Decentralized and permissionless nature of blockchain technology is changing the game for social media, allowing developers to build platforms that focus on user privacy and decentralization. These new on-chain services let users control their content while offering new ways to earn money in the digital realm.
In 2024, on-chain social media range from decentralized microblogging to innovative content creation networks. Let’s take a look at the ten best blockchain-based social media platforms to watch this year and beyond.
Bluesky
Bluesky is a blockchain social media network that started as a side project from Twitter in 2019. It became independent in 2022 and launched its beta version in February 2023, gaining popularity quickly. By February 2024, it opened to the public and gained over 3 million users in just 24 hours.
Key Features
Bluesky uses the new AT (Authenticated Transfer) Protocol, giving users complete control and transparency:
- Decentralization: Users can host their own servers or choose someone else to host them, which helps keep their data safe from central influence.
- Portability: Users can easily move their profiles and contacts between different platforms that use the AT Protocol.
- Algorithmic Choice: Users can pick, change, or create their own content curation algorithms.
- Composable Moderation: Custom filters let users adjust their experience to their liking.
- Trust and Verification: Cryptographic methods verify the authenticity of content, and usernames based on domains improve trust.
Mastodon
Mastodon, an open-source social network, has gained popularity as an alternative to Twitter. Founded in 2016 by German software developer Eugen Rochkom, it operates on a decentralized network of independent servers. This platform prioritizes user privacy and community-driven content moderation. Mastodon is free to use and relies on public donations through Stripe and Patreon, eschewing ad revenue and data collection.
Key Features
Mastodon focuses on community control, privacy, and user choice, making it a great alternative to mainstream social networks.
- Decentralized Structure: Users join specific servers, each with its own rules and moderation policies.
- ActivityPub Protocol: Enables seamless interaction with other Fediverse platforms.
- Enhanced Privacy: Offers various privacy options for posts and user accounts.
- Content Warnings: Allows users to hide sensitive content behind warnings.
- Customizable Timelines: Users can view local and federated timelines.
- Character Limit: Supports up to 500 characters per post.
- Media Support: Enables sharing of photos, videos, and audio files.
Mirror
Mirror is a writing platform that uses blockchain technology and follows Web3 ideas, focusing on decentralization and user control. It lets users read and write for free by connecting their Ethereum wallets. Mirror offers a different approach to publishing, combining content creation with cryptocurrency features, making it one of the top blockchain social media platforms today.
Key Features
Mirror aims to change social networking and publishing to give users more control over their content and help build a stronger community online.
- Decentralized Publishing: Posts on Mirror are saved forever on Arweave, so they’re always accessible and can’t be censored.
- Writing NFTs: Users can transform their posts into collectible NFTs, creating new monetization opportunities.
- Crypto Subscriptions: Writers can get paid directly for their work through cryptocurrency subscriptions.
- DAO Integration: Mirror helps create decentralized organizations where the community can have a say in decisions.
- Custom URLs: Users can create personalized URLs by burning Mirror tokens and gaining community votes.
- Extensive Dashboard: The platform offers a flexible blog post creation system with various utilities.
- Web3 Ecosystem: Mirror integrates with other decentralized platforms and supports various cryptocurrencies and tokens.
Steemit
Steemit, started in 2016 by Ned Scott and Daniel Larimer, is a leading social media platform on blockchain. This new network changes the way social networking works by allowing users to earn cryptocurrency to create and share content. It offers a fresh way to engage and make money online.
Key Features
Steemit has drawn in many different users, like bloggers, writers, photographers, and artists, giving them a space to show their work and earn rewards for it.
- Decentralized Structure: Steemit is built on the Steem blockchain, which keeps content uncensored and transactions clear.
- Three-Currency System: The platform uses three types of currency: STEEM (a tradeable cryptocurrency), STEEM POWER (SP, for platform influence), and STEEM Dollar (SBD, a stablecoin).
- Reward System: Steemit rewards users with its native cryptocurrency for uploading articles, images, and comments.
- Content Curation: Users can upvote, downvote, and comment on posts, with rewards given based on how popular the content is.
- Crowdfunding Capabilities: The platform facilitates community-driven initiatives through cryptocurrency contributions.
Minds
Minds is a free and open social media platform built on blockchain. It positions itself as the “anti-Facebook” and focuses on free speech and user privacy. The platform combines social networking features with blockchain technology. Users can use it on the website, desktop, or through a mobile app, giving them greater control over their online experience.
Key Features
- Open-Source Architecture: The platform's code is freely available, allowing users to create custom social networks.
- Cryptocurrency Rewards: Users earn Minds tokens, an Ethereum-based cryptocurrency, for being active and contributing to the platform.
- Content Boosting: Tokens can be used to promote posts, increasing visibility across the network.
- Minimal Content Moderation: Minds takes a hands-off approach to content moderation, aiming to foster open dialog and deradicalization through civil discourse.
- Chronological Feed: Posts appear in reverse chronological order, offering a transparent alternative to algorithm-driven feeds.
- Crowdfunding: Users can support others through monthly subscriptions or one-time token transfers.
- Premium Subscription: A monthly subscription unlocks special content, lets users get verified, and allows them to remove promoted posts from their feeds.
Lens Protocol
Lens Protocol, created by Aave, is an exciting Web3 project that wants to change social media using blockchain technology. This platform gives users real ownership of their online identities and content. At its heart, Lens Protocol has a decentralized social graph, which gives developers tools to create new social apps that connect seamlessly with each other.
