Say ‘Ello to Ello: The Basics

Chelsea Oliver | January 20, 2015

A relative newcomer on the social media scene, we’re saying ‘ello to Ello here at Yabsta Digital. A private network that has since gone public due to increased interest, it is simple and was created by artists and designers. Read on for the low-down and why you might want to check it out.

ello

It’s Ad-Free

The most notable aspect of Ello is that it’s entirely free of advertisements. It does not sell or show ads and users’ personal data is not bought or sold. Ello is also a USA Public Benefit Corporation, which means that it’s highly unlikely they will ever be able to sell ads or user information. Different from the services offered by networks like Facebook, Twitter and the like, you can check out their policy here.

It’s Free-Free

Ello is free to use and users will never have to pay anything. However, the creative team frequently offers special features and, if you like them, it costs a small amount to have the feature added to your account. This money goes to support the continued improvement of the network.

How Do I Join?

At this point in time, Ello is invitation-only. If you know someone who is currently using the social media network, you can ask them to invite you. You can also request an invitation code via the site’s home page. Once you’ve received the code, you can enter it here.

Design

The layout and style of Ello is simple, clean and minimalist. Though the site is relatively stark in comparison to much social media, it is easy to use and uncluttered. Individual profiles feature a header and profile photo, username, short bio and links.

How It Works

Similar to many other networks, Ello users can follow and mention one another, and also comment on one another’s posts. The homepage is divided into two panels – one displays the Control Panel (which gives users access to the site’s many features) as well as users being followed. Followed users are divided into two groups – “Friends” and “Noise.” The second panel displays a timeline of posts from the users in the selected group that can be scrolled through and interacted with. To learn more about the nitty-gritty, check out this user manual.

Now that you know what Ello’s all about, it’s time to take the plunge! Sleek, stylish and secure, it’s the new “it” thing for individuals looking for an ad-free experience. Try it out and let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter.

Category: Creative & Design, Digital Culture, Social