This Post is to reveal my plan on 'IndiWebifying' this website which is hosted on blogger.
For those who don't know
Indie means Independent and Independent + web = IndieWeb which in full = Independent Web
The IndieWeb is a movement started by web enthusiasts and developers to give individuals more control over their online presence and data.
Its purpose is to enable people to own their content by hosting it on their own websites instead of relying on centralized social media platforms.
By using tools like Webmentions and microformats, Indie Web users can interact with each other in a decentralized manner, sharing updates, comments, and likes across their personal domains.
This approach promotes privacy, freedom, and control over one's online identity.
In all just see it as a social media without a social media platform. Users interact with their websites with they have control of.
This movement tries to eliminate the dark patterns of tracking, manipulative algorithmic feeds, and surveillance capitalism with social site have put in place.
I'm not the only one saying this.. I'm sure I read that somewhere and I'd reference later.
But seriously, those are just part of the insecurities I get from social platforms and other publishing platforms. ads and push feed are the worst noise.
It feels like these mainstream platforms are doing everything in their power to keep us locked in. They act as if they own the web, and we’re just users at their mercy. They’ve built a system where we’re tied to their rules, algorithms, and business models.
Take the blue app, for example. They've gamified the entire experience to squeeze out more ad revenue and increase their profits. To be fair, I understand the complexity of running such massive platforms, but it bothers me that I don’t have the freedom to say “No” when things don’t sit right. This is where the IndieWeb resonates with me—it gives back the control and freedom I crave.
Imagine the app dictating what and when I should post because *they* need my content. Worse, they control whether my posts stay up or get buried. Now, with the algorithms running the show, they cleverly push content behind paywalls, so you're forced to run ads to get seen.
And even though I follow no one, my feed is never empty—ads always find their way in. It’s not just that, though. The way these ads track my every move is unsettling. They know exactly what I’ll click on, and it feels invasive.
The real kicker? Most of these ads are either clickbait, misleading, or making false claims. It’s not just Facebook—Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms are the same. They’ve all become their own walled gardens, each keeping users locked in. Tumblr is joining the gang too
It would be revolutionary if I could chat with a friend on Facebook while using Twitter or Instagram, but no—each platform cages you in. Oh yes that is how the fediverse operates ( - -' ) This post will pass on that topic.
Social media has transformed into a full-fledged business, and its structure is now more about profit than genuine connection. However, the platforms aren't the only issue. what happens on them is even worse. Misinformation, false claims, and an endless cycle of competing with algorithms. I was once an algorithm slave. Yes it was all working out well ... I achieved a small feat sixty million engagements only for everthing to be hijacked, I got kicked out of the platform. 🥴 It was a Ctrl + del with no way to Ctrl + Z at least I got to Ctrl+S and saw the hell of information these guys took without my knowledge.
Mxm Things are sure more interesting on social media. There are a lot of advantages to it than the dismerit points I laid down. Even the indieweb and fediverse seem to be on the same likeness with it but with a purer heart. They also have their own problems but the pure hearted objective makes it different.
Mxm this is how the indieweb works
Like now, you have your own website, "yourname.com," and that is where you post blogs, photos, and updates.
Instead of sharing these directly on social media, you publish them on your site. Using Indie Web tools, when you write a new blog post, your website can send a notification (Webmention) to another Indie Web user's site you referenced, like "anotherfriendsite.com." They can see your post, like it, or comment on it, all from their own website.
This way, you both maintain control over your content while still interacting online, independent of platforms like Facebook or Twitter.
If I continue to talk about how cool the idea is This post will be filled and I won't have time for my reveal.
Dig more info yourself
Indieweb.org on Wikipedia or read this Post from a guy called Ben - It totally got me to hop on this year.
Allow Me Continue with My Reveal
I first stumbled upon this idea in 2020 when I saw the Indie Webring on a blog and discovered other sites in the loop. Since then, I've always had it in the back of my mind.
I remember I have once read Derek Sivers' post about the Independent Web, and in 2021 I found Victoria Dev's blog post on same tech Independence topic . Since then, I have been seeing and visiting website of same direction.
Then I came across the term the indie web and indieweb.org
At that time my knowledge about implementing it was still very shallow and I didn't even have a persona l site then. I was elsewhere trying different blog publishing platforms and website makers.
I also remember reading Matthias Ott post about having a personal website verse. It was very helpful and still relevant.
Added: September 23, 2024
The IndieWeb, for me, represents the freedom to create and control my content without being tied to a platform’s whims. But I’m not ignoring the fact that the IndieWeb feel alienating to me at first, especially with all the technical aspects I mentioned above —like IndieAuth, Webmentions, Microformats, and more. It’s a lot to take in, and not everyone wants to dive into that.
