Have we grown passive as we mindlessly scroll through our social feeds? Liking content and tracking the number of followers amassed isn’t as effective as it used to be. We are bombarded with ads based on what we view instead of what we own.

As we move further into the new phase of the internet in Web3, ownership will be the main driving force. The “like” will be replaced by the “collect.”

Here are five ways why collecting will be more effective:

1. We have become numb to the thumb. Likes may bring some awareness, but their primary purpose is lackluster in the noise of our social feeds.

2. Evidence of support: To collect an article, video, image, etc., as evidence of support. By collecting either for a price or for free, we can prove ownership of what we believe in, support, and enjoy.

3. More control: Content creators can monetize their work directly from fans. Intermediaries no longer control payments and algorithms.

4. Advertise to social signals: The content collected provides a social signal of what you enjoy. Advertising to the content (instead of personal data) is less invasive.

5. Find your people: Communities of people who have collected the same content have something in common to discuss, share, and engage. Creators can build in public and receive direct feedback from their collectors.

What will this look like?

Mirror.xyz

One example is Mirror.xyz, a Web3 blogging platform. Writers post their articles for free. If the reader enjoys the piece, it is collected and held in the reader’s wallet.

The writer has the option for it to be collected for free or to sell it at a price.

Limiting the number of copies available creates a demand, especially if it is a sought-after piece. The reader could then sell it on the secondary market and provide the author a royalty on the resale.

Wallet marketing

Your experience scrolling through social feeds or viewing videos will change if you pay for the content you enjoy. Plus, you can create different personas with wallets based on the type of content you collect.

One wallet could be for your interest in games, while another is for fashion. Companies will then focus their marketing efforts on the wallet instead of your address, age, or online movements.

Try it for yourself

We are slowly adding these concepts into our Web2 experiences. To understand and enjoy the benefits of a decentralized Web3 world, we must get out there to test and experiment.

Want to try Mirror and collect your first article? Visit my page  and collect this article yourself.

As you scroll through your feeds, pay attention to what you like. What would it take for you to buy that post for a few cents or even a few dollars/crypto? How will your online experience change?

That’s the fun part of this Web3 journey.