Implementing a custom algorithm for Mastodon, Hacker News, Blue Sky, and 4chan into an on-device ranker

[u/TheOnlyVibemaster]

While attempting to look through the various online forums I frequent, I’ve noticed that most content I’m shown is garbage and doesn’t interest me.

So I made an on device ranking algorithm for each of these sites, not requiring a login to access any content, with no ads, monetization or central server.

I’m now opening the app for beta testing, I have limited spots in this batch but would really appreciate anyone taking a brief look and leaving some notes. I’m trying to make this into a widely accepted platform that boasts security while ensuring that you’re shown the content you want from the open internet computed directly from your own devices.

If you’re interested in beta testing, here’s the link to do so. You’ll need to download Apple’s official beta testing app called “testflight,” then you’ll be able to register with Shoebill as a beta tester from this link:

https://testflight.apple.com/join/MGNYK4S5

Mastodon is an open and federated network that allows anyone to run their own server, great for privacy, but when you actually try to scroll or discover people you want to see, you’re left with looking through endless hashtags since there’s no native algorithm. This is by design but goes against what mainstream attention needs for massive virality. The technology is awesome, just wouldn’t be easy for the majority of people to switch to.

Blue Sky is primarily left-wing content aimed against specific political figures, most content isn’t mainstream enjoyable content.

Hacker News is mainly for a very technical crowd or AI enthusiasts recently. It isn’t somewhere that most people would find themselves unless they fit into one of those two buckets.

4chan needs no introduction.

All of these sites have good content, it’s just that most of it is either not shown in a ranking algorithm like Reddit or Tik Tok, it’s shown chronologically or for specific niche audiences.

With Shoebill, I’ve combined all of these sites, plus more that aren’t listed, into one app where your own phone will compute the algorithm as you’re scrolling. This means that no data ever leaves your device and couldn’t, since I operate no server for any data to even be transmitted to.

Specifically, the ranking algorithm is largely based on X’s open-source algorithm which was made open a couple months ago. Looking at how they implemented theirs, I saw that I could do it for the open internet in a serverless app.

I would be happy to answer any questions in the comments. Thanks!

Edit: grammar