Loops

Loops is an open-source, self-hosted web app and server that focuses on the distribution of short-form video content. It provides a decentralized environment where creators can upload and share videos without the presence of advertisements or the constraints of platform lock-in. The software functions as a federated social network, allowing different server instances to communicate and share media across a distributed web.

The software is deployed as a server application, which enables individuals or organizations to host their own independent instances. Users interact with the platform through a web application interface to manage their video libraries, follow other creators, and engage with content. By removing the central authority found in proprietary platforms, it shifts the control of data and content moderation to the instance administrators and the creators themselves.

Key features

• Federated short video sharing
• ActivityPub protocol integration
• Decentralized community ownership
• Ad-free content delivery
• Public API for external integrations
• Support for multiple language translations
• AGPLv3 open-source licensing
• Integration with object storage for media

Loops utilizes the ActivityPub protocol to ensure interoperability across the fediverse. This architectural choice allows users on a Loops instance to interact with users on other compatible decentralized platforms, creating a networked ecosystem of short videos. To handle the high bandwidth requirements of video streaming, the system is designed to work with Content Delivery Networks and external object storage, ensuring that media is served efficiently to a global audience. The project is developed with support from the Next Generation Internet program and is intended for users who prioritize data sovereignty and community-led governance over centralized corporate algorithms.

Loops is a decentralized social network specifically for short-form video content.