Zaps: Tips on Nostr

Learn how to send and receive Bitcoin tips (zaps) on Nostr using the Lightning Network

What are Zaps? ⚡

Zaps are Bitcoin tips sent over the Lightning Network. They’re the native value layer of Nostr—allowing users to reward content they love with real money.

Think of them as “likes with value”—a way to support people whose content you enjoy.

How Zaps Work

1. You create good content → A post, thread, or reply
2. Someone enjoys it → They click the ⚡ zap button
3. They send satoshis → Tiny amounts of Bitcoin (1000 sats = ~$0.30)
4. You receive instantly → Money appears in your wallet
5. Everyone sees it → Zaps are public and create social proof

Why Zaps Are Revolutionary

Traditional Social Media:

• Likes are free and worthless
• Platform keeps all ad revenue
• Creators get nothing
• Engagement is hollow

Nostr with Zaps:

• Every like can have real value
• No platform takes a cut
• Direct creator support
• Meaningful engagement

Real Examples

• Developer receives 100,000 sats ($30) for fixing a bug
• Artist gets zapped for sharing their work
• Writer earns Bitcoin for insightful threads
• Meme creator gets tips for viral content

The Value-for-Value Model

Traditional Social Media:              Nostr:
┌──────────────────┐                 ┌──────────────────┐
│ Free to post     │                 │ Free to post     │
│ Free to read     │                 │ Free to read     │
│ Attention = $$$  │                 │ Attention = ⚡   │
│ (for platform)   │                 │ (for creator)    │
└──────────────────┘                 └──────────────────┘

How Zaps Appear

In supported clients, zaps show up as:

• ⚡ Lightning bolt icons
• Amount zapped (e.g., “21 sats”)
• Running totals on posts
• Special notifications when you receive them

┌────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Alice                              │
│ "Just published my new article!"   │
│                                    │
│ [❤️ 12] [💬 3] [⚡ 5,420 sats]     │
│                                    │
│ ⚡ Bob zapped 1,000 sats           │
│ ⚡ Carol zapped 500 sats           │
└────────────────────────────────────┘

Not Required!

💡 Important: Zaps are completely optional. You can use Nostr for free forever without ever sending or receiving a single satoshi.

Wallet Setup 💼

Before you can send or receive zaps, you need a Lightning wallet.

Recommended Wallets

For Beginners

Alby (Browser Extension)

• Easy setup
• Great Nostr integration
• Works in web clients
• getalby.com

Phoenix (Mobile)

• User-friendly
• Self-custodial
• iOS and Android
• phoenix.acinq.co

For Advanced Users

Zeus (Mobile)

• Connect to your own node
• Full control
• Power user features
• zeusln.app

Mutiny (Web/Mobile)

• Self-custodial in browser
• No app store needed
• app.mutinywallet.com

Custodial vs Non-Custodial

Custodial (Alby, Wallet of Satoshi)

• ✅ Easy setup
• ✅ Lower fees
• ❌ They hold your funds
• ❌ KYC may be required

Non-Custodial (Phoenix, Zeus, Mutiny)

• ✅ You control your keys
• ✅ Better privacy
• ❌ Slightly more complex
• ❌ Higher on-chain fees

💡 Recommendation: Start with Alby for web use + Phoenix for mobile. Upgrade to non-custodial as you get comfortable.

Option 3: Wallet of Satoshi (Easiest)

Best for: Complete beginners who want simplicity

Pros:

• No setup required
• Just download and go
• Lightning address included
• Works immediately

Cons:

• Not your keys, not your coins
• Requires trust in provider
• Limits on withdrawals

Platform: iOS, Android

Connecting Your Wallet

Step-by-Step: Alby + Web Client

1. Install Alby Extension

   • Chrome/Firefox: getalby.com
   • Create account or use existing

2. Get Your Connection String

   • Alby Dashboard → API Keys
   • Or: Profile → Nostr Wallet Connect

3. Connect to Client

   • In your Nostr client (Primal, Iris, etc.)
   • Settings → Wallet → Connect
   • Paste connection string

4. Test with a Small Zap

   • Find a post you like
   • Click ⚡ button
   • Send 10 sats

Step-by-Step: Phoenix + Mobile Client

1. Download Phoenix

   • App Store / Play Store
   • Create wallet (backup seed phrase!)

2. Fund Your Wallet

   • Buy Bitcoin or receive from elsewhere
   • Need at least 10,000 sats to start

3. Get LNURL or Lightning Address

   • Phoenix → Receive → Lightning Address
   • Copy yourname@phoenix.wallet or LNURL

4. Add to Nostr Profile

   • Client → Profile → Edit
   • Paste Lightning Address

Step-by-Step: Wallet of Satoshi + Mobile Client

1. Download Wallet of Satoshi

   • Go to app store (iOS/Android)
   • Search “Wallet of Satoshi”
   • Download and install
   • Open the app (no account needed!)

