I think part of it is there are instances that are just sooooo broad. Mastodon.social … shouldn’t exist? I think. It’s too broad and kinda duplicates the general social network issues of everyone using the thing.
Meanwhile there are loads of three-digit-user instances that are more focused (and have less problems on a tech level, and on a social level)
I think the project instances exist so people will at least get on board, try it, figure it out, and move on to a more suitable instance rather than abandon the whole thing entirely. The alternative is losing lots of potential users at the front door.
Meanwhile there are loads of three-digit-user instances that are more focused (and have less problems on a tech level, and on a social level)