Over the last several years, NFTs have taken the world by storm. Behind the scenes, IPFS has been the unsung hero keeping all that unique data safe and sound. However, as blockchain technologies evolve and more Layer 2 solutions emerge, there's still a tendency to fall back on centralized storage. But fear not! There are strategies we can implement to ensure our precious NFT data remains decentralized and persistent. And this responsibility lies with both creators and platforms.

Empowering NFT Creators

When it comes to NFTs, creators hold the keys (quite literally) to where their NFTs will reside. The decision on how to store NFT data often needs to be made before minting, dictated by the smart contract, and it’s usually set in stone once minted.

One crucial element here is the Token URI. This little URL is the backbone of your NFT, directing to the metadata and, ultimately, the asset itself. There are a couple of IPFS link options for this:

• Protocol URL (ipfs://) - This is the gold standard for autonomous data storage. Sure, you can't just plop it into your browser and see your content. But it encourages marketplaces and platforms to utilize a gateway to fetch and render the content, ensuring longevity and reducing dependence on any single HTTPS URL that might go kaput.
• Gateway URL (https://example.mypinata.cloud) - This is your quick and easy solution. It makes the content accessible right in your browser. However, it can lead to a crutch where platforms rely on this specific gateway, potentially compromising the decentralized ethos in the long run.

At the end of the day, both options work because they include the CID in the URL. This CID is like a fingerprint for your content, allowing anyone to fetch the data from IPFS.

Creators can also foster a sense of community by sharing the CIDs of their NFTs, just like Bored Ape Yacht Club has done. This practice not only promotes transparency but also encourages the broader community to participate in data persistence.

Responsibility of NFT Platforms

NFT platforms, like marketplaces, play a pivotal role in ensuring IPFS content is rendered correctly. When these platforms index data from the blockchain, encountering ipfs://CID shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Instead of writing off the NFT as broken, they should employ a gateway to fetch and display the content.

For a marketplace to stand out, supporting popular ecosystem standards like IPFS is a no-brainer. Tools like IPFS Gateway Tools can convert any IPFS link into a preferred gateway link, including Dedicated Gateways. These dedicated gateways are the real MVPs – they're faster, free from rate limits, and come with nifty features like built-in CDNs and on-the-fly image optimization.

Wrapping Up

By embracing protocol IPFS URLs and leveraging Dedicated Gateways, we can collectively ensure the persistence of NFT data. It’s up to both creators and platforms to champion these practices, fostering a more resilient and decentralized digital art ecosystem. So let’s keep our NFTs safe and accessible! Happy Pinning ✨