Nostr Beginner's Guide: Censorship-Resistant Social Media That Pays You in Bitcoin

Introduction

Imagine a social media platform where:

• Nobody can censor you or ban your account
• You earn Bitcoin for posting quality content
• You own your identity and data completely
• There are no algorithms manipulating what you see
• You can tip creators instantly with Bitcoin

That's Nostr. It's a decentralized protocol that's become the social network of choice for Bitcoiners who value free speech, privacy, and censorship resistance. And yes, you can actually earn real Bitcoin just by posting.

In this complete beginner's guide, I'll show you how to set up Nostr on both mobile and desktop, connect your Lightning wallet to send and receive sats, secure your account properly, and start earning Bitcoin through "zaps" (Lightning tips).

What is Nostr?

Nostr stands for "Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays." It's not a company, app, or website—it's an open protocol that anyone can build on.

Key features:

• Censorship Resistant - No central authority can ban you or delete your posts
• Identity Portability - Your identity works across all Nostr apps (called "clients")
• Bitcoin Integration - Built-in Lightning Network support for instant Bitcoin payments
• No Algorithm - See what you want, when you want (though some clients offer trending feeds)
• Value for Value - Reward creators directly with Bitcoin tips called "zaps"

How it works:

Instead of one company controlling your data (like Twitter/X), your posts are published to multiple independent "relays" (servers). Even if one relay censors you, your content still exists on others. You control your identity through cryptographic keys, not a username controlled by a company.

Part 1: Setting Up Nostr on Mobile

We'll use Primal as our Nostr client. It's beginner-friendly, has a clean interface, and supports all the features we need.

Step 1: Download Primal

1. Search for "Primal" in your app store (iOS or Android)
2. Download and install
3. Open the app

Step 2: Create Your Account

1. Tap Create Account
2. Enter your Display Name (e.g., "BitcoinTest")
3. Add an About Me (optional)
4. Tap Next

Step 3: Select Your Interests

Choose topics you're interested in:

• Bitcoin (obviously)
• Memes
• Photography
• Podcasts
• Philosophy
• Whatever interests you

Nostr is heavily Bitcoin-oriented, but there's content about everything.

Step 4: Follow Recommended Users

Primal will suggest accounts to follow based on your interests. You can:

• Keep the recommended follows
• Customize by reviewing each category
• Add/remove as you go

Pro tip: Follow everyone initially. You can always unfollow later. More follows = more content in your feed.

Tap Create Account when ready.

Step 5: Skip the Primal Wallet (For Now)

When prompted to "Activate Wallet," tap I'll do this later.

The Primal wallet only works in certain regions (mainly US). We'll connect a better wallet option in a minute.

Understanding Your Nostr Keys

This is critical. Your Nostr identity is controlled by two keys:

• NPUB (Public Key) - Like your username. Share this with anyone. People use it to find and follow you.
• NSEC (Private Key) - Like your password, but way more important. NEVER share this. Anyone with your NSEC controls your account completely.

To find your keys:

1. Tap your profile icon
2. Go to Settings
3. Tap Keys
4. Your Public Key (NPUB) is safe to share
5. Your Private Key (NSEC) is hidden—keep it that way

Understanding the Nostr Feed

Nostr doesn't have an algorithm like Twitter (by default). Here are your feed options in Primal:

• Latest - Chronological posts from people you follow
• Latest with Replies - Posts from people you follow plus their replies to others
• Trending 24 Hours - Most popular posts in the last 24 hours (this is basically an algorithm)

Why the Trending feed matters:

This is where you discover new people and see what's getting engagement. I've seen posts earn:

• 2,200 sats for a popular post
• 9,700 sats for trending content
• 10,000 sats for quality photos

Yes, people are earning real Bitcoin just for posting good content.

The Follow Strategy: Build Your Feed

Since there's no algorithm forcing content on you, you need to follow enough people to have an active feed.

