engadget.com/bluesky-now-lets-you-choose-your-own-algorithm-183824105.html [2] https://www.wired.com/story/bluesky-my-feeds-custom-algorithms/ [3] https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/26/23739174/bluesky-custom-feeds-algorithms-twitter-alternative [4] https://blueskyweb.xyz/blog/3-30-2023-algorithmic-choice [5] https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/28/as-threads-soars-twitter-rival-bluesky-adopts-a-new-personalized-algorithmic-feed/ [6] https://9to5mac.com/2023/05/26/bluesky-feeds-custom-algorithms/