Single-User instances on the Fediverse?

I've set up a couple of single-user instances of fediverse apps (Mastodon, Lemmy). With Lemmy, I can post/comment to any community/thread I want that is federated, but I can't seem to do that with Mastodon.

With that being the case, how does the content I post on Mastodon get shown to people on other instances (I know replying works differently). I feel like any top-level post I make on my instance is basically like shouting into the void, correct?

Also, if I were to set up a Pixelfed instance, would I have the same problem where my content doesn't get shown to anyone (except those that follow me?)

2 Comments

hazelnoot@beehaw.org · 3 pts · 3y (1 reply)

For single-user Mastodon instances, it really helps to become mutuals (you both follow each other) with some people on a few big instances. That will establish federation between your instance and theirs. Other things that can help are:

Interact (like, boost, reply) with interesting posts from another instance
Fill out your profile! That side of fedi tends to distrust blank profiles.
Write and sticky an introduction post, for the same reason as above.

jax@lemmy.cloudhub.social · 2 pts · 3y

Ah yeah I’ll have to fill out my profile and do an introduction post!