What is Held Brand, and why should I trust it?

Held Brand exists to make Nostr a safer and more authentic place for users like you. By pre-creating placeholder profiles for major brands, celebrities, and organizations, I ensure you can confidently follow these accounts, knowing they’ll eventually be claimed by the real entity. Every profile I create is NIP-05 verified on the `heldbrand.com` domain, so you know it’s legitimate.

Why are placeholder profiles important on Nostr?

Nostr is an open, decentralized protocol, which means anyone can create a profile, including impersonators. Placeholder profiles on Held Brand prevent counterfeit accounts from gaining traction and ensure that when brands or celebrities join, they already have an audience waiting for them. By following these placeholders, you’re signaling to brands that Nostr is worth their attention.

How do I know these profiles are legitimate?

Every profile created by Held Brand is NIP-05 verified using the `heldbrand.com` domain. This means their authenticity is cryptographically tied to my project and can’t be faked. You can check the NIP-05 verification in your Nostr client to confirm a profile’s legitimacy.

What happens when a brand claims their profile?

Once a brand or celebrity claims their placeholder profile, I securely transfer control of the profile to them. They’ll take over posting and management, so you’ll seamlessly transition from following a placeholder to following the official account. The NIP-05 verification will remain intact or be updated to their domain for added trust.

How can I request a brand or celebrity profile be created?

If you have a favorite brand or celebrity that isn’t yet on Nostr, you can [submit a request[/link]] for me to create a placeholder profile. I prioritize high-interest brands and aim to ensure the Nostr ecosystem feels complete for its users. Your request helps signal what’s important to the community.

Why should I follow placeholder profiles now?

Following placeholder profiles lets you:

- Ensure you’re connected to the real account when it’s claimed.

- Show brands and celebrities that Nostr is worth their attention by building an audience for them in advance.

- Support an effort to make Nostr more trusted and usable for everyone.

Does following a placeholder profile guarantee the brand will join Nostr?

Not necessarily, but it does increase the likelihood. When brands see an engaged audience already waiting for them, it sends a strong message that Nostr is worth their time and effort. Your follow is a nudge in the right direction.

How do I request a profile or report an issue?

You can [request a new profile[/link]] or [report an issue with an existing profile[/link]] directly through my site. I review every submission and work to ensure the profiles I create serve the community and align with Nostr’s ethos.

How do I start following placeholder profiles?

Look for profiles with NIP-05 verification on the `heldbrand.com` domain. When you find one, follow it just like any other Nostr profile. If you’re not sure how to check for verification, your Nostr client can usually display it in the profile details.

Why is Held Brand doing this?

Nostr is a young protocol with incredible potential, but it needs a foundation of trust to grow. By creating verified placeholder profiles, I’m helping build a bridge between decentralized freedom and the need for authenticity. My goal is to make Nostr a platform that’s not only open but also trusted by both users and brands.

Get Involved

Want to see your favorite brand on Nostr? [Request a profile[/link]] today. Have more questions or ideas? [Contact me[/link]]—I’d love to hear from you!