Corporate online social networks ultimately aim to increase profits, so they inevitably enshitify themselves. Meanwhile, the federated system allows users to switch instances or even create their own should their current main instance become unappealing. It also allows users to join several instances simultaneously, allowing users to tailor their experiences based on purpose and privacy.
Lemmy.ml is one of the largest instances and the constantly promote authoritarian propaganda on their instance as well as spreading it to other instances.