What is stopping you from leaving the big social networks?

The problems and downsides of the current big social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others) are pretty well known: data collection, tracking our every move whether we want it or not, the deluge of ads, bots and fraud… yet most of us still keep our accounts there.

Why is that? What would you like to see in the alternatives that would help you make the switch completely? Some of the things that come to mind:

  • Network effects, i.e. everyone you follow is on Twitter so you need to convince a good number of them to switch as well.
  • It’s hard to port all of the data and content you have created there.
  • Most of the services on the fediverse are run by amateurs (in the literal meaning of the word, “doing it for love”) and not necessarily professional/stable enough for me to trust them.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.