The Problem

Monetize yourself

In today's world, social networks have become an integral part of our daily lives. They serve not only as tools for communication and making new friends but also as platforms for running businesses. Whether it's staying connected with family and friends, expanding professional networks, or discovering new interests and communities, social media platforms play a crucial role in our everyday interactions. By creating a profile on any social network, you consent to sharing your personal information with the world. This can include details ranging from your basic contact information to your interests, preferences, and even your daily activities. Every day, over half of the global population spends an average of 2 hours and 27 minutes on social media. These platforms are designed to keep you engaged by showing content that interests you, making it almost a habit to check them frequently. However, the attention, interactions, engagement, and data generated are monetized by a few centralized entities and their shareholders. These entities often determine what content is seen the most and benefit financially from user engagement and data. This current social media landscape is known as Web2—a realm where users are the product, content is paramount, and centralization is the standard. The term "Web2" reflects a phase of the internet characterized by user-generated content, usability, and interoperability for end users. However, in this model, most users willingly provide their data to these platforms for free, which is then handed over to advertisers. Advertisers pay the platforms to access you, inundating you with daily ads, promotions, and tailored suggestions. Consequently, most of the revenue "cake" belongs to the platforms, leaving users with little to no control over their data. As social networks continue to grow, monetizing user data has become increasingly challenging. More and more users are turning into "silent" observers and mere "food" for these platforms, passively consuming content without actively contributing. This passive behavior limits genuine engagement and reduces the quality of interactions within these networks. Additionally, the constant bombardment of advertisements and the feeling of being exploited can lead to user dissatisfaction and trust issues. Thus, the need for a more transparent and user-centric approach to social networking becomes more apparent.