diff --git a/web/template/about.tmpl b/web/template/about.tmpl
index 46349a4c3..04b0b095f 100644
--- a/web/template/about.tmpl
+++ b/web/template/about.tmpl
@@ -33,6 +33,32 @@
 {{- end }}
 {{- end -}}
 
+{{- define "languages" -}}
+{{- if .languages }}
+<p>This instance prefers the following languages:</p>
+<ol>
+    {{- range .languages }}
+    <li>{{- . -}}</li>
+    {{- end }}
+</ol>
+{{- else }}
+<p>No preferred languages have yet been set for this instance.</p> 
+{{- end }}
+{{- end -}}
+
+{{- define "rules" -}}
+{{- if .instance.Rules }}
+<p>This instance has the following rules:</p>
+<ol>
+    {{- range .instance.Rules }}
+    <li>{{- .Text -}}</li>
+    {{- end }}
+</ol>
+{{- else }}
+<p>No rules have yet been set for this instance.</p>
+{{- end }}
+{{- end -}}
+
 {{- define "registrationLimits" -}}
 {{- if .instance.Registrations -}}
     Registration is enabled; new signups can be submitted to this instance.<br/>
@@ -129,30 +155,16 @@ Polls can have up to&nbsp;
     <section class="about-section" role="region" aria-labelledby="languages">
         <h3 id="languages">Languages</h3>
         <div class="about-section-contents">
-            {{- if .languages }}
-            <p>This instance prefers the following languages:</p>
-            <ol>
-                {{- range .languages }}
-                <li>{{- . -}}</li>
-                {{- end }}
-            </ol>
-            {{- else }}
-            <p>This instance does not have any preferred languages.</p> 
+            {{- with . }}
+            {{- include "languages" . | indent 3 }}
             {{- end }}
         </div>
     </section>
     <section class="about-section" role="region" aria-labelledby="rules">
         <h3 id="rules">Instance Rules</h3>
         <div class="about-section-contents">
-            <p>This instance has the following rules:</p>
-            {{- if .instance.Rules }}
-            <ol>
-                {{- range .instance.Rules }}
-                <li>{{- .Text -}}</li>
-                {{- end }}
-            </ol>
-            {{- else }}
-            <p>This instance has not yet set any rules.</p>
+            {{- with . }}
+            {{- include "rules" . | indent 3 }}
             {{- end }}
         </div>
     </section>
diff --git a/web/template/index.tmpl b/web/template/index.tmpl
index 7e7b7118e..80245fe5a 100644
--- a/web/template/index.tmpl
+++ b/web/template/index.tmpl
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
             <a href="/about">See more details</a>
         </div>
     </section>
+    {{- include "index_what_is_this.tmpl" . | indent 1 }}
     {{- include "index_apps.tmpl" . | indent 1 }}
 </main>
 {{- end }}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/web/template/index_what_is_this.tmpl b/web/template/index_what_is_this.tmpl
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ff6eb4886
--- /dev/null
+++ b/web/template/index_what_is_this.tmpl
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+{{- /*
+// GoToSocial
+// Copyright (C) GoToSocial Authors admin@gotosocial.org
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: AGPL-3.0-or-later
+//
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+//
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+//
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+// along with this program.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+*/ -}}
+
+{{- with . }}
+<section role="region" class="about-section what-is-this" aria-labelledby="what-is-this">
+    <h3 id="what-is-this">What is this?</h3>
+    <div class="about-section-contents">
+        <p>
+            The web page you're reading right now is served by an instance of GoToSocial,
+            a federated, distributed, open-source microblogging software which connects
+            to other instances across a network known as the "fediverse".
+        </p>
+        <h4 id="what-is-an-instance">What is an "instance"?</h4>
+        <p>
+            "Instance" is a term commonly used for one node in the fediverse. Each instance
+            has its own web address, user(s), culture, rules, and settings. Instances exchange
+            data by "talking" to each other over the internet using a protocol called
+            <a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/activitypub" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">ActivityPub (opens in a new tab)</a>.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            Each instance can, in theory, talk to each other instance, allowing people to talk
+            to one another across a decentralized network that has no single authority in charge.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            There are thousands of fediverse instances, connecting millions of people together.
+        </p>
+        <h4 id="how-do-i-join-the-fediverse">How do I join the fediverse?</h4>
+        <p>
+            You can join the fediverse by running your own instance of an ActivityPub software,
+            or by finding an existing instance that aligns with your values and expectations,
+            and registering an account there.
+        </p>
+        <p>
+            To help you find an instance that suits you, you can try one of the following tools:
+        </p>
+        <ul>
+            <li><a href="https://fediverse.observer" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Fediverse Observer (opens in a new tab)</a></li>
+            <li><a href="https://fedidb.org/network" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">FediDB (opens in a new tab)</a></li>
+        </ul>
+    </div>
+</section>
+{{- end }}
\ No newline at end of file