Cash back credit cards offer a fantastic opportunity to earn rewards simply by using your card for everyday purchases. With numerous options available, it’s crucial to know how to maximize these rewards and make the most of your spending. In this ultimate guide, we’ll provide detailed information and expert tips to help you make the most of your cash back credit card rewards.

Choosing the Right Cash Back Credit Card

Selecting the right credit card for your needs is vital for maximizing cash back rewards. Start by comparing reward rates and looking for a card that offers a competitive cash back rate, such as 1.5% or higher on all purchases. Consider bonus categories that align with your spending habits, as some cards offer higher cash back rates on specific categories like groceries, gas, or dining. Factor in any annual fees and ensure the rewards you’ll earn justify the cost. Lastly, explore redemption options, as some cards offer statement credits, while others let you redeem for gift cards, travel, or merchandise.

Understanding Reward Categories

Different cash back cards offer varying rewards based on specific spending categories. Flat-rate cash back cards provide a fixed percentage of cash back on all purchases, making them straightforward and easy to use. An example of a flat-rate cash back card is the Citi Double Cash Card, which offers 1% cash back on all purchases when you make them and an additional 1% when you pay off your balance, effectively providing a 2% cash back rate on all spending.

Cash back, Points, Miles

On the other hand, tiered cash back cards offer higher cash back rates on specific categories and a lower rate on all other purchases. These cards reward you more for spending in certain areas, such as groceries or dining. For example, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express offers 6% cash back on U.S. supermarket purchases (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 6% cash back on select U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on U.S. gas station and transit purchases, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.

In contrast, rotating category cards provide elevated cash back rates on certain categories that change every quarter, requiring activation each time to earn the higher rate. By understanding the differences between flat-rate, tiered, and rotating category cards, you can choose the card that best aligns with your spending habits and maximize your cash back rewards.

Maximizing Rewards with Strategic Spending

Strategically using your card can help make the most of your cash back rewards. Focus your spending on the categories that earn higher cash back rates, such as using your card for grocery purchases if it offers bonus rewards in that category. Plan your spending around the rotating categories to maximize rewards, and take advantage of shopping portals and apps provided by your credit card issuer to earn additional rewards.

Utilizing Signup Bonuses

Many cash back cards offer signup bonuses for new cardholders who meet specific spending thresholds within a certain time frame. Taking advantage of these bonuses can significantly boost your rewards. For example, the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card is offering a signup bonus of $200 after new cardholders spend $800 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This bonus provides a substantial boost to the rewards earned through the card’s regular cash back program.

To find the most current high promotional credit card signup bonuses, it’s essential to check the websites of major credit card issuers, as well as reliable sources like financial news websites, credit card comparison platforms, and popular forums. Websites such as Reddit and community-driven platforms like MyFICO Forums, FlyerTalk, and BoardingArea often feature dedicated sections or threads where users share the latest news and deals on credit card offers, including signup bonuses. Utilizing these resources will help you stay informed about the best cash back credit card offers available, enabling you to make informed decisions and maximize your rewards.

Combining Multiple Cash Back Cards

Using multiple cash back cards, each with different reward categories, can maximize your rewards on various purchases. Be strategic in using the right card for each purchase to ensure you’re earning the highest cash back rate possible.

Staying Organized with Tracking and Redemption

Stay organized and track your rewards by monitoring your spending, setting up alerts from your credit card issuer, and being proactive in redeeming your rewards for statement credits, gift cards, or other options.

Taking Advantage of Additional Perks and Benefits

Cash back credit cards often come with additional perks and benefits that can enhance your overall credit card experience and help you save even