@Gargron
Once you're around awhile, you don't want to leave. At least I don't.

But at the first foray, the amount of traffic was a surprise. I'm used to it now and prefer it.

There are better anti-harrassment tools over 2 years ago when I first tried it. That helps but may have scared people off that had negative experiences.

There's also a contingency of people who simply exist to drive off other users. Not talking about the Parler/Gab people- drive them off. I mean just regular users they don't think "belong on Mastodon."

Anyway, less of that and a concerted PR campaign. Otherwise, please won't think to come back.