Lens Protocol is a blockchain-based open-source social graph created to restructure the concepts of social media in the web 3 era.

The Lens protocol project was announced in early 2022 and has since attracted attention from the blockchain and crypto communities, mainly due to the revolutionary nature of the social networking products and the Aave team behind its development.

In web 2, social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook use social graphs to establish interconnections among users only in a centralized way. A social graph represents interconnections among people or groups in a social network. Social media platforms that use social graphs store the information in a centralized manner, meaning users of the social media platforms do not own the information used on the platform.

The Lens Protocol project’s introduction has led to a decentralized social graph that allows users to own and have complete control of their information in web3.

How does it work?

Lens Protocol social graph is created through a graph database (GDB). A GDB uses graph structures that include nodes, edges, and other properties that record data.

Lens Protocol smart contract-based social graph is different from the centralized social graph. Access to data in the latter is only available to the centralized services. Users looking to integrate with the services are not given access to it. Data silos are used in creating social graphs, which means other applications willing to interact with the platform do not have access to data. It also means that the centralized services platform can be subject to a single point of failure, where it can be rendered unusable if the server becomes inaccessible.

Conversely, Lens Protocol uses an open-source, decentralized, and composable social graph, which can be easily used by creators who want to create their own social media platform on web3. Users’ profiles are stored on the Polygon PoS layer 2 solution. Also, the platform can be used with crypto wallets like MetaMask, Argent, and Gnosis Safe, which spurs interoperability across platforms.     

Two major concepts make the Lens protocol unique: the Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and modularity. Creating users’ profiles as NFTs is central to the Lens protocol. The decentralized social network members can create, maintain and own their content represented through NFTs.

Modularity as a concept in Lens protocol refers to creativeness, accessibility, and connectivity. In other words, the Lens protocol social graph is open to any innovative creator willing to introduce and implement new features. At the same time, community members can decide to endorse them by agreeing upon which features to incorporate in the most decentralized and open manner. Therefore, this mechanism makes it possible for new social media networks to emerge with no central actor controlling the information.

Benefits of the Lens Protocol

Lens Protocol seeks to correct some defects in the current social media ecosphere, which it is gradually achieving, continuously gaining a base of dedicated participants of the web3-ready community.

The Lens Protocol is freely accessible and usable by anyone interested in creating a new social media platform.

Also, the Lens protocol permissionless network enables a censorship-resistance environment that disables third parties and centralized authorities from removing or censoring any content or profile.

Users have full rights and complete ownership of their content and data. They can use them on any social media platform or DApp built on the protocol.

How to setup a Lens protocol account 

• To get started, click on the “claim handle” icon on the website

• Click on “add Polygon mainnet” to switch the wallet to the polygon network. 
• Once this is done, click on “connect wallet.”
• After this has been done, click on “check claimable handles” This generates a handle. 
• Click on the handle and click continue. 
• Then the account is created. You will have to set up your profile by adding an NFT which will require wallet authentication.
•  From this stage follow the prompts until you click on “FINISH”
• To authenticate the setup, a final wallet authentication will be required. 

NB: Currently, only addresses affiliated with an open letter signature are eligible at this time to claim their handles and continue the profile setup.   

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