Fountain FM was one of the first mobile apps to promote the value-for-value model with a slick UI, providing a built-in custodial wallet for easy onboarding. The app and later website curated podcasts that enabled value4value transfer through podcasting 2.0 and also helped onboard podcasters to the monetisation model powered by Bitcoin and the Lightning Network.
Fountain quickly became a preferred interface for Bitcoiners who wanted to consume podcast content, and it didn’t hurt that they would seed your account with sats just for listening through their interface.
Podcasters could also promote their podcasts via the app, enticing listeners by offering them Bitcoin in return for their dedicated listening time, and it all started to grow into its own social media app. Podcasters were promoting their episodes, making clips, and users were leaving tips and comments, but all this activity remained within the Fountain.
Yes, some of the action was spread around since Podcasting 2.0 apps could read the feeds from Fountain and bring some of that content over, but it really wasn’t an app one would go to interact with each other, but that looks set to change.
In a development not on my bingo card for 2024 nor for the podcasting industry, Fountain has become the first podcasting client to integrate Nostr, an innovative open-source protocol.
This integration is set to transform how podcasters and their audiences interact, offering a decentralised, censorship-resistant alternative to traditional podcasting platforms.
What is Nostr?
Before we explore Fountain’s integration, let’s understand what Nostr is. Nostr, short for “Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays,” is an open-source, decentralised protocol designed for distributed communication.
While nostr can be used to distribute any type of content medium, it’s settled on its first few apps focusing on micro-blogging, basically a Twitter clone, but has expanded to other avenues like long-form blogging and even eCommerce.
Unlike traditional social media platforms or messaging apps that rely on centralised servers, Nostr operates on a network of independent relays, allowing users to post and share content without the risk of censorship or control by a single entity.
Nostr’s key features include:
- Decentralisation: No single organisation controls the network, reducing the risk of censorship and centralisation of power.
- Censorship Resistance: Content shared via Nostr is distributed across multiple relays, making it harder for any single entity to suppress or alter the content.
- Open-Source Nature: Nostr’s protocol is open to developers who want to build on it, fostering innovation and transparency.
Why Fountain’s Integration is a Milestone
Fountain’s decision to integrate Nostr is such a Tommy move, as you know from Rug Rats, just like oozing straight leadership energy for several reasons; it merges open-source money in Bitcoin, open-source payment networks in Lightning, and open-source content distribution in podcasting and nostr.
I’m sure ODELL is getting hot and heavy just thinking about all that layering of open source ain’t isn’t he?
Instead of just tacking on Nostr as a nice to have Fountain has gone all in and turned itself into a Nostr client; the latest update, v1.1 allows you to create a nostr account or use Nsec/Npub.
Previously, you had to create your account via email, which you can still do, but why would you want to have the burden of managing another separate account when you can just one-click connect with your Npub?
Having one less account to worry about isn’t just convenient; it also protects you from yourself. Every email and password combination you set up signs you up for a possible breach in the future that could result in you getting rugged.
Yes, I am talking to those of you who use the same password for every account.
So, apart from that bonus, normies won’t care too much about what exactly this musical fusion brings to the market that the average user should consider.
1. Decentralized Podcast Distribution
Podcasting, like many digital media formats, has traditionally been dominated by a few major platforms. You’re likely using Spotify, Apple Podcast, or maybe YouTube to get your content, and these platforms control distribution and monetisation and often impose restrictions on content.
What you see on those interfaces is not what exists on all podcast RSS feeds globally, they curate the experience for you, and these big tech firms are not shy to shadow-ban your ass when it’s convenient for them.
Using the new Fountain
- You can bring your existing profile and followers to Fountain
- Your boosts and comments will surface in other Nostr clients
- Posts shared from other Nostr clients relating to audio will appear in your feed
- Conversation and interactions now flow freely across multiple apps
By integrating Nostr, Fountain enables a more decentralised approach to podcast distribution. This means podcasters have greater control over their content and can reach their audience without relying on centralised intermediaries. It allows the community and users to amplify the reach of a podcast instead of big tech blogs.
