# Alternative Link ![](../image/altlink_sample.jpg) This is `opt-in` service. > A little history Once upon a time there was a bot named "_[CloudflareLink](https://social.privacytools.io/@cloudflarelink/with_replies)_" which was created by Anonymous. It replied to many users who shared CF links publicly. Not many people reacted it positively. Here is some of them. - [kemonine@social.holdmybeer.solutions](https://social.holdmybeer.solutions/objects/9479c5be-40df-4ecd-a3fe-0209a9020dfd) ``` To the owner of this bot You should be ashamed. Quit drive by bro'ing our statuses. Please fornicate with a pointy stick. ``` - [Sylvhem@eldritch.cafe](https://eldritch.cafe/@Sylvhem/102701484501099424) ``` Pointing to a copy rather than the original document if it's still online is bad practice too. Also, you are a very annoying bot. ``` They got annoyed and Mastodon server owner was pressured by their "spam" reports. One of Mastodon server owner once [said](../tool/mastodonwch#some-public-reaction), "_your little protest bot is making people upset, and i'm worried it might cause people to defederate from the instance, please tone it down_." For the record "_CloudflareLink_" was moved to other Mastodon servers 3 times and banned 2 times by 2 Mastodon services until the Anonymous decided to given up for good. The main difference of AltLink is `opt-in`. Those people who [share Cloudflare links casually](cloudflared_shared_mastodon.md) never receive notification until they have a good heart and follow AL. > Subscribe 1. Follow [Alternative Link (AL)](https://mamot.fr/@altlink). - Some instances such as [mastodon.social](https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/issues/16480) are blocking altlink. | 🖼 | 🖼 | | -- | -- | | ![](../image/ban_altlink_mastodon.social.jpg) | ![](../image/ban_altlink_eldritch.cafe.jpg) | 2. AL will accept your follow request and follow back you. - If you're locking your account, please accept AL's follow request otherwise AL can't read your toots. - If you're marking your account as `Bot`, AL will reject your request and send you a message. - Try to follow again within *24* hours. (opt-in by human) - If there is a network instability and AL failed to follow back you: please unfollow and follow again. This will trigger follow-back. 3. When you share Cloudflared link, AL will send `direct` message to you with information. - Direct messages older than *1* day will be deleted. - There is no good reason to keep old toots online. - [Should I Delete My Tweets?](https://www.wired.com/story/the-know-it-alls-should-i-delete-my-tweets/) > Unsubscribe 1. Just `block` or `mute` AL's account **on your side**. - AL do not attempt to re-follow you. - If you've changed your mind and want to subscribe(opt-in) again, `unblock`, `unfollow` AL and `follow` again. > "_Is it really CloudFlare!?_" check Just send `domain name` or `URL` as direct message and AL will answer within 1 minute. Here's an example. ``` @altlink blog.emsisoft.com ``` You can also query multiple at once / mix domain and URLs ``` @altlink en.wikipedia.org https://blog.emsisoft.com/wow/ www.wikimedia.org ``` > Report a problem / Create an Issue You can create an Issue without git account. Just send a private or direct message. And don't worry, - Multiple mentions ``` @randomUser @altlink @otherUser blah blah blah ``` - Some spam keywords ...will be ignored to prevent spam. Your username part (before `@`) will be masked to protect your privacy. > Settings You can configure AL via `direct message`. - 1: Do not message me same domain again for a day. - Default is `off`. - By default AL will notify you each time when you share _cloudflaresite.example_. Turning this settings _on_ will silence second post for 24 hours. - 3: Count my links and send me report monthly. - Default is `off`. - If you turn _on_ this settings AL will simply count how many links you shared publicly and how many were Cloudflared. Note that this count will have duplicates because we never save (& don't care) what you shared. - If you change this settings _or_ each month has passed counter will reset to 0. - 4: Set my preferred language to ??. - Default is _unset_. - AL will use language based on your toot. - If you tell AL your language, AL will speak your language. - Need other language? Create an issue. - 5: Show my current preferences. - No settings option. - 6: Ignore boosted toots. - Default is `off`. - By default AL will notify you when you boost(retweet) other user's post which has Cloudflare link. - 7: Use alternative provider. - Default is `off`. - If you turn _on_ this settings AL will use [IAList](README.md) service. ``` set N V ``` - N is above numbers. - V is value. - for number 1 to 3, 6 to 7: - _one of_: y n yes no true false 1 0 on off - for number 4: - _one of_: _cc_ (see [/README.md](../README.md)) - e.g. `es Español` -> `es` - for number 5: - none (see below example) - You can mix uppercase if you want. - `sEt 1 TRuE` is same as `set 1 true` Here's an example. - Speak Русский. Monthly Report please. ``` @altlink set 4 ru set 3 on ``` - What is my current settings? ``` @altlink set 5 ``` - Turn 1 on and show settings. ``` @altlink set 1 yes set 5 ``` --- - Mastodon servers are controlled by third party. - Let us know if above account is censored by aggressive Cloudflare supporters. - ↳ ["Cloudflare, we have a problem" Mastodon](people.mastodon.md) - ↳ [How many % of public Fediverse services are using Cloudflare?](cloudflared_fediverse.md) - ↳ [How many % of links people publicly shared on Mastodon are using Cloudflare?](cloudflared_shared_mastodon.md)