# Nostr: What is Nostr?

Nostr is an open protocol for publishing signed messages through independently operated relays.

2026-08-15
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Switchboard Tech Services


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## Short answer

Nostr is an open protocol for publishing signed messages through independently operated relays. People use clients to create and read those messages, and their identity is tied to a cryptographic keypair rather than one company's account database. It supports more than social posts, but each feature depends on the clients and relays that implement it. No single app or relay represents the entire network.

## Sources

[NIP-01: Basic protocol](https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/01.md), [Nostr Improvement Proposals index](https://github.com/nostr-protocol/nips/blob/master/README.md).

- Categories:
  [Nostr](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/categories/nostr/)
- Tags:
  [#getting-started](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/getting-started/), [#Nostr](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/nostr/), [#Decentralized Social](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/decentralized-social/), [#Open Protocols](https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/tags/open-protocols/)

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Canonical URL: https://switchboardtechservices.com/guides/nostr-what-is-nostr/

Language: en-us

Content type: guide

Author: Switchboard Tech Services

Published: 2026-08-15T17:30:57+00:00

Description: A practical answer to What is Nostr?