# flohmarkt

> decentral federated classified ads service

**Wikidata**: [Q125279568](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q125279568)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/flohmarkt

## Summary
flohmarkt is a decentralized, federated classified ads platform built on the ActivityPub protocol, allowing users to post and browse small advertisements across interconnected servers. It is part of the Fediverse ecosystem and functions as an open-source alternative to centralized ad platforms. The project was initiated in August 2022 and is developed primarily in Python.

## Key Facts
- Inception date: August 6, 2022  
- Programming language: Python  
- License: Affero General Public License (AGPL)  
- Protocol used: ActivityPub  
- Part of: Fediverse  
- Compatible with: Mastodon  
- Current version: 0.2.0 (as of March 9, 2023)  
- Funder: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (Germany)  
- Repository: https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt  
- Author: grindhold  

## FAQs
### Q: What is flohmarkt?
A: flohmarkt is a decentralized, federated classified ad service that allows users to post and view local advertisements through a network of interconnected servers using the ActivityPub protocol.

### Q: Is flohmarkt free to use?
A: Yes, flohmarkt is open-source software licensed under the AGPL, which means it's freely available for use, modification, and redistribution.

### Q: How does flohmarkt connect with other services?
A: flohmarkt uses the ActivityPub protocol, enabling it to interoperate with other Fediverse platforms like Mastodon. A compatibility chart is maintained on its wiki.

## Why It Matters
flohmarkt represents a shift toward decentralized digital marketplaces by offering a privacy-respecting, community-driven alternative to traditional online classified ad sites. As part of the Fediverse, it enables user-controlled data and server autonomy while promoting interoperability between platforms. Its development supports the broader movement towards ethical technology infrastructure that reduces reliance on large tech monopolies. By being funded by public institutions such as the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, it also demonstrates support for open-source innovation within civic tech initiatives.

## Notable For
- First classified ad platform built specifically for the Fediverse  
- Uses the widely adopted ActivityPub protocol for federation  
- Fully open-source under the strong copyleft AGPL license  
- Developed with funding from a national government-backed program (Prototype Fund)  
- Integrates seamlessly with existing Fediverse tools like Mastodon  

## Body

### Overview
flohmarkt is a decentralized classified advertisement system designed to operate within the Fediverse—an open social media network based on the ActivityPub protocol. Unlike conventional centralized ad boards, flohmarkt distributes content across independent servers ("instances"), allowing greater control over personal data and reducing dependency on single corporate entities.

### Development & Technical Details
The project was created on August 6, 2022, and has been actively developed since then. Written in Python, it leverages modern web standards and protocols to ensure broad compatibility and extensibility.

Key technical features include:
- **Protocol**: Implements ActivityPub for decentralized communication
- **License**: Licensed under GNU Affero General Public License v3.0
- **Version**: Version 0.2.0 released on March 9, 2023
- **Repository**: Hosted at Codeberg (Forgejo-based forge): [https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt)
- **Programming Language**: Python

### Funding and Community Support
Development of flohmarkt has received financial backing from the Prototype Fund, sponsored by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research. This highlights its recognition as a valuable contribution to open-source and decentralized technologies.

Community engagement occurs via multiple channels including:
- IRC channel: `irc://irc.libera.chat/#flohmarkt`
- Lemmy community: `flohmarkt@lemmy.ca`

### Compatibility and Integration
flohmarkt integrates into the wider Fediverse ecosystem, ensuring cross-platform interaction capabilities. It is documented to be compatible with popular Fediverse projects like Mastodon. An official list of known instances can be found on its Codeberg wiki page.

### Documentation and Resources
Users and developers have access to several resources:
- FAQ: [https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/wiki/FAQ](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/wiki/FAQ)
- Instance List: [https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/wiki/flohmarkt-instances](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/wiki/flohmarkt-instances)
- Source Code Repository: [https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt)

These materials help foster transparency, ease adoption, and encourage contributions from both end-users and developers alike.

## References

1. [Source](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/src/branch/master/setup.py)
2. [Source](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/commit/b8947afcb6c94bc17917e7426cb1d9df30502f4c)
3. [flohmarkt/flohmarkt: federated decentral classified ad software using activitypub - Codeberg.org](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt)
4. [Source](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt)
5. [Source](https://prototypefund.de/project/flohmarkt/)
6. [Source](https://codeberg.org/flohmarkt/flohmarkt/wiki/Service-compatibility-chart)