Substack Competitor Ghost Joins the Fediverse: A New Era for Content Creators!
Ghost, an innovative open-source newsletter platform, has taken a significant step by integrating with the fediverse, also recognized as the open social web. This integration utilizes the ActivityPub protocol, which connects various federated applications like Mastodon, Pixelfed, and Threads, enabling seamless interaction across different platforms. This advancement allows Ghost publishers to share their blog posts with a broader audience, enhancing their reach and community engagement.
What is the Ghost and Fediverse Integration?
Ghost announced its plans for ActivityPub integration last year, aiming to empower its publishers to connect with the expansive open social web. Although the launch was initially planned for 2022, the company has recently rolled out a beta version of this feature for users on the Ghost Pro subscription.
Key Features of the Ghost Social Web Beta
- Connecting to the Fediverse: Ghost Pro users can link their blogs to the fediverse, allowing others to follow their publications using a unique handle format: @index@yoursite.com.
- Customizable Handles: Soon, users will have the ability to customize the @index portion of their handles.
- Engagement Opportunities: Followers can interact with posts through likes, replies, and reposts.
Enhanced Reading Experience with Ghost’s Social Web Reader
To aid Ghost publishers in building their readership, the company has introduced a social web reader. This feature allows users to explore a feed of short-form content shared across the fediverse, including posts from popular platforms like Mastodon and Threads.
Inbox for Long-Form Content
In addition to the social web reader, Ghost offers an Inbox feature where users can keep track of long-form content, such as articles published on Ghost or WordPress. This setup is akin to an email inbox, where new articles from followed publications will appear.
Notifications and Customization
Ghost’s integration includes a Notifications section to keep users updated on interactions such as follows, replies, likes, and reposts. Furthermore, users can personalize their profiles to showcase their social web account, follower statistics, and content, both short- and long-form.
Future Developments and Features
Ghost plans to enhance the integration of users’ social web profiles with Ghost memberships in future updates. Upcoming features will include tools for blocking, reporting, and muting users, as well as adding images or media to notes and replies.
Compatibility Considerations
While the Ghost Reader is a valuable tool, there are some compatibility challenges, particularly with Meta’s Threads. Although Ghost users can find Threads profiles, interactions are currently blocked due to restrictions on Threads’ side. Ghost encourages users to reach out to Instagram head Adam Mosseri for potential resolutions.
How to Access the Ghost Social Web Beta
Pro subscribers interested in trying out the Ghost social web beta can easily enable it by navigating to the Ghost Admin and selecting Settings > Labs.
Today, Ghost is trusted by several prominent publications, including Casey Newton’s Platformer, 404 Media, and David Sirota’s The Lever, among others, showcasing its growing influence in the publishing landscape.
For more information on Ghost and its features, visit the official Ghost website.
