Ad-Free Instagram Rival Pixelfed Launches Official Mobile Apps

The decentralized photo-sharing platform gains traction after Meta blocks links and changes content moderation policies.

Pixelfed, a decentralized and ad-free alternative to Instagram, has released official mobile apps for iOS and Android.
The platform experienced a surge in user activity after Meta mistakenly blocked links to Pixelfed on Facebook, later claiming the action was an error.
Pixelfed operates as part of the Fediverse, allowing users to connect across decentralized platforms like Mastodon, and promises no ads or user tracking.
The launch of the apps comes as Instagram faces criticism over algorithm-driven feeds and Meta’s controversial changes to content moderation policies.
Pixelfed’s creator, Daniel Supernault, emphasizes user privacy and autonomy, rejecting venture capital funding and pledging to keep the platform ad-free.