The Web3 Social Graph: Owning Your Online Identity

For the last fifteen years, digital identities have resided within closed systems, often referred to as walled gardens. Your social graph, which encompasses your friends, followers, posts, and interactions, represents a significant digital asset. However, you don't own it; major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok retain that ownership. If you choose to leave a platform, your entire social graph vanishes. Also, if the platform alters its algorithm, your reach can diminish dramatically.

The Web3 Social Graph movement aims to change this model. It seeks to establish a decentralized foundation for social media, allowing users to own and control their data rather than being at the mercy of platforms. By using open and permissionless protocols, Web3 is creating a more reliable and user-centric social media environment.

The Problems with Web2 Social Graphs

• Centralized Control: A single entity governs the entire social graph. This centralization allows for arbitrary changes to rules, content censorship, and de-platforming without recourse.
• Data Silos: Your social graph is confined to a specific platform, making it impossible to transfer connections, followers, or content to another application.
• Stifled Innovation: New social media applications face significant hurdles when competing against established platforms because they cannot access existing social graphs.

The Web3 Solution: An Open, Composable Graph

A Web3 social graph protocol distinguishes between the data layer and the application layer.

• The Protocol Layer (The Graph): This layer consists of an open, decentralized network where core social data is stored. Your identity, content, and connections are recorded on a blockchain or a decentralized network.
• The Application Layer (The Clients): Developers can create frontend applications or "clients" on top of this communal social graph, supporting a diverse ecosystem of applications that use the same underlying data. This is akin to various Twitter clients like TweetDeck, but within a decentralized framework.

Leading Web3 Social Protocols

Two prominent projects are leading the charge in building the open social graph:

1. Farcaster

• Architecture: Farcaster employs a hybrid approach that balances decentralization. Your identity exists as an NFT on the Ethereum Layer 2 network called Optimism. Posts, likes, and follows are stored off-chain within a peer-to-peer network of servers known as "Hubs."
• Ecosystem: This structure enables a rich ecosystem of clients. Warpcast stands out as the most popular client, but many others offer distinct user experiences.

2. Lens Protocol

• Architecture: Built on the Polygon blockchain, Lens adopts a fully on-chain methodology. Everything is represented as an NFT, including your profile. Following someone involves minting a "Follower NFT," and posting content allows you to "collect" it as an NFT.
• Composability: Each social action is an on-chain token, making the entire graph highly composable or programmable. Developers can create new applications that use this on-chain social data, such as a lending protocol that offers favorable loan terms based on your on-chain reputation.

Why Does This Matter?

The Web3 social graph signifies a fundamental shift in ownership and control:

• User Ownership: You own your identity, content, and audience, ensuring that no one can take them away.
• Censorship Resistance: The absence of a central server makes it nearly impossible for a single entity to censor content.
• Innovation: By establishing a shared, open data layer, Web3 reduces barriers for new developers to create new social applications, enhancing user experience.

Web3 Social Graph: Career Opportunities

Salary Overview: Social Graph Protocol Jobs

Job Title	Salary Range
Protocol Engineer (Farcaster/Lens)	Competitive salary range
Smart Contract Developer (Lens)	Competitive salary range
Product Manager (Protocol)	Competitive salary range
Community Lead/Growth	Competitive salary range
Social App Developer	Competitive salary range

Career Paths in Web3 Social Graph

Path 1: Protocol Developer (Farcaster/Lens Infrastructure) (12-20 Month Timeline)

Months 1-6: Establish a Technical Foundation

• Master technologies such as Solidity (for Lens) and Rust/TypeScript (for Farcaster).
• Study protocol architecture, social graph design, and NFT mechanics.
• Contribute to open-source protocols (GitHub pull requests).
• Network with over 20 protocol engineers.
• Build 2-3 technical demos or improvements.
• Deliverable: Expertise in protocol and code contributions.

Months 7-12: Gain Recognition

• Make substantial PR contributions to Farcaster or Lens.
• Become a recognized contributor with a proven track record.
• Expect offers from protocol teams or apply directly.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.

Months 13-20: Ascend to Core Developer

• Lead technical enhancements to the protocol.
• Transition to a senior engineer or protocol architect role.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.

