Mastodon Starter Guide

Join an Existing Instance (Recommended for individuals)

Step 1: Pick a Canadian Instance

An instance is just the server where your account lives. You can talk to anyone on any instance - this just determines where your data is stored and the type of moderation to expect.

View our list of Canadian instances →

Not sure which to pick? mstdn.ca is the largest Canadian instance and a safe default.

Step 2: Sign Up

Visit your chosen instance and click "Create Account" or "Sign Up."

Some instances require approval. This usually takes a few hours.

Step 3: Set Up Your Profile

• Add a profile photo (use your official headshot)
• Write a short bio (name, role, riding/region)
• Add a link to your official website

Step 4: Verify Yourself

This is how people know it's really you. Add your Mastodon link to your official website, and Mastodon will show a green checkmark next to that link on your profile.

How to verify your account →

Step 5: Post Your First Message

You're in. Say hello, introduce yourself! Since hashtags travel everywhere, use the hashtag #Introduction for your first post is tradition - the community will welcome you.

Additional Tips & Tools:

• Visit Feditips for helpful advice on using Mastodon
• Download the Mastodon mobile app for Apple or Android

Step 6: Follow Some Accounts & Hashtags

Your feed starts empty because you don't start with any follows. Since Mastodon lacks an algorithm, you have to build your own timeline with content that you actually want to see.

Search around for some hashtags that interest you, as these are global and travel across instances.

Try out our follow list builder tool to create an importable list of Canadians to follow based on topics, locations, languages, and more!

Run Your Own Instance (Recommended for political parties, government offices, and organizations)

Want your own server at @yourname@yourparty.ca? This gives you complete control - your domain, your rules, your data.

Why run your own instance?

• Full control over your presence (no one can ban you or change the rules)
• Branded handles (e.g. @myname@mydomain.ca instead of @myname@mstdn.ca)
• Your team all on one server
• Complete ownership of your data

The easy way: Managed hosting

You don't need to be technical. We recommend FediHost - a Canadian company based in Montreal that handles everything for you.

• Canadian servers, Canadian support
• They set it up, they maintain it, they handle updates
• You just use it

Get started with FediHost →

The DIY way

If you have technical staff and want full control, you can self-host. You'll need:

• A domain name
• A VPS (server)
• An email provider
• Time and Linux knowledge

Mastodon's official installation guide →

You're Ready

That's it. Whether you join an existing instance or run your own, you're now part of a growing network of Canadians taking ownership of their digital communications.

No algorithm, no billionaire, no data harvesting. Just you and your community.

Next steps:

• Follow @ElbowsUpForDigitalSovereignty for updates
• Check out who's already on Mastodon
• Questions? Reach out - we're happy to help

Welcome to the Fediverse. 🍁