Nostr: An Open Protocol for Decentralized Communication Overview Nostr is a decentralized and apolitical communication protocol designed for free, open information sharing. It defines a simple yet scalable architecture where clients and servers (relays) interact without centralized control by corporations or governments. Anyone can build or use Nostr-based applications. --- Key Features Open and Chaotic, Like the Internet Supports multiple data types and diverse user interactions. Multiple clients provide different perspectives on the same data. Many Clients, Many Servers Clients run on your devices; servers (relays) run in the cloud. Unlike centralized systems, clients connect to many relays simultaneously. Cryptographically Signed Notes Core data units are signed notes created by users and published across relays. Digital signatures prove authorship and authenticity without centralized authority. Smart Clients as User Agents Clients decide which relays to connect to and which data to request based on user preferences and context. Relays as Distribution Centers Relays store and distribute notes but cannot modify signed content. Relays set their own rules for data retention and access. --- Protocol Properties Ownership and Control Protocol itself is ownerless; relays are separately owned and can enforce their own content policies. Freedom of association enables users to choose which relays to trust and follow. Users can run their own relays with custom rules. Resilience and Freedom Users announce which relays they use as "outboxes" to publish content. Followers connect directly to those outbox relays to read content. Switching relays is seamless, preserving audience connectivity even if relays ban users or shut down. Client Intelligence Clients monitor relay announcements and adapt dynamically to network changes. Locally manage relay connections and cache data for reliability. --- Ecosystem and Use Cases Not Just Social While suited for Twitter-like microblogging, Nostr supports sub-protocols for: Closed groups and forums Decentralized Wikipedia-type knowledge bases Couchsurfing communities Marketplaces Web annotations Coordination roles for decentralized code collaboration, file hosting, torrent sharing, and video livestreaming are also being explored. Still Under Development Nostr currently demands programmer involvement and early adopters to improve protocols and user experience. Extensive open-source projects and documentation exist on GitHub for contributions. --- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is a Protocol? A shared language between software (like email or HTTP), enabling multiple apps to interoperate under Nostr. Handling Spam and Harassment Spam is limited as clients fetch content only from followed users. Additional filters possible by choosing trusted relays or employing shared blocklists. Harassment dealt similarly by blocking and relay access control. Scalability Relays naturally distribute load. Clients can handle many WebSocket connections for scalability. Local databases help batch event requests and efficiently manage feeds. Content Discoverability Without Algorithms Content discovery occurs through social graph exploration (people you follow and their interactions). Algorithms can run locally or on relays, including AI-powered and curated content feeds. Comparison With Existing Platforms Mastodon/Fediverse: Limited by server-owned identities and lack of cryptography, causing trust and censorship issues. Bluesky/ATProto: Centralized by design, with identity and data centralization posing censorship and trust risks. Nostr's multi-master, cryptographic signature model offers greater decentralization and trust. Economic Incentives for