Quick Wins:

• Apply for protocol grants from Lens and Farcaster foundations.
• Participate in bug bounty programs, earning rewards for security findings.

Path 2: Social App Developer (Building on Graph) (8-14 Month Timeline)

Months 1-4: Learn Social App Development

• Master React and Web3 integration with social protocols.
• Study the Lens and Farcaster ecosystems alongside existing applications.
• Build 2 social dApps on Farcaster/Lens.
• Network with over 20 social app developers.
• Deliverable: Developed apps and acquired technical skills.

Months 5-8: Launch Your App

• Deploy the app and attract users.
• Monetize through tokens, NFTs, or subscriptions.
• Expected Revenue: Varies based on app success.

Months 9-12: Scale Your User Base

• Expand user base and establish sustainable revenue.
• Seek investors for funding.
• Alternatively, secure a position at a social app company.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.

Months 13-14: Move into Leadership

• Ascend to CEO of your social app or VP of Product.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.

Quick Wins:

• Access protocol grants available for app developers.
• Pursue venture funding from seed rounds or accelerators.

Path 3: Community & Growth Lead (Building Ecosystem) (6-12 Month Timeline)

Months 1-3: Gain Ecosystem Knowledge

• Investigate the Farcaster and Lens ecosystems in depth.
• Network with over 30 builders, users, and VCs.
• Identify community needs and gaps.
• Publish 2 articles exploring the future of social graphs.
• Deliverable: Established ecosystem expertise and network.

Months 4-6: Join a Community Role

• Take a leadership role in community management at a protocol or app.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.
• Focus on growing users, builders, and partnerships.

Months 7-10: Strategize for Growth

• Become known for scaling community efforts and partnerships.
• Transition to Head of Growth or Community.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.

Months 11-12: Attain Leadership Position

• Move into a Chief Community Officer or VP of Growth role.
• Expected Compensation: Competitive salary range.

Quick Wins:

• Obtain grants for community-building programs.
• Explore revenue-sharing models through affiliate partnerships.

Why Now: The Social Graph Opportunity

Timing: Both Farcaster and Lens are in growth phases, actively seeking talent. Demand: High demand exists for builders, product managers, and community leads. Compensation: Salaries remain competitive with those in traditional tech. Impact: Contributing to the foundational social layer of Web3 presents significant opportunities.

Challenges & Solutions

Challenge 1: Early-Stage Development

• Reality: Social graph protocols are still emerging, with user bases smaller than traditional platforms.
• Solution: This represents an opportunity for early involvement with founding teams, minimal competition, and high impact.

Challenge 2: Limited Job Listings

• Reality: There are fewer "official" job postings compared to traditional tech companies.
• Solution: Engage in direct outreach to protocols like Farcaster and Lens. Join DAOs and build in public for visibility.

Challenge 3: Need for Web3 Knowledge

• Reality: Understanding protocols, smart contracts, and cryptocurrency is essential.
• Solution: Learn through resources like Alchemy University (which offers free courses). Many Web3 jobs require some learning curve.

90-Day Quick-Start Action Plan

Week 1-2:

• Choose your path (protocol developer, app builder, or community leader).
• Set up accounts on GitHub, Twitter, and Discord.
• Enroll in Alchemy University.
• Join Farcaster (using Warpcast) and Lens.

Week 3-4:

• Complete Alchemy modules.
• Deploy your first project on a testnet.
• Follow over 50 social graph builders.
• Participate in Discord communities.

Week 5-6:

• Build your first social app or contribute to a protocol.
• Publish an article on the social graph opportunity.
• Network with at least 10 builders or developers.

Week 7-12:

• Create 2-3 additional projects.
• Contribute to a protocol (e.g., PRs).
• Network with 20 key individuals in the space.
• Aim for a job offer, app funding, or grant opportunity.

Outputs after 90 days:

• 3+ projects available on GitHub.
• 1+ published articles.
• A strong network within the social graph ecosystem.
• At least 1 job offer, app funding, or grant opportunity.

Your Next Step

The social graph represents a new frontier within Web3. Opportunities abound for those interested in building protocols, applications, or communities. Engage with our job board to explore available roles.

The journey towards a fully decentralized social media ecosystem is still underway. Building an open social graph is a significant step towards creating a more equitable, user-owned internet.