The Great Digital Land Grab: Why Your Online Creations Aren’t Really Yours (Yet)
We spend countless hours crafting content, building communities, and generating value on platforms we don't own. From your Instagram photos to your Substack archive, the digital world is a landlord-tenant relationship where you’re always the tenant.
The Illusion of Ownership
Think about it:
You build a massive following on a social media platform. What happens if they change their algorithm, charge exorbitant fees, or simply shut down? Your audience, your data, your income stream—all held hostage.
You publish your magnum opus on a blogging site. Can you easily export it, along with its full history, comments, and engagement metrics, to another platform without losing crucial context? Usually not.
We've been building castles on rented land.