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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about ETS

What is ETS?

ETS, short for Ethereum Tag Service, is a decentralized protocol that reimagines tagging by combining the power of blockchain, ERC-721 NFTs, and open data standards. It captures the "who, what, where, when, and why" of tagging actions in a verifiable and interoperable way, enabling a new paradigm for digital content organization and monetization.

At the heart of ETS are its key objects—Tags (CTAGs), Targets, and Tagging Records—that form the building blocks of the protocol. These interact with a set of actors, including Relayers, Taggers, Creators, and Owners, who participate in creating, propagating, and deriving value from tags and tagging. Together, these components power a decentralized ecosystem where attribution, ownership, and incentives align to foster collaboration and innovation.

See the Key Concepts section for a more detailed explanation.

How does ETS work?

ETS operates on a system where:

  • Tags are created as NFTs (CTAGs) on the blockchain, ensuring their uniqueness and ownership
  • Tagging Records are created whenever a tag is applied to content, capturing the essential who, what, where, and when
  • Applications integrate ETS through Relayers to enable tagging functionality for their users or other use cases

This creates a universal, interoperable tagging layer that can be used across any Web3 platform or application.

Why is ETS needed?

Traditional tagging systems have several drawbacks:

  • Centralization: Data is controlled by centralized entities, leading to potential censorship and gatekeeping.
  • Redundancy: Individual platforms develop and maintain their own tagging systems, wasting resources.
  • Fragmentation: Tags & tagging data are siloed within platforms, hindering cross-platform interaction and data analysis.

What are the benefits of using ETS?

  • Decentralization: ETS eliminates central control, promoting censorship resistance and wider access to tagging data.
  • Cross-Platform Interoperability: Tags can be used and shared across different platforms, creating a more connected web3 ecosystem.
  • New Revenue Streams: Tokenized tags can be owned and traded, opening new opportunities for developers and users.
  • Improved Data Integrity: Blockchain technology ensures the transparency and immutability of tagging records.

How is ETS different from ENS?

Both ETS and ENS use tokenized namespaces to connect data. However, ENS primarily focuses on one-to-one relationships between a name and a single address (like a website URL). In contrast, ETS supports many-to-many relationships, enabling a single tag to be associated with numerous pieces of content, making it suitable for versatile tagging applications.

What is a CTAG?

A CTAG (Composable Tag) is an ERC-721 non-fungible token representing a specific tag within the ETS ecosystem. Each CTAG is unique and stores information about the tag string and its origin, including the creator and relayer involved in its creation.

How are CTAGs created and distributed?

CTAGs are automatically created when a user applies a new tag to content through a relayer. Initially, newly minted CTAGs are held by ETS. The current plan involves releasing these CTAGs to the public through auctions, although a specific timeline is yet to be determined.

What is the vision for the future of ETS?

The ultimate goal of ETS is to become a universal tagging system implemented by numerous applications across the internet. By providing a standardized and decentralized infrastructure for tagging, ETS aims to create a more open, transparent, and efficient web3 experience where data ownership and value are distributed among its participants.