Flipboard Launches Surf Social Websites to Empower Creators on the Open Web

On April 2, 2026, Flipboard officially launched social websites through its Surf platform, offering creators a new way to host independent communities. These destinations consolidate posts, videos, and podcasts from across the open social web into a single, user-controlled space. By utilizing protocols like ActivityPub and AT Protocol, the initiative aims to move away from closed algorithmic platforms.

CEO Mike McCue explained that these websites help publishers and podcasters build communities without starting from scratch. Instead of managing separate audiences on different apps, creators can aggregate content from Bluesky, Mastodon, and Threads. This structure ensures that the owner, not a third-party platform, maintains control over the algorithm and user experience.

Major publications like The Verge and WIRED are among the first to adopt the new model. They have created dedicated spaces where readers can follow specific journalists and join discussions in real time. Individual creators, including Taylor Lorenz and photographer David Imel, are also using the tool to connect newsletters and visual feeds. Setting up a social website involves creating a Surf feed at surf.social and assigning a custom domain. Users can customize the display mode to prioritize posts, video, or audio depending on their specific needs. The platform is designed to be accessible, removing the technical hurdles often associated with decentralized networks. Flipboard views this launch as the start of a broader movement toward a localized and creator-owned internet. The company plans to release more customization tools, such as custom headers and advanced feed management, in the coming months. These social websites are intended to live beyond the Surf app itself, functioning as independent homes for digital communities.