2. Enhanced Censorship Resistance
One of the primary benefits of Nostr is its resistance to censorship. In an era where content moderation policies can sometimes be opaque or restrictive, Fountain’s use of Nostr ensures that podcasters can share their content without fear of unwarranted removal or suppression.
This is particularly important for independent creators and those discussing niche or controversial topics. While one client could mute or hide posts, it doesn’t mean all clients will be, so discussions on topics won’t be so one-sided, as users can opt to see all the opinions expressed through nostr.
3. Improved Audience Engagement
Nostr’s decentralised nature allows for more direct interaction between podcasters and their listeners. Fountain’s integration of Nostr can facilitate new forms of engagement, such as real-time feedback and direct communication. Listeners can interact with podcasters in a more open and transparent manner, fostering a stronger community around podcast content.
4. Innovation and Open Development
By adopting an open-source protocol like Nostr, Fountain is not only embracing a new technological approach but also contributing to a larger ecosystem of innovation.
The open-source nature of Nostr encourages developers to create new features and applications that can further enhance the podcasting experience. This collaborative spirit can lead to rapid advancements and new opportunities for both creators and listeners.
5. Future-Proofing Podcasting
The podcasting landscape is constantly evolving, and Fountain’s integration of Nostr comes at quite an opportune time. As of this month, Google has decided to shut down its podcast.google.com domain and merge it with YouTube.
While Google Podcasts might not be the most popular service when it comes to podcasts, it was a Google product, so Google would naturally serve its version of podcasts to users through search.
Now, Google hasn’t done much with these feeds.
Sure, they allowed you to curate your feed, but that’s all you’ll be losing. But imagine if they had an interactive option with reactions and comments. All of that would have gone the way of the dodo, but with nostr, even if a client dies, the content lives on as long as there are relays willing to store and serve it
As digital media continues to grow and change, having a decentralised infrastructure ensures that Fountain remains adaptable and resilient against potential disruptions or shifts in the industry.
How nostr powered Fountain works
For those curious about the technical aspects, here’s a simplified overview of how Fountain’s integration of Nostr works:
- Connect or create a Nostr profile. Create or import a Nostr account in the Fountain app. To find previous follows, tap the icon in the top right on the home screen.
- Share your boosts and comments on Nostr. When you boost or comment on Fountain, your message will be shared on Nostr with a Fountain link. Other Nostr clients can see, interact, and follow you. You can choose to share your activity on Nostr each time you boost or comment; if not, it remains visible only on Fountain.
- A new and improved home feed. The Fountain home feed is now Nostr’s audio layer. Switch between Following and Global feeds, or filter by podcast or music content.
- Audio posts from Nostr clients now appear in Fountain. Audio links posted on Nostr clients like Primal will appear in the Fountain home feed. Indexed podcasts or music render as playable content cards with comments.
- Zaps. Listeners on Fountain and other Nostr clients can “zap” your post to send payments, replacing the earlier “likes.” Likes are still available and are now free.
- Mentions. Mention others in comments by typing @ followed by their username to send recommendations or tag them in conversations.
Nostr has a new client in town
Fountain’s integration of Nostr shows that the protocol isn’t a one-trick pony, and with a little ingenuity and craftsmanship, you can find ways to integrate it into your app.
Fountain is setting a new standard for how podcasts are distributed and consumed. This move not only empowers podcasters with greater control and freedom but also enriches the listener experience with more robust and direct engagement. For podcasters and listeners alike, this integration promises a more open, resilient, and interactive podcasting ecosystem.
Also, I’m sure this is only the beginning, so stay tuned for more updates and explore the exciting possibilities that Fountain and Nostr bring to the world of podcasting!
Do your own research.
If you want to learn more about Fountain 1.1, use this article as a starting point. Don’t trust what we say as the final word. Take the time to research other sources, and you can start by checking out the resources below.
