It's non-profit.

I don't feel lost in a crowd of shitposters. I post something on c/poetry, ten people upvote and I'm like hey ten people read this, that's cool. It feels real where Reddit does not often.

I think one of the major benefits Lemmy has over Reddit is the intentional lack of user karma. I think, on balance, that entire dynamic was more harmful than helpful in the long run. Allowing voting on posts - but not aggregating votes across all comments and posts - still allows community sentiment to be expressed towards comments and conversations, but at the same time prevents the sort of popularity contest bullshit that became so prevalent on Reddit after its nascent years.

Federation. I will never use centralised social media again...

Spez isn’t on here

That people can make Android apps for it without caring about absurd API prices.

I don't need a crappy first party app to use it on my phone.

It's not owned by a corporation and no single entity has full control over it.

It's a small community, which is rare on the internet these days.

Its noncommercial, which is almost completely unheard of on the internet these days.

Engagement.

Users tend to like or dislike your comments and posts more, and post comments and reply back more often.

Compared to the millions of users on Reddit, I get more interaction on lemmy.

I host my own and practically nobody can take it away from me. If I want to switch to Sublinks I can. I can swap the UI if I hate the default one. And it will never have ads or data collection.

It's a completely open platform. I can make my own algorithm. I can fork it. I can make a compatible server from scratch if I want to. It's ours, it's everyone's.

I can be on here a LOT less than other apps and not feel like I'm addicted. I jump on to post a couple of things and scroll for a few minutes and I feel like I'm good for the day.

Feels like the earlier days of interesting reddit.

I have no doubts bots/hostile actors will find some way to fuck things up. Hopefully the devs can finish up tools to keep those problem actors at bay.

I feel like there is more variety in the content here than there was on reddit. There's less content, but it's a lot more interesting than the stuff on reddit's front page.

It's also easier to find helpful people here than it was on reddit. Reddit was super arrogant and hostile compared to Lemmy.

I've just had a ton of really friendly and amusing interactions with people here, that's my favorite thing. Not sure what feature Lemmy has that makes that happen though.

Nicer, kinder and less judgemental people.

I've had some controversial opinions here but the conversation is always civilized. It's like people are aware that not everyone is from one culture and are willing to give people the benefit of thr doubt and not judge the language of the text. Noone is judging tone.

But even more importantly I love seeing the same people around on different communities. Kolanak, cheese greater, call me lenni, picard maneuver, blaze are all names off the top of my mind that I see everywhere. It's like a small community.

I guess the best way that I'd word it is, Lemmy (and the Fediverse at whole) is run by people - not a for-profit company.

Also, having decent mobile apps again is very nice.

No ads and small communies where i can run ibto people multiple times

Greater degree of healthy dialogue. People disagree on here, but they'll more often talk it out and try to come to an understanding of some sort. Generally more curious and/or interested people and less vague shitposting.

Duplicate communities with 3 users

Its federation. Even to that point, than I can reply to you when not using Lemmy at all. I am writing this from /kbin.

More authentic posts, and much nicer interaction between people

No ads

I grew up on the internet of the 90's and 00's. Lemmy is a far cry from that, but it's more like the original internet than reddit or facebook. So here I am. I miss the small, interest driven internet holes you and they're here more than on any other platform.

It's everything I would read on reddit without the bullshit.

It is organically creating new, unique communities.

I'm still surprised by how genuine people seem to be. Sometimes someone comments or messages me and my expectation is sarcasm, judgement, or general shittiness; so I'm unsure how to reply. I think I've responded negatively sometimes just because i was reflexively defensive.

Works on my phone

People are fairly responsive on posts and comments.

It's mildly reminiscent of the social internet I grew up on.

It's both a cool concept and an actual functioning community. For now, it also feels a bit like the rubes haven't found it.

It's free, no ads, and cool communities.

I think the only thing missing is creepy pastas

Unlike what seems like many, I kind of like not having so many people here. It means there’s a good chance comments and posts will be seen by others. Reddit was/is so populated that posting anything there was like speaking into a gaping void (of hatred, many bad -isms, and occasionally friendly helpful folks).

It's NOT FUCKING reddit.

Due to having less content on Lemmy, your questions have a better chance of getting a reply even if the person can't answer the question, they usually show support in your efforts of finding the answer.

That it’s not Reddit.