Surf, the innovative new app from Flipboard, is revolutionizing how you experience the open social web, making it easier than ever for anyone to build custom feeds tailored to their unique interests. Forget algorithmically-driven timelines dictated by large tech companies; Surf empowers you to curate your own personalized experience, focusing on the topics and communities you genuinely care about – whether it’s your favorite hobbies, sports teams, niche communities, or emerging trends. The core concept is simple: instead of passively consuming content from platforms like Meta or Google, you take control and build a feed that reflects *your* priorities. This shift is particularly relevant in today’s social media landscape, where users are increasingly frustrated with the lack of control and the dominance of centralized platforms. Surf directly addresses this by harnessing the power of the open social web, a decentralized network of social applications built on open protocols. This allows Surf to integrate content from a diverse range of sources, including popular platforms like Bluesky, Mastodon, Pixelfed, PeerTube, and even Meta’s Threads, alongside traditional blogs, podcasts, YouTube videos, and news websites – as long as they offer RSS feeds.

The app’s launch was preceded by a successful invite-only beta program, signaling Flipboard’s commitment to this new direction. Recognizing the limitations imposed by social networks’ increasingly restrictive APIs – which limit access to content and control – Flipboard pivoted to the open social web. This strategic move led to the creation of Surf, a dedicated app designed to facilitate the creation and management of custom feeds. Surf isn’t just about collecting content; it’s about building a personalized ecosystem where you’re in charge. The app’s initial success stemmed from its ability to provide a user-friendly interface for navigating the complexities of the open social web.

At the heart of Surf’s appeal are its innovative Starter Sets. These pre-configured feeds, created by the Flipboard team, provide a seamless entry point for new users. Simply select a category – such as ‘Hobbies,’ ‘Sports,’ ‘Technology,’ ‘Books,’ or ‘Travel’ – and Surf will populate the feed with a curated selection of relevant sources. For example, a ‘Hobbies’ feed could include sources dedicated to cycling, gaming, Lego, baking, hiking, and countless other interests. The system allows you to easily add your own social account feeds from platforms like Mastodon or Bluesky, further refining your personalized experience. Users can also leverage a powerful search bar to discover and incorporate specific sources based on their individual preferences. This level of control is particularly useful for managing diverse interests and filtering out unwanted content, allowing you to focus on the information that matters most to you. Imagine following a tech pundit’s insights on technology while simultaneously filtering out their political commentary – Surf makes this level of granular control a reality.

Beyond personalization, Surf introduces exciting publishing capabilities. A key feature is the ability to directly publish your custom feed to Bluesky. This allows you to share your carefully curated content with the Bluesky community, expanding your reach and fostering engagement. To publish, simply access the three-dot menu within the feed’s header and select ‘Publish to Bluesky.’ Your feed will then appear within the ‘Feeds’ tab of your Bluesky profile, offering a unique and personalized experience for Bluesky users. It’s important to note that this publishing functionality is primarily designed for viewing content within the Bluesky app, ensuring a consistent and optimized experience. Surf is currently invite-only, but Flipboard is regularly adding new members from its waiting list, indicating continued growth and expansion. The app represents a significant step forward in empowering users to reclaim control over their social media experience and explore the vast potential of the open social web.