Introduction

Can this be the answer all content creators are waiting for? A new method for creators to take ownership of their content is called DeSo or Decentralized Social. It provides full ownership to the creators instead of in a centralized ecosystem or companies that have full ownership of content such as Instagram or Facebook.

Lens Protocol has contributed greatly to DeSo by creating a platform where developers can create their own decentralized social media platform. This provides a wide range of benefits such as:

• Creators providing their own fee for creation(ex: video, music, art, etc),

• Gas efficiency through the usage of the Polygon blockchain

• Allowing the addition of new features.

Steering away from web2

There are significant differences between web2 social media networks and Lens.

Web2 networks have their own centralized databases, meaning all content is locked in the owner's network. In contrast, Lens is a user-owned social graph that any application can plug into.

This empowers creators, who no longer have to worry about losing their content or audience, since they own it. They can decide how to monetize their content and how they would like the social graph to be built.

In summary, Lens represents a significant departure from the traditional web2 social media model, offering individuals greater control over their content and the way it is shared with others.

What's being built?

There are many apps and services being built on Lens. They offer unique solutions for creators in their respective fields of either music, video, art, etc. Some highlights of platforms being created on lens are:

-Lenster: A composabe, decentralized and permissionless social media dApp. Artists can upload tracks or art directly on Lensters.

-Amnisiac: Is a decentralized Music Streaming app built on the Lens protocol. It allows you to check out a lift of Music NFTs in the Lens ecosystem.

-Lenstube: Is a decentralized video streaming app built on Lens protocol. It has a Youtube feel to it. However, it empowers creators by having an option for viewers to “collect” each video for a fee similar to a tip. The amount that the viewer pays depends on the amount that the creator inputs. This means the creator not only owns the piece but is free to put any price on their creation.

Lens is on its way to solving a creator economy issue.

Shout outs!

Shout out to Mariana R. for helping me write this article, find her on Twitter and Joshua N for brainstorming ideas. Special thanks to DevRel Uni for creating the initiative of sharing our knowledge.