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Opt-in search of the Fediverse was just rolled out. Here it is:

tootfinder.ch/

Search has traditionally been very controversial on the Fediverse, but let's see how opt-in works.

Right now, this is a proof-of-concept and very bare bones -- but we'll see if it's embraced by everyone.

See screenshot.

@fediversenews

@atomicpoet @fediversenews I'm ok with my toots being searchable¹, but dividing the Fediverse into searchable and non-searchable parts seems like a bad idea.
And how long until someone decides we need an algorithm to sort results for popular searches?

¹ Mostly because I assume bad actors are indexing everything anyway.

@rigrig The problem is that a few very vocal folk don't want search. Opt-in is a compromise.

@fediversenews

@atomicpoet @rigrig @fediversenews so perhaps do a reverse: global search with an opt-out option for accounts or instances that don't want their toots be searchable?

@arnie_dxer @rigrig @fediversenews That's been tried, and inevitably, those search engines get fediblocked.

In fact, every 3 months, someone announces a new search engine just like that.

@atomicpoet @rigrig @fediversenews then I hope not all Masto admins are like that... 😕

Eventually I can imagine the whole Fediverse splitting into two over the search issue. Like Christians split to Catholics & Orthodox, and later also to Protestants LOL

@arnie_dxer @rigrig As I said, this is opt-in search like is the closest we've come to a community consensus.

Certain folks don't like that it exists, but even those folks can't be bothered to Fediblock it.

What's the argument against ? That I might accidentally add the magic word to my bio and then someone evil will submit my full username? Quite unlikely.

As it stands, you can find quite a bit via

@atomicpoet @arnie_dxer @rigrig

What is wrong with the normal full-text search currently implemented in #Mastodon? All of my #toots are opted-in for search engines?

Chris Trottier

@Stark9837 @arnie_dxer @rigrig Only if you’ve sent those toots or previously interacted with them.

Which is not how I’d prefer search to happen.

@atomicpoet @arnie_dxer @rigrig

I understand, I got it wrong. In that case, I agree!