Indeed, I see people saying “we should just randomly assign an instance from the top 10”, when hexbear (RIP) was in the top 5

Also top 10 ( lemmy.fediverse.observer/list )

1. LW
2. lemm.ee
3. lemmynsfw.com - not suitable
4. sh.itjust.work - shit in the name, not appealing to the average user
5. lemmy.ml - power tripping feddit.uk/post/12952230
6. lemmy.dbzer0.com - requires to follow and agree the Anarchist code of Conduct - not appealing to the average user
7. lemmy.ca - Canada-oriented, non-Canadian users might not want to join as they wouldn’t think they would belong
8. feddit.org - German-focused, feddit.org/c/main content is in German
9. lemmy.blahaj.zone - queer-focused
10. programming.dev - programmers-focused

I made a more complete analysis in this post lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/37336391 (pinned on !fedibridge@lemmy.dbzer0.com ), nowadays I basically go with:

" Lemmy has 47k monthly active users

• discuss.online if you want a server located in the USA (content is still accessible from any server, the most difference latency)
• sopuli.xyz if you want a server located in the EU
• vger.app/settings/install if you want an app

Feel free if you have any questions"

Because yes, the USA/EU question appeared during the Luigi announcement in LW.