Odysee is a video hosting and streaming platform many people consider an excellent alternative to YouTube. However, unlike YouTube (and other similar platforms), it promises its users more freedom and independence.
Odysee is a relatively new platform, but it has quickly become one of the most popular, with an estimated 7 million monthly active users. But before you join these millions of users, there are a few things you might want to know first.
Below are some interesting facts about Odysee, including how the platform works, costs, operating principles, and more.
1. It is powered by blockchain technology and uses a decentralized network
One of the most interesting things about Odysee is that it is powered by LBRY (pronounced as “library”), a blockchain technology. LBRY is to Odysee what WordPress is to websites; it provides a framework for the video hosting and streaming platform.
The LBRY blockchain technology allows Odysee to operate as a decentralized platform, unlike YouTube and similar platforms where all content is centralized in one network.
The LBRY uses BitTorrent technology to work. Therefore, when users upload content to the network, it is encrypted, split, and stored in several nodes worldwide, which circulate it, thus keeping it alive online.
The LBRY blockchain network then retains metadata (of the content) and information on where to find the content. Odysee then provides users with a centralized platform from which they can view the content that has been uploaded to the LBRY blockchain.
When viewing the content, the LBRY client on a user device automatically assembles the split pieces of the content before decrypting them, thus allowing it to be streamed.
2. It is a free platform but offers premium membership
Odysee is a free, open-source video hosting and sharing platform. Therefore, you can access the platform via the website at odysee.com or the Odysee app (Android and iOS) and enjoy countless videos for free.
You can also sign up for an Odysee account (for free), which can grant you more features like:
- Uploading content to Odysee
- Posting articles to Odysee
- Creating Odysee channels
- An Odysee wallet where you can store and manage your cryptocurrency coins and tokens.
- Ability to sync your YouTube channel(s) to your Odysee account.
- A creator analytics tool to offer you insights and help you manage your content.
- A livestream section where you can broadcast your content live.
- A membership feature where you can create a membership for your channel, which users can subscribe to.
Odysee also offers a subscription-based option (Odysee Premium), which offers more features for a price.
Currently, Odysee has two premium plans:
- Odysee Premium for $11.88 annually
- Odysee Premium+ for $32.89 annually or $2.99 monthly
The Odysee Premium plans come with all the free features offered on the platform plus some extra perks like:
- An Odysee badge on your channel
- Automatic credits confirmation
- Automatic credit confirmations for earned rewards
- Ability to post hyperlinks and images in video comments.
- Early and exclusive access to new features
3. It operates on an anti-censorship principle
Odysee prides itself as a platform for promoting free speech, and thus has a very strong anti-censorship model.
One way the platform reduces censorship is by using a decentralized library. Since all content uploaded on the platform is stored on several decentralized nodes, nobody (including on the Odysee side) can take down the content.
Thus, the Odysee model differs greatly from centralized network platforms like YouTube, where administrators often moderate the content.
Odysee’s stance on freedom of speech and anti-censorship can be found in its community guidelines:
“We don’t care about what you publish, livestream, comment, or include in channel descriptions for the most part.”
But while the Odysee does not usually censor or moderate content, it does block certain types of content like:
- Illegal content
- Content that doxes users and other individuals.
- Content that incites violence and hatred based on nationality, ethnicity, race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc.
- Content that promotes terrorism, violence, and criminal activity
- Bullying content against “persons not well known within the public sphere.”
- Torture, gore, violence, animal abuse, and self-harm content.
- Content that shames, deceives, or insults a minor.
Note: Once content is uploaded to the LBRY blockchain, it cannot be removed. Therefore, Odysee only blocks content that violates community guidelines from all its applications; the content will still be on the LBRY network but not visible to Odysee users.
In addition to restricting the type of content that can be posted on the platform, Odysee offers content moderation tools, which creators can use to moderate user comments on their videos.
4. It promotes intellectual property rights
Given Odysee’s anti-censorship and freedom of speech principles, one might assume that the platform is a hotbed of copyright-infringing content. However, Odysee is very committed to promoting intellectual property rights.
One way Odysee does this is by banning pirated content. The platform is very clear in its community guidelines that it does not support or allow copyright-infringing content.
In addition, copyright owners can submit DMCA requests if they find their content posted illegally on the platform. Odysee then validates the request, at which point it blocks access to the content on the platform.
Besides blocking copyright infringement, Odysee also provides content creators (on the platform) with an easy way of proving copyrights for their work.
This is via the LBRY blockchain, which automatically records data on content, making it easy for creators to prove ownership.
5. You can monetize your content on Odysee
Like YouTube, Odysee content creators can monetize their content and earn money. However, the content monetization model differs greatly from YouTube and similar platforms.
First, Odysee does not have ads, so there is no ad revenue. However, creators get paid credits (LBRY cryptocurrency coins) for each view from a verified user. Users can also tip creators after watching their content.
Besides viewing credits, content creators on the platform can also create paywalls for their content, where they can set their content for purchase or rent. Therefore, creators can earn money directly for their content.
Lastly, Odysee users can also earn money on the platform as rewards for performing various tasks, for example, watching videos.
Odysee pros
The Odysee platform has various advantages, including:
- The decentralized nature of the platform offers content creators more data security.
- It promotes free speech by allowing content creators to create and upload content on the platform without threat of removal.
- It provides an easy way for content creators and users to earn money.
- LBRY blockchain technology ensures that no individual or organization has complete control over the platform. This gives content creators more independence and greater control over their content.
- The platform has a friendly and intuitive interface.
Odysee cons
Unfortunately, Odysee comes with a few drawbacks:
- The anti-censorship approach can allow some harmful content to go unchecked. In fact, the platform has been accused of being a haven for extremists on several occasions
- Odysee does not have ads, which limits content monetization options.
- It is relatively new and thus has a smaller user base than popular platforms like YouTube.