2. Get Your Lightning Address

   • Tap “Receive”
   • Look for your Lightning address
   • It looks like: username@walletofsatoshi.com
   • Write this down—you’ll need it

3. Add to Your Nostr Profile

   • Open your Nostr client (Damus, Amethyst, Iris, etc.)
   • Go to Edit Profile
   • Find “Lightning Address” or “LN Address” field
   • Paste your address
   • Save changes

4. Verify It Works

   • Look for ⚡ icon on your profile
   • Ask a friend to send you a test zap (100 sats)
   • Check your wallet—should receive instantly
   • You should see zap notification in your client

Sending Zaps 💸

How to Zap a Post

1. Find a post you like
2. Tap the ⚡ button
3. Choose amount or enter custom
4. Add message (optional)
5. Confirm and send!

Zap Amounts Etiquette

Quick reference:

💡 Rule of thumb: Zap what the content is worth to you. No amount is too small!

Custom Messages

Most clients let you add a message with your zap:

"Thanks for the help!"
"Great thread, learned a lot"
"☕ Coffee's on me"

This personalizes the interaction and helps creators know what content resonates.

Receiving Zaps 💰

Setting Up LNURL

To receive zaps, you need to configure where they go:

1. Get your Lightning Address or LNURL

   • From your wallet (Alby, Phoenix, etc.)
   • Format: yourname@provider.com

2. Add to Your Profile

   Client → Profile → Edit → Lightning Address
   Paste: yourname@getalby.com

3. Verify it works

   • Ask a friend to send you 10 sats
   • Or use a testnet faucet

Zap Notifications

In most clients:

• Push notification when zapped
• Notification tab shows zap history
• Can see who zapped you

Privacy note: Zaps are semi-public. While amounts can be private in some setups, the fact that you zapped (or were zapped) is visible.

Zap Splits [ADVANCED]

What are Zap Splits?

When someone zaps your post, automatically split the payment with collaborators:

Example: Podcast Episode
├── 70% → Host (you)
├── 20% → Producer
└── 10% → Editor

Setting Up Splits

1. In your client: Look for “Zap Splits” or “Recipients”
2. Add collaborators: Enter their Lightning addresses
3. Set percentages: Must total 100%
4. Save: Future zaps auto-split

Common Use Cases

• Podcasts: Split between host and guests
• Collaborative posts: Share with co-authors
• Art: Split with inspiration sources
• Open source: Fund dependencies

Zap Analytics 📊

Tracking your zap activity:

For Creators

• Total zaps received: Lifetime and time period
• Top zapped content: Which posts earn most
• Zap velocity: Rate of incoming zaps

Tools:

• Most clients show basic stats
• zaplife.lol - Detailed analytics
• nostrudel.ninja - Advanced stats

For Supporters

• Total zapped: How much you’ve given
• Zap leaderboard: Who you’ve supported most
• Impact tracking: See your contribution

Creator Best Practices

Maximizing Zap Support

1. Create Value

• Educational content
• Unique insights
• Entertainment
• Helpful tools/resources

2. Be Consistent

• Post regularly
• Build trust over time
• Quality over quantity

3. Acknowledge Supporters

• Thank people who zap
• Reply to comments
• Build relationships

4. Signal Value

• “Zaps welcome” occasionally
• Show appreciation
• Don’t beg or demand

5. Diversify Income

• Don’t rely solely on zaps
• Offer paid content/subscriptions
• Build products/services
• Accept direct donations

Tax Considerations

General principles:

• Zaps may be taxable income
• Keep records of receipts
• Convert to fiat = taxable event in most places
• Bitcoin held = capital gains when sold

Tools:

• Koinly, CoinTracker for tracking
• Export wallet history regularly
• Document everything

Troubleshooting Zaps 🔧

“Zap button doesn’t work”

• Check wallet is connected (Settings → Wallet)
• Ensure you have sufficient balance
• Try reloading the client

”Wallet won’t connect”

• Verify your connection string is correct
• Check that your wallet is unlocked
• Some wallets need to be “online” (Phoenix)

“Zaps not showing up”

• Zaps take a few seconds to process
• Some clients batch notifications
• Check your wallet directly for confirmation

”Can’t receive zaps”

• Verify your Lightning address is in your profile
• Test with a small amount first
• Ensure your wallet is running (non-custodial)

Best Practices

Do:

• ✅ Zap content that provides value
• ✅ Add a friendly message
• ✅ Start small while learning
• ✅ Support newcomers with welcome zaps
• ✅ Keep some sats in your wallet

Don’t:

• ❌ Feel pressured to zap
• ❌ Zap more than you can afford
• ❌ Expect zaps in return
• ❌ Spam low-quality content expecting zaps
• ❌ Forget to backup your wallet seed

Resources

• Lightning Network Info
• Alby Documentation
• Zaplife - Zap Analytics
• ZapSplits Tool

Community

Join the zapping community:

• Use #zap tag to discuss
• Follow #plebchain for tips
• Share your Lightning Address in your bio

Quick Reference

Zap Amounts:

• 21 sats = Minimum viable zap
• 100 sats = Standard “thank you”
• 1000 sats = “This was valuable”
• 10000+ sats = Exceptional content

Remember: Every sat counts. Don’t worry about amounts—support good content generously!

Test Your Zap Knowledge

Ready to test what you’ve learned about zaps?