Tumblr Backs Tapestry: A Timeline App for the Open Social Web

Tumblr Invests in Tapestry, an Open Web Feed Organizer

The blogging and social media platform Tumblr, owned by Automattic, has provided financial support to Tapestry. Tapestry is a recently launched application created to consolidate feeds from various sources across the open web.

Tapestry's Crowdfunding Success and Initial Launch

Initially introduced as a Kickstarter campaign in January 2024, Tapestry successfully raised over $177,000 through crowdfunding. This funding facilitated the development of the app, which became available to the public earlier this month via the App Store.

The company announced on Tuesday that Tumblr had further supported the project through a grant. These funds are earmarked for the creation of a native macOS version of the application. Currently, the app’s iPad version is compatible with Mac computers.

Future Development and Runway

The Tapestry team indicates that this additional funding provides sufficient resources for improvements and development over the next 9 to 12 months.

Tumblr's Broader Strategy and the Fediverse

Tumblr’s involvement in this area aligns with its 2019 acquisition by Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com. Automattic is transitioning Tumblr’s infrastructure to WordPress to optimize operations.

This transition will integrate Tumblr into the fediverse, the decentralized social web powered by the ActivityPub protocol. This protocol also underpins platforms like Mastodon, Threads, and Pixelfed.

Tapestry's Features and Design

Developed by The Iconfactory, renowned for their work on the Twitterific app, Tapestry enables users to curate personalized feeds from diverse sources.

The app supports a wide range of sources, including RSS feeds, YouTube channels, podcasts, Bluesky, Mastodon, Reddit, Tumblr, Micro.blog, GO Comics, and more. To date, the application has accumulated approximately 40,000 installations.

Empowering User Control

The core concept behind Tapestry is to empower users with greater control over their news and information consumption.

The emergence of the open social web allows individuals to exert more influence over their online experiences. Users on platforms like Bluesky can now construct their own feeds, subscribe to specialized content created by others, and implement their own moderation preferences.

New Sponsorship Program

Thanks to Tumblr’s six-figure grant, Iconfactory has introduced a sponsorship program within Tapestry. This program allows advertisers to reach the app’s user base.

Rather than relying on conventional internet advertising, the sponsorship feature is designed with small, independent creators in mind, as noted by Iconfactory.

According to an Iconfactory blog post, the aim is to connect the Tapestry community with exciting independent applications, enthusiast-driven blogs, and informative podcasts or YouTube channels.

Competition in the Open Web Aggregator Space

Tapestry is among a growing number of applications seeking to provide similar customization options by creating an aggregator focused on the broader web, utilizing open protocols rather than being limited to a single social network.

Competing applications in this space include Surf, Feeeed, and Reeder.

Tumblr's Commitment to the Open Social Web

Tumblr has confirmed that the grant was provided directly by Tumblr itself, and not by its parent company Automattic, demonstrating a commitment to supporting the open social web.

This article was updated following its initial publication to include further details regarding the grant and the company’s future plans.