The advancement of technology has played a major role in human growth and development. Social media, which has become a reflection of modern society, has significantly contributed to these positive changes. Web3, which is a subset of blockchain technology, is another key component of contemporary society.
SocialFi, a Web3 solution for enhanced social networking, addresses all issues related to online socialization. It is Web3’s alternative to centralized platforms such as Meta and Twitter. With the power of Web3 innovations like cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DAOs, SocialFi is able to compete with other Web2 services.
This article will examine what sets SocialFi apart from centralized social media platforms and discuss the future of social media.
What Are the Challenges Presented by Web 2.0 Social Media?
Approximately 58.4% of the world’s population spends a minimum of two hours on social media daily. However, a small group of centralized entities and their shareholders benefit from the attention, engagement, and data generated from this activity. This creates a negative incentive structure, leading to the now-popular catchphrase, “If the product is free, you are the product.”
There are several instances of centralized decision-making, such as platforms banning content creators from discussing certain topics. While these measures may be put in place to protect the community, Web3 offers a more decentralized curation process, if it exists at all.
Digital ownership and tracking ownership have also been issues with Web2 applications. Creators and artists who publish their work online often emphasize the importance of digital ownership, as a lack of it can lead to digital piracy.
Web2 platforms also struggle to capitalize on the value of popular brands. Influencers who have established themselves as brand ambassadors may indirectly benefit from their brand equity, but their online popularity and reputation do not always translate into financial gain.
What is SocialFi?
SocialFi is a social networking platform built on the principles of decentralization and efficiency. With the help of the SocialFi platform, users have a safer and more efficient way to create, manage, and own their social media content. The platform offers a range of features that allow users to connect with their friends and family, as well as with people they may not know.
The SocialFi platform is built on blockchain technology, which implies that all transactions are unalterable and publicly viewable. This ensures that users have a secure and convenient way to create, manage, and own their social media content.
In addition to offering a safe and efficient platform for social media, SocialFi also provides a range of tools that set it apart from other social media sites. Users can easily connect with friends, family, and people with similar interests, and they can also create and share content.
How Does SocialFi Work?
With SocialFi, users have the ability to control their interactions and earn a portion of the profits. Earning money on SocialFi is as easy as chatting with other users, creating NFTs, placing ads, or hosting a live stream. Profits from content creation and standard advertising can be evenly shared without a single person taking the majority of the share.
SocialFi provides an excellent opportunity for users to generate passive income through social activity by offering a fair share of revenue and the freedom to post without interference.
Although blockchain technology has introduced numerous innovative features to the banking and data analysis industries, its use cases beyond these fields have not been sufficient to convince users to switch from Web2 applications.
GameFi has raised a significant amount of funding in an attempt to change the ownership and incentive models in the gaming industry, but there is not enough evidence to say it has been a major success.
NFTs, despite having thriving subreddits, are another example of a promising blockchain application that has not yet gained widespread popularity.
While the concept of “digital ownership” of artwork or game assets may be unfamiliar to the average internet user, promoting one’s content on social media is second nature. Making money from gaining a large number of “likes” or “followers” on Instagram or YouTube could be a great way to showcase the benefits of blockchain technology.
Features of SocialFi
Income Generation
Many Web3 applications have implemented the DAO model to distribute profits fairly among users. The use of utility tokens within an app, such as those used by SocialFi, allows for additional functionality. Utility tokens are also common in DeFi and video games and are used to boost in-app purchases.
SocialFi platforms also have coins that represent the third tier of their economy. Users can generate their own tokens and tokens generated at the application level. Thanks to social tokens, creators now have greater control over their economies.
Rights to Digital Property and Authenticity
Picture-for-Proof (PFP) non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have gained popularity, leading to the emergence of a new form of digital identification. The Bored Ape Yacht Club, CryptoPunk, and Moonbirds collections are all examples of PFP NFTs, which are often displayed as profile pictures on social media platforms such as Twitter and NFT profiles.
While some individuals hold PFP NFTs for financial gain, others view them as an integral part of their personal identity. PFP NFTs not only protect the anonymity of the holder but also serve as an additional layer of security when using SocialFi.
To engage and retain NFT investors, groups may offer thought leadership, exclusive events, or early access to investment opportunities. Adding PFP NFTs to SocialFi could be beneficial, as they have proven successful in Discord channels.
NFTs integrated into SocialFi’s systems also allow artists to share their work with a wider audience. They can choose to distribute a portion of the profits from their NFT collection to token holders, which incentivizes their fan base to promote the collection and potentially increase sales.
Free Expression and Censorship
Many social media platforms have grappled with the issue of freedom of speech versus censorship. However, we cannot allow potentially harmful content to circulate unchecked because there is no centralized authority for censorship. This is where decentralization can be effective.
On platforms such as SocialFi, decentralization is achieved through the use of on-chain data labelling. All public content on the platform is stored on the blockchain, allowing rules engines to classify messages into appropriate categories based on their content and language. The nodes on the chain are responsible for making the final decisions on which posts to allow.
Nodes have the option to either ignore or interact with labels as they see fit. If a node supports or contributes to a harmful post, legal action may be taken against them. The decision of what is and is not allowed on the network is not solely determined by one entity within the organization. Each individual is ultimately responsible for their own actions and their consequences.
Challenges of SocialFi
SocialFi is poised for massive growth as the internet continues its march toward decentralization. However, establishing adequate infrastructure would be challenging. Daily data production at Facebook is around four petabytes. This necessitates the development of terabyte-scale storage facilities for SocialFi to operate effectively.
While current technology may be incapable of supporting a large user base, advanced infrastructure improvements are expected to help overcome this challenge.
Despite the obstacles it faces, SocialFi has the potential to add enormous practical value to the crypto and NFT sectors and revolutionize the way we communicate in ways similar to those brought about by the first generation of centralized social media platforms in the early 2000s.
What Does the Future Hold for SocialFi?
Just as yield farming and staking have taken control of liquidity away from banks, SocialFi has the potential to overtake established media in terms of content and social interactions. The use of social media to promote investment strategies using blockchain technology may just be the start of how this technology can improve existing systems.
In order to attract new users, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are implementing blockchain features such as verified NFT marketplaces, in-house cryptocurrency wallets, and NFT profile pictures. Although these billion-dollar companies have already started incorporating blockchain into social media, SocialFi’s financial aspect will require a new app and user base to be successful.
It is uncertain whether or not SocialFi will replace other platforms for social interactions, but the idea of taking back control of one’s content, moderation, and data may become a popular topic that causes people to reconsider where they spend their time online.
In Conclusion
- “SocialFi has the potential to improve online communication by rewarding users for hosting ads and fairly distributing revenue to creators. Additionally, it allows for data to be shared without the constraints of a central authority.
- If successful, SocialFi may provide a solution for users who are dissatisfied with traditional Web 2.0 social networks such as Facebook and enable them to transition to a new platform.
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