Each instance has a local (instance) timeline and a federated timeline in addition to one's own personal timeline. The local timeline only shows posts from accounts on that instance. The federated timeline shows posts from all accounts followed by at least one user on the instance.
So these two timelines can be dramatically different and they're a big factor in account discoverability and the "feel" of an instance.
Of course you can go out and follow ~anyone from ~anywhere, and that's the Fediverse's killer feature, but the more local content matters too.
Each instance has a local (instance) timeline and a federated timeline in addition to one's own personal timeline. The local timeline only shows posts from accounts on that instance. The federated timeline shows posts from all accounts followed by at least one user on the instance.
So these two timelines can be dramatically different and they're a big factor in account discoverability and the "feel" of an instance.
Of course you can go out and follow ~anyone from ~anywhere, and that's the Fediverse's killer feature, but the more local content matters too.