Decentralized social networking is envisioned as the future, yet various Twitter alternatives are currently available. Yup, a new app, aims to streamline the experience by providing a centralized platform for reading feeds, following friends across services, and cross-posting to various social apps, including Twitter/X, Bluesky, Farcaster, Lens, and Threads. However, using Threads via Yup involves a workaround, as the Threads API is not publicly available, requiring users to temporarily disable Instagram’s two-factor authentication.
Yup’s launch highlights the fragmented nature of the social app ecosystem, especially after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, now named X. With emerging platforms like Mastodon and Threads promising decentralization and integration with the ActivityPub protocol, the social web is undergoing a transformation. Competing protocols, such as Farcaster, Lens, and Bluesky’s AT Protocol, are also vying for prominence.
Although Yup currently lacks support for the full social app ecosystem, the co-founders, Nir Kabessa and Vernon Johnson, envision it as a tool for users and creators to build audiences across platforms. The app, funded by a $3.5 million seed round, focuses on cross-posting and engagement with open protocols while maintaining a presence on major social apps like Twitter/X.
Yup faces challenges, including the need to pay $5,000 per month in API fees for X support and potential issues related to its workaround for Threads. Despite these hurdles, Yup offers a familiar experience, allowing users to connect accounts, toggle between apps for posting, and access features like search and various feeds.
However, Yup’s limitations, such as inconsistent feed updates and challenges in referencing or quoting posts across platforms, raise concerns about its functionality beyond cross-posting. The existence of such apps like Yup reflects the current state of a decentralized social web with competing protocols, making the transition away from Big Tech companies complex and confusing for consumers and developers alike. While the concept of a decentralized social web is promising, achieving consensus among diverse protocols remains a challenge. In the interim, Yup provides a solution for users navigating this evolving landscape, offering a free experience with potential future subscription options to support its ongoing development.
