Flipboard's 'social websites' are a new spin on decentralized social media
Flipboard has been one of the biggest boosters of decentralized social media . Now, the company, which is known for its social news reading app, is rolling out its latest experiment, "social websites." The project offers publishers and creators an easier path into what's often called the "open social web," which includes the fediverse, as well as other protocol-based platforms like Blueksy. The company says it could also help creators of all stripes wrest back control of their audiences from mainstream social media platforms and other "walled gardens." In practice, social websites are essentially microsites that allow creators and publishers to bring together posts from decentralized platforms and RSS feeds into a single place where people can browse blogposts, newsletters, podcast episodes alongside relevant commentary from Bluesky, Mastodon and other federated services. It's also the first web-based offshoot of Surf, Flipboard's reader app designed for the open social web. The company has already teamed up with a handful of publishers and creators who have made their own "social websites" on top of Surf. For example, Rolling Stone created a dedicated site for its political coverage , which features posts from its writers alongside news stories. Creator David Rushing created a site called " All Net " inspired by the NBA fan community on Threads. All Net features Bluesky, Threads and Mastodon posts, alongside clips from NBA podcasters and creators on YouTube. Fans can not just follow along the feeds of these social websites, but can join in the conversation around
Flipboard, the company renowned for its social news reading app, is making waves with its latest innovation, "social websites." This new project aims to provide publishers and creators with a more accessible path into the "open social web," encompassing the fediverse and other protocol-based platforms like Bluesky. The company's vision is to empower creators to regain control of their audiences from mainstream social media platforms and the restrictive "walled gardens" they often reside in.
In essence, social websites are microsites that enable creators and publishers to compile posts from decentralized platforms and RSS feeds into a unified space. Here, users can browse through blog posts, newsletters, podcast episodes, and relevant commentary from Bluesky, Mastodon, and other federated services. This initiative marks the first web-based iteration of Surf, Flipboard's reader app specifically designed for the open social web.
Flipboard has already collaborated with several publishers and creators who have launched their own "social websites" on the Surf platform. For instance, Rolling Stone has created a dedicated site for its political coverage, integrating posts from its writers alongside news stories. Similarly, creator David Rushing launched a site called "All Net," inspired by the NBA fan community on Threads. "All Net" features Bluesky, Threads, and Mastodon posts, alongside clips from NBA podcasters and creators on YouTube.
What sets these social websites apart is not only the aggregation of content but also the opportunity for users to engage in conversations around the posts from disparate platforms within a single, cohesive space. This feature fosters a more connected and interactive user experience.
Flipboard CEO Mike McCue explained to Engadget, "The social web is really promising and really awesome, but it is kind of complex and it's hard to use." The company's mission is to simplify this process, making it possible for anyone to create a community in just 15 minutes. By offering a user-friendly interface and streamlined integration of content from various platforms, Flipboard's social websites aim to democratize the open social web and empower creators to thrive outside the confines of traditional social media platforms.
As the project continues to evolve, Flipboard's social websites have the potential to reshape the landscape of decentralized social media. By providing a seamless and accessible entry point into the open social web, the initiative could encourage more creators and publishers to embrace this alternative ecosystem, fostering a more diverse and vibrant digital landscape.