Key Features
- Developer-Friendly: Lens Protocol is a comprehensive toolbox for building diverse applications and promoting new ideas in the space.
- Blockchain-Based Security: Blockchain technology keeps data safe and makes it harder to spread false information.
- User-Owned Profiles: Unlike regular platforms, Lens profiles are owned by users, not companies. Users can hold friend lists and create content and collections.
- NFT Integration: Profiles are minted as NFTs, enabling unique interactions.
Sapien
Sapien is an Ethereum-based social news platform that prioritizes user privacy, customizability, and democracy. It aims to tackle problems like fake news while rewarding content creators. As a Web3 social network, Sapien gives users full access to their data and content. Users can earn SPN tokens by sharing accurate information or interacting with others.
Key Features
- Customizable Experience: Users can adjust their networking settings to fit their needs.
- Public/Private Browsing: Users can easily switch between public and private modes for real identities or anonymous use.
- Encrypted Chat: All conversations are kept private and secure.
- Tokenized Rewards: Users can earn SPN tokens for activities like commenting, voting, and content creation.
- Ad Revenue Sharing: Users who opt to see ads receive at least 50% of the revenue generated.
- Decentralized Marketplace: Users can buy exclusive content, services, and virtual items with SPN tokens.
- Staking Mechanism: SPN token holders can stake them to earn additional rewards and benefits.
- Transparency: Ad transactions are publicly viewable on etherscan.io.
Diamond App
The Diamond App gives users more control over their online presence and rewards them with cryptocurrency for creating content. Diamond allows users to manage their interactions, posts, and data without central control. It runs on its own special blockchain, similar to Bitcoin but designed to handle social network data more effectively.
Key Features
- User-Owned Profiles: Users can create profiles and post content freely, similar to mainstream social networks.
- Native Cryptocurrency: The app uses its own currency, called Deso, for activities like posting and commenting.
- Creator Coins: Each profile has its own tradable coin, allowing users to invest in creators they believe in.
- NFT Integration: Users can create and sell NFTs, with a percentage of sales potentially distributed to coin holders.
- Decentralized Architecture: Anyone can run a Diamond 'node', ensuring content availability and reducing the risk of de-platforming.
Hive Blog
Hive Blog is a blockchain social media platform that combines content creation with cryptocurrency rewards. It operates on the Hive Blockchain Protocol, which supports content and value storage. It works like a mix of a social network and a blogging site, with features similar to Reddit, such as upvoting, commenting, and following users or topics.
Key Features
- Cryptocurrency Rewards: Users earn Hive tokens and Hive-Based Dollars (HBD) for creating content, commenting, and curating posts.
- Diverse Content Creation: The platform supports various content types, including blog posts, photography, artwork, and videos.
- Community-Centric: Users can join specific communities based on their interests and content preferences.
- Decentralized Structure: Hive Blog runs on a secure and transparent distributed ledger.
- Customizable Experience: Users can personalize their profiles and control their content visibility.
- NFT Integration: Artists can mint and sell their digital artworks as NFTs on the platform.
- Staking Mechanism: Users can power up their Hive tokens to increase voting power and potential earnings.
Audius
Audius is a decentralized music streaming platform that lets anyone share and listen to music without paying subscription fees. It appeals to artists and people who want a different option from traditional streaming services. Originally built on Ethereum, it later moved to Solana for better performance.
Key Features
- Artist-Centric Approach: Artists can host music for free and generate revenue without record label deals.
- AUDIO Token: This is the platform's special cryptocurrency that pays artists and allows users to earn rewards.
- Free Unlimited Uploads: Users enjoy unlimited uploads and an ad-free experience.
- Decentralized Structure: The platform runs on the Solana blockchain, making it safe and transparent.
- Community Engagement: Artists can connect with millions of tastemakers across various genres.
- Customizable Monetization: Artists set their own prices and earn bonus AUDIO for sales.
- Governance Rights: AUDIO token holders can participate in platform governance decisions.
Features of Blockchain-Powered Social Platforms
On-chain social network services offer unique features that set them apart from traditional web2 networks. These platforms prioritize user control, data security, and content ownership.
Cryptocurrency Rewards
Many blockchain social networks reward users with cryptocurrency for participating. Platforms like Steemit and Minds let users earn tokens by creating content, engaging with posts, and curating material. This encourages people to contribute quality content and stay active in the community.
Enhanced Privacy
Decentralized social media enhances user user privacy by storing data across many locations and using encryption. Users can manage their online identities using secure methods, which reduces the chance of unauthorized access or misuse of their data. Some platforms even allow users to create accounts without linking to their real-world identities.
Content Ownership
In blockchain networks, users have complete ownership of their content. They can share, change, or delete their posts whenever they want. The blockchain's unchangeable nature means that once something is recorded, it can't be altered or removed by others.
Censorship Resistance
Blockchain technology helps prevent censorship. Because these platforms are decentralized, it's hard for any one group to censor or control content based on their own rules. This supports freedom of expression and a variety of opinions within the community.
Conclusion
Decentralized social networks focus on privacy, decentralization, and giving power to users, solving many issues found in traditional platforms. They offer alternatives to popular sites and create new ways for people to interact online and earn money from their content.
Although there are still challenges, the rise of blockchain-powered social media shows a move towards a more user-friendly, transparent, and decentralized online future.