As Shellshark mentioned, it’s important to focus on what truly matters: being independent online, owning your content, and being in control.
I agree—having your own website as your identity and presence on the web is what the IndieWeb stands for. I am not abandoning social media entirely, but the key is owning my content.
That said, there’s still a long way to go in making the IndieWeb accessible for everyone. With all the tech behind it, it can feel like it’s only for developers. But tools like brid.gy, webmention.io, indiewebify.me are built it bridge the gap and the WordPress IndieWeb plugins and platforms like Micro.blog make it easier for even non-techies to join in.
Still, there are barriers, like buying a domain, setting up DNS, and paying for hosting. Not everyone has the know-how or resources to do all this. Here in Nigeria, the beauty of social media is its simplicity—you just sign up, log in, and connect. No need for technical expertise.
At the end of the day, social media does have its advantages. But the problem is how corporate it’s become—driven by capitalism and profit. That’s something the Fediverse tries to counteract (though I said I wouldn’t bring that up). I’m not here to debate anything, but I just want to make it clear: I'm embracing the IndieWeb.
At mid 2023 I acquired this domain and hosted it on Blogger for free and it meets my needs for now.
Blogger doesn't feel like it but I hope to integrate it with the indieweb tech and principles that will make me not miss social media.
At first I had thought a blogger site won't be be counted and considered as an indie since it a corporate publishing platform owned by Google and does not give total independence because IndieWeb means
✔️ Your content is yours
✔️ You are better connected
✔️ You are in control
Derek and Victoria posts talked about it that way too so I wasnt sure
Because on blogger I also don't have access to any server side or backend stuff which means I'm not fully in control.
Eish the doubt as been cleared. IndieWeb.org recognizes and accepts Blogger as a valid platform.
Blogger is listed on on Indieweb.org as a service that supports the IndieWeb.
hehe wordpress.com is also listed valid 👀 WordPress just had to be there I'm not jealous and no grudges 🤥
I guess an indieweb site can be created with most website makers i've tried until now
MXM back to the post. I'm not a full alien to coding - I'll manage with blogger - ultimately because it remains free with no hosting and storage limit and I backup everything on the site every week; no worries, I press on.
I'll be using the guide from indiewebify.me and also testing my progress there.
According to the site, there are three levels to get to to be fully IndiWebified.
I’m automatically at level one since I have my site on my personal domain, and the Indie Web recognizes and accepts Blogger as a valid platform.
I didn't realize oh yeah Im' indie already 🥴. yeepee! Now I can join the indiewebring .
All you need to join the Indie webring is a website to get started. I have my website and Joining the Indie Webring marks the beginning of a journey I plan to build on.
To continue and complete this journey I'm following the guide of Indiefy.me till I get to level 3 hopefully.
There is a tutorial to set up an indie website on blogger but the Greg McVerry tutorial referenced there leads to a #500 page and I was not able to view it. I had to view it from the Internet Archive. It is still helpful to me; I know have a good understanding on how to implement but as it looks It will lead nowhere pass level 2.
To be fully indie-fied, I will have to get it done myself which looks like a simple thing to do because I will be depending on external services. I need to set up my blogger site for microformat2, install Webmention, and connect to other social sites, the Fediverse, and other social sites.
I still don't think with blogger I fully can achieve Derek sivers and victoria's definition of tech independence but I'm looking forward to it. I hope to document my workaround.
And I don't know I might even leave Blogger eventually, but for now, I have 90% control over my site there, I guess 🤷🏾♂️ and that’s a good start.
Why I'm Choosing the IndieWeb Path
The IndieWeb is valuable for individuals who value independence, creativity, and control over their online presence.
And here are some reasons.
1. Ownership of Content
Control of Data: On the IndieWeb, you own your content, no one can take it down or control it except you.
This is crucial for maintaining my creative and professional independence. Still bad enough I use Blogger mxm I can move anytime. but still no more external control in any way 👀 Twitter and Facebook lol
2. Freedom from Platforms
This would make me avoid platform lock-In - Instead of relying on social media or other platforms that can change their policies or disappear, I have a stable, lasting presence that you fully control. Keeping this site alive is in my hands.
3. Personal Branding
The IndieWeb allows anyone to craft and manage their personal brand on their own terms, without the constraints or distractions of traditional platforms.
