Flipboard meets the Fediverse: A New Era of Content Aggregation

Flipboard meets the Fediverse: A New Era of Content Aggregation
Photo by Matthew Guay / Unsplash

In a significant move towards decentralization, Flipboard has integrated with the Fediverse, allowing users to follow and engage with content from platforms like Mastodon and Threads directly within the Flipboard app. This development marks a pivotal step in bridging traditional content aggregation with decentralized social media.

Flipboard's Federated Journey

Flipboard's integration with the Fediverse began in earnest in early 2023. By February, the company launched its own Mastodon instance, flipboard.social, providing a space for users to explore federated content. Subsequently, Flipboard expanded Mastodon support to its Android application, enabling users to access their Mastodon bookmarks and @mentions within the app.

By August 2024, Flipboard announced that users could follow federated Threads and Mastodon accounts, such as @POTUS (Until January 2024) and @MKBHD, and see all their posts on Flipboard. This integration allows users to engage with people on other social networks, expanding the types of content and conversations available within the Flipboard experience.

Enhancing Content Discovery

Flipboard's integration with the Fediverse has significantly enhanced content discovery. Users can now follow accounts from platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and Pixelfed directly within the Flipboard app. The app displays fediverse profiles through its search function and the Explore tab, featuring curated recommendations, including notable profiles such as Verge editor-in-chief Nilay Patel on Threads and Mike Masnick on Mastodon.

In April 2024, Flipboard federated 11,000 Magazines curated by 400 creators and enthusiasts, making their content available to anyone on federated social networks. This move not only broadened the reach of these curators but also allowed users to engage with their content directly from the Flipboard app.

The Surf App: A Browser for the Social Web

In December 2024, Flipboard introduced Surf, an app designed as a browser for the social web. Surf allows users to discover and explore various content feeds, including ActivityPub, AT Protocol feeds, and RSS. The app supports diverse media types such as videos, news, podcasts, and social posts, enabling users to create customized feeds. While Surf excels in aggregating content, it currently lacks full functionality as a social interaction tool beyond Mastodon.

Implications for the Fediverse

Flipboard's integration with the Fediverse represents a significant step towards a more open and decentralized internet. By allowing users to follow and engage with content from various federated platforms, Flipboard is breaking down the silos that have traditionally separated different social networks. This move not only enhances content discovery but also fosters a more interconnected and inclusive digital ecosystem.

Have you subscribed to one or multiple Flipboard magazines in the Fediverse? If not try it out and maybe remove your classical social media accounts as news sources. 📰

If you want to hear more from me you can find me in the Fediverse at @gelbphoenix@social.gelbphoenix.de (Mastodon) or @gelbphoenix@gram.social (Pixelfed).