What is a Nostr Address?

A Nostr address (also called NIP-05 identifier) is a human-readable identifier that looks like an email address, such as [email protected]. It provides a way to verify your identity and make it easier for people to find you on Nostr.

How Nostr Addresses Work

Unlike email addresses, Nostr addresses don't actually receive messages. Instead, they serve as a verification mechanism that proves you control a particular domain name and links it to your Nostr public key.

When someone enters your Nostr address, clients perform a lookup to:

1. Verify that you control the domain
2. Find your public key
3. Optionally discover your preferred relays

Benefits of Nostr Addresses

Human-Readable Identity

Instead of sharing a long public key like npub1..., you can share [email protected] which is much easier to remember and share.

Verification

A Nostr address provides social proof that you control a particular domain. This helps prevent impersonation and builds trust.

Discoverability

People can find you more easily by searching for your domain name or username.

Relay Hints

Your Nostr address can include information about which relays to find your content on.

Setting Up a Nostr Address

Option 1: Use a Service

Many services offer free Nostr addresses:

• nostrplebs.com
• iris.to
• snort.social
• current.fyi

Simply sign up and follow their instructions to link your public key.

Option 2: Use Your Own Domain

If you own a domain, you can create your own Nostr address:

1. Create a .well-known/nostr.json file on your domain
2. Add your public key and optional relay information
3. Configure your Nostr client to use this address

Example .well-known/nostr.json file:

{
  "names": {
    "derek": "npub18ams6ewn5aj2n3wt2qawzglx9mr4nzksxhvrdc4gzrecw7n5tvjqctp424"
  },
  "relays": {
    "npub18ams6ewn5aj2n3wt2qawzglx9mr4nzksxhvrdc4gzrecw7n5tvjqctp424": [
      "wss://relay.damus.io",
      "wss://relay.snort.social"
    ]
  }
}

Important Considerations

Not Required

Nostr addresses are completely optional. You can use Nostr perfectly fine without one.

Domain Dependency

If you lose control of your domain, you lose your Nostr address. However, your Nostr identity (public/private key pair) remains intact.

Privacy

Using a Nostr address may reduce your privacy since it links your Nostr identity to a domain name.

Verification Only

Remember that a Nostr address only verifies domain control, not identity. Anyone can create [email protected] if they control example.com.

Best Practices

• Choose a domain you trust and will control long-term
• Keep your private key secure - the Nostr address doesn't protect it
• Consider using a subdomain (nostr.yoursite.com) to separate your Nostr identity
• Regularly verify that your address is working correctly

Nostr addresses make Nostr more user-friendly while maintaining the protocol's decentralized nature. They're a great way to make your Nostr identity more professional and discoverable.