Open Protocols

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50 Nostr Questions

Fifty Nostr questions linked to guides on identities, relays, security, and use.

Nostr: Are my Nostr posts anonymous?

A public post is signed by a stable public key, so people can link its activity over time.

Nostr: Are Nostr direct messages private?

Privacy depends on the messaging scheme and client.

Nostr: Can a relay censor my posts?

A relay can reject, remove, or decline to show events on its own server.

Nostr: Can I change my Nostr private key?

A different private key produces a different public identity under Nostr's basic key model.

Nostr: Can I delete a Nostr post everywhere?

You can publish a NIP-09 deletion request for your own event.

Nostr: Can I edit a Nostr post after publishing it?

An ordinary signed event is immutable: changing its content changes its ID and requires a new signature.

Nostr: Can I run my own Nostr relay?

Yes.

Nostr: Can I use Nostr through Tor?

Some clients can connect to relays through Tor when configured to use a Tor proxy or a Tor-capable environment.

Nostr: Can I use the same identity in multiple Nostr clients?

Yes.

Nostr: Does NIP-05 prove someone’s real-world identity?

No.

Nostr: Do I need a Lightning wallet to use Nostr?

No.

Nostr: Do I need to pay to use a relay?

Not necessarily.

Nostr: How can I tell whether an account is impersonating someone?

Compare the full public key with a key the person has shared through a trusted channel.

Nostr: How does moderation work without one central operator?

Different clients, relays, and groups can make their own choices.

Nostr: How do follows work across clients?

A Nostr follow list is itself a signed event, defined by NIP-02.

Nostr: How do I back up my follows and relay settings?

Keep a secure record of your private-key recovery material, plus your public key, chosen relays, and any client export of follows.

Nostr: How do I choose relays?

Start with relays your client can reach reliably, then consider their rules, retention, cost, location, and support for the NIPs you use.

Nostr: How do I control who can access files I share?

Treat a public media URL as public unless the host provides real access controls or you encrypt the file before upload.

Nostr: How do I create a Nostr identity?

Choose a trustworthy Nostr client or signer and use its account-creation flow to generate a keypair.