4. Connection with Like-Minded Creators
Community-Oriented: The IndieWeb is a community of creators who share similar values, independence, openness, and innovation. It’s a great way to connect with others who appreciate those ideals. Everyday I just keep stumbling on amazing people's sites
5. No more Algorithm and Pressure
This is the best part of acquiring this site. My content lives here, free from the noise and distractions of other platforms. I control what I see and share, without worrying about followers, likes, or any other form of external validation
6. Flexibility and Customization
I can design and customize this website exactly how I want it, reflecting my unique style and multi-faceted personality without limitations.
7. Long-Term Viability
By owning my domain and content, I can ensure that my online presence can evolve with me over time, without being dependent on external changes.
8. Experimentation and Learning
The IndieWeb encourages experimenting with web technologies, which aligns perfectly with my curiosity and love for learning and trying out new tools and platforms. I'm also not ending trying out of other platforms.
9. Curation and Organization
I can curate and present my diverse projects (writing, art, coding) in a cohesive, organized way that’s easy for others to explore.
10. Support for My Independent Spirit
As someone who enjoys working solo and values autonomy, the IndieWeb supports my need for independence by giving me full control over my online identity and projects.🌚
The IndieWeb aligns well with my goals of independence, creativity, and privacy, providing a platform where I can express myself freely and connect with others on my own terms.
Challenges I see Ahead
Restructuring my Blogger template and implementing IndieWeb, Webmention, and microformat2 will be challenging since I'm half new to all this and there's not much documentation for Blogger. mxm I claim to be a developer but I'm lazy 😵😵 and that's why I'm sticking to blogger.
There are advance Indieweb guides from people like Aaron Parecki and Chris Aldrich but not a blogger user friendly.
I wish I could just sit here and call a Indie Web customer care support or one of these wonderful Indies to help me set everything up 😅. Turns out everything It's open source and indie web works in a way that do it all yourself but on blogger I don't even have control of my server side and I couldn't find a straight tutorial.
It's a drag... I'm going to be visiting 'edit template' section of my blogger dashboard and seeing making changes, and adding some lines of codes; when I'm supposed to be drawing '̝̣͔̝͎̎̃̈́̾̈̇̓̑́͞I͕̣͛̏ͨͦ̃ a̷̙̬͍̪̗̝̤̪͕̩̠̬̪̟͗̀ͦ̎̂̄͂m̤̲̣̻̮̞ͧ̂͛̓̌͑ͬ ̢̦̦̠ͩͧ̋ͭͯ̇D̦̮̘̣̭̰͓̖̗̿ͮ̆͗̊ͮ̏̑ͯ̈̉͞i̓͏͙̬̝ͤͦ̅̽̈̍͏̩̠͚ḡ͕̤͕̮̘̣̭̰͓̖̗ͪ̉̆͗̊ͮ̏̑ͯ̈̉͟͞i̓͏͙̬̝ͫ̂͏̨̯̲̭͞t̵̡̠̘̙̮̥̯̰̄͋a̷̙̬͍̪̗̝̤̪͗̀ͩ̃͛̊̒̄͞҉̖͚̪͙l̤̯̞͖ͦ̈ͬ̀ ̷̦̫̟͓̝̣͙̞͓͂̈́ͯ̌͡S̛͇͉͈ͥ͊̉̄̾͜͡a̷̙̬͍̪̗̝̤̪͉͎̱̗͖͙̼͍͗̀ͪͪ̽̑͊́͢v̩̣̗̩͇̦͉͎̱̗͖͙̼͍̎͂̀́ͪͪ̽̑͊́͢v̩̣̗̩͇̦̰̟͙͙̤̲̎͂̀́̍ͣͬy̧̛̘̬̫͂̅̃̅̽̓̇'. At least I will get to flex my coding skills.
🥴 thanks for reading
Don't blame me for posting it this way usually it only stays on my now page only
Happy raining season ☔🌧️
Glossary
-Indie: Independent.
- Indie Web: A network of independently owned and operated websites.
- IndiWebify A process to become a citizen or join the IndieWeb
- Webring: A collection of linked websites with a similar theme or interest.
- Indie Webring: A webring for independent web creators.
- Indie-fied: Fully integrated into the indie web ethos.
- Fediverse: Interconnected but independent servers for web publishing and social networking.
- Social Sites: Platforms like Twitter.
- Microformat2: Simple, open data formats built on existing standards.
- Webmention : A web standard for mentions and conversations across the web.
- Silos: Centralized platforms or services that control user data and interactions, e.g., Facebook, Twitter.
Syndicated to:Twitter, Mastodon, Threads Facebook
Hopefully Interaction with syndicated copies would be Backfed to the site
