Understanding Everipedia: A Blockchain-Based Encyclopedia
Everipedia is a blockchain-based online encyclopedia that presents itself as a decentralized alternative to traditional encyclopedias such as Wikipedia. Founded in 2014, it aims to democratize knowledge and provide a more user-friendly, inclusive platform for information sharing. This article will explore the key features, functions, and criticisms of Everipedia.
Key Features of Everipedia
Decentralization: Unlike Wikipedia, which is managed by a centralized organization, Everipedia utilizes blockchain technology. This decentralized model allows users to contribute and edit content without the need for a central authority.
Incentivization: Contributors can earn tokens, specifically IQ tokens, for creating and editing entries. This incentivization encourages participation and rewards users for their contributions, fostering a collaborative community.
Broad Scope: Everipedia extends its reach to cover a wider range of topics, including pop culture, current events, and niche subjects. This broad scope sets it apart from traditional encyclopedias, making it a valuable resource for a diverse audience.
User-friendly Interface: The platform is designed to be intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate and contribute. This user-friendly design enhances the user experience and encourages more people to engage with the platform.
Curation and Verification: Everipedia employs smart contracts and community-driven moderation to ensure the quality and reliability of the information presented. This ensures that the content remains trustworthy and accurate.
Purpose and Usage of Everipedia
Everipedia is used for selling space for advertorials, which are articles that look like encyclopedic entries but are actually promotional content. This advertising space is intended for business people and artists who want to promote their work. However, due to its limited readership, the effectiveness of this strategy is questionable.
According to Amir E. Aharoni's answer to What is the difference between Wikipedia and Everipedia, this form of advertising is not as effective as promoting oneself on platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram. The low number of readers and poor search engine rankings mean that content on Everipedia is not likely to receive significant traffic or visibility.
Who Can Use Everipedia?
Anyone can read Everipedia, but readers should be aware that the content is either self-promotion or information that was copied from other sources, often poorly. Contributors who wish to change the content can do so, but they need to pay to make the changes.
In my opinion, Everipedia is currently not a strong competitor to Wikipedia. While the platform aims to democratize knowledge and provide an inclusive space for information sharing, its current structure and limited readership make it less effective than traditional encyclopedias or social media platforms for self-promotion and information dissemination.
Conclusion
While Everipedia has the potential to be a valuable platform for decentralized and user-generated content, its current limitations and the preferences of its users make it less effective for certain purposes. As a blockchain-based encyclopedia, it offers unique features such as decentralization and incentivization, but its effectiveness as a source of reliable information remains in question.
For those looking to share information or promote themselves, it may be more beneficial to explore other platforms that offer broader reach and better visibility. However, for those interested in a decentralized and community-driven model of knowledge sharing, Everipedia may still be a worthwhile resource to explore.