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Ghost Platform Embraces Fediverse Connectivity
In a significant development this week, the newsletter platform Ghost has activated its connectivity to the fediverse, enabling bloggers to disseminate their content across various social media platforms that utilize the open ActivityPub protocol. Initially slated for a 2024 rollout, this feature is now in beta testing exclusively for Ghost(Pro) users, as highlighted by reports from TechCrunch.
Enhancing User Interaction Across Platforms
The integration of ActivityPub allows users on platforms such as Mastodon, Pixelfed, and Threads to follow Ghost writers who subscribe to the “Pro” plan. This cross-platform functionality enables social media users to engage with content by commenting on posts, irrespective of the application they are using. This level of interaction is particularly noteworthy as it distinguishes Ghost from its primary competitor, Substack, which often restricts users from sharing their content externally. Substack’s limitations can create hurdles for users looking to navigate away from the platform, as reported in various analyses. In contrast, Ghost promotes the freedom of its users by permitting direct publishing to the fediverse.
Innovative Features for Users
In addition to the cleared pathways for content sharing, Ghost also provides an “Inbox” feature, where subscribers can receive updates on news articles and blogs from both Ghost and WordPress. Furthermore, Ghost has developed a social web reader tool that can aggregate posts from compatible social media sources. This software not only alerts users about interactions with their content—such as likes, comments, and shares—but also offers customization options for public profiles. However, it is important to note that the integration is not flawless; for instance, Ghost users currently face limitations when it comes to direct interactions with users on Meta’s Threads platform.
Getting Started with ActivityPub
For those interested in utilizing this new functionality, Ghost(Pro) users can enable the ActivityPub feature easily by navigating to Ghost Admin > Settings > Labs.
Source
www.theverge.com