My recommended strategy:

1. Start by following 200-500 people
2. Find good accounts to copy follows from:
   • Search for active Nostr users (like me: Forest Total)
   • Click on their Following list
   • Follow everyone they follow
3. Clean up later:
   • As you use Nostr, unfollow accounts posting content you don't like
   • Keep refining until your feed is exactly what you want

How to mass-follow:

1. Go to an active user's profile
2. Tap Following
3. Scroll through and tap Follow on accounts you don't already follow
4. Repeat with other active users

This gives you an instant active feed. You'll unfollow the noise naturally over time.

Connecting Your Lightning Wallet

To send and receive Bitcoin on Nostr, you need a Lightning wallet. We'll use CoinOS because it's:

• Easy to set up
• No KYC required
• Works in most countries
• Free to use

Step 1: Create a CoinOS Account

1. On your phone, go to coinos.io
2. Tap Register
3. Choose a username and password (or use random generation)
4. Create your account

Step 2: Get Your Lightning Address

1. In CoinOS, tap the hamburger menu (three lines)
2. Copy your Lightning Address (format: yourusername@coinos.io)

Step 3: Add Lightning Address to Nostr

1. Back in Primal, go to your Profile
2. Tap Edit Profile
3. Paste your Lightning address in the Bitcoin Lightning Address field
4. Tap Save Profile

You can now receive zaps!

Step 4: Connect CoinOS for Sending Zaps

1. In CoinOS, tap the hamburger menu
2. Go to Settings → Nostr
3. Copy your NWC (Nostr Wallet Connect) string
4. Back in Primal, tap your profile icon
5. Go to Settings → Wallet
6. Toggle off Primal Wallet
7. Paste your NWC string
8. Tap Connect

You can now send and receive zaps!

Step 5: Fund Your Wallet

Send a small amount of Bitcoin to your CoinOS wallet:

1. In CoinOS, tap Receive
2. Select Lightning or Bitcoin (onchain)
3. Copy the address or invoice
4. Send Bitcoin from your main wallet

Start with 1,000-10,000 sats to test zapping.

How to Zap (Tip) on Nostr

Zapping is how you reward great content with instant Bitcoin payments.

To zap a post:

1. Find a post you like
2. Tap the lightning bolt icon
3. Choose your zap amount (or use default)
4. Optionally add a message
5. Confirm

The creator receives Bitcoin instantly.

Customize your zap amounts:

1. Go to Settings → Zaps
2. Set your default amount (e.g., 21 sats, 100 sats)
3. Create custom zap presets

Example zap amounts:

• 21 sats - "Nice post"
• 100 sats - "Great content"
• 1,000 sats - "This is amazing"
• 10,000+ sats - "You changed my perspective"

When you zap someone, it shows publicly on the post. It's both a payment and a form of engagement, like a "super like."

Part 2: Setting Up Nostr on Desktop

Desktop Nostr is powerful for longer posts and easier browsing. Here's how to set it up securely.

Step 1: Install a Nostr Extension

We'll use NOS2X, which securely stores your private key so you don't have to paste it into every website.

For Chrome/Brave:

1. Go to the Chrome Web Store
2. Search for "NOS2X"
3. Click Add to Chrome
4. Click Add Extension

Step 2: Import Your Private Key

1. Click the NOS2X extension icon
2. Click Start Here
3. Paste your NSEC (private key from mobile)
4. Click Save

Security note: Your NSEC is now stored locally in the extension. The extension will sign events without exposing your key to websites.

Step 3: Access Primal on Desktop

1. Go to primal.net
2. You'll see a popup from NOS2X asking to authorize
3. Check Authorize forever (for convenience)
4. Click Authorize

You're now logged into your Nostr account on desktop!

Step 4: Connect Your Wallet on Desktop

1. Click your profile icon
2. Go to Settings → Connected Wallets
3. Click Connect through Nostr Wallet Connect
4. In a new tab, go to coinos.io and log in
5. Go to Settings → Nostr
6. Copy your NWC string
7. Back in Primal, paste the NWC string
8. Click Connect
9. Authorize when prompted

Step 5: Test Zapping

1. Find a post on your feed
2. Click the lightning bolt
3. Choose an amount
4. Click Zap

The first few times, NOS2X will ask you to authorize different types of events (posting, zapping, etc.). Check "Authorize forever" for each to streamline future actions.

Testing Your Setup

Let's make sure everything works:

Test 1: Post something

1. Type "Hello World" or similar
2. Click Post
3. Authorize with NOS2X if prompted
4. Check that it appears in your feed

Test 2: Zap from mobile

1. On your phone, find your desktop post
2. Zap it with a small amount
3. Check that it shows up on desktop

Test 3: Zap from desktop

1. On desktop, find someone else's post
2. Zap them
3. Check that the zap went through

If all three work, you're fully set up!

Finding Your NPUB (Public Key)

To share your Nostr identity with others:

On Mobile:

1. Go to your profile
2. Tap the share icon
3. Copy or share your NPUB

On Desktop:

1. Click your profile
2. Click the share button next to your name
3. Copy your NPUB or show the QR code

Share your NPUB anywhere—it's safe to post publicly. Anyone can paste it into any Nostr client to find and follow you.

Earning Bitcoin on Nostr

Here's the reality: you can actually earn meaningful Bitcoin on Nostr.

What I've earned:

I posted photos from a walk and earned nearly 10,000 sats. People regularly earn:

• 2,000-10,000 sats for trending posts
• 500-2,000 sats for quality replies
• 100-500 sats for good memes or insights

What gets zapped:

• Insightful Bitcoin commentary
• Educational content
• High-quality photos
• Funny memes
• Helpful tutorials
• Thoughtful philosophy

Value for Value model:

If someone gets value from your post, they can immediately send you value (sats). No middleman, no ads, no algorithm deciding who gets paid. Just direct creator-to-audience relationships.

Important Security Reminders

Best practice:

• Keep most Bitcoin in cold storage (hardware wallet)
• Keep 10,000-100,000 sats in CoinOS for zapping
• Withdraw earned zaps to cold storage periodically

Why Nostr Matters

Censorship Resistance:

If Twitter bans you, you lose everything. If one Nostr relay blocks you, you still exist on hundreds of others. You can even run your own relay.

Identity Ownership:

Your identity (NPUB) works everywhere. Switch clients anytime without losing followers or content.

No Ads, No Algorithm:

See what you want. Support creators directly. No corporation extracting value from your attention.

Bitcoin-Native:

Instant global payments built in. No payment processors, no banks, no borders. Just peer-to-peer value transfer.

This is how the internet should work: open, permissionless, censorship-resistant, and value-aligned with users, not advertisers.

Exploring Other Nostr Clients

Now that you understand the basics with Primal, explore other clients:

• Damus (iOS) - Clean, simple interface
• Amethyst (Android) - Feature-rich
• Coracle (Web) - Privacy-focused
• Nostrudel (Web) - Advanced features
• Snort (Web) - Fast and minimal

Your NPUB and content work across ALL of them. Try different clients to find your favorite.

Common Issues & Solutions

"I can't see much content"

→ Follow more people (aim for 200+)

"My zaps aren't working"

→ Check your CoinOS balance and NWC connection

"I lost my NSEC"

→ You'll need to create a new account (this is why backups matter)

"Nostr seems slow"

→ Try different relays in Settings → Network

"How do I unfollow someone?"

→ Go to their profile and tap/click Unfollow

Conclusion

Nostr represents what social media should be: open, permissionless, and aligned with users rather than advertisers. You own your identity, control your data, and can earn Bitcoin for creating value.

It's not perfect—it's still early, and there are rough edges. But the core principles are sound:

• Censorship resistance
• User sovereignty
• Direct creator-to-audience relationships
• Bitcoin-native payments

If you're tired of algorithmic feeds, deplatforming risks, and corporate control of your online identity, Nostr is the alternative you've been waiting for.

Join me on Nostr and let's build this network together. Post quality content, zap good posts, and help create the social media platform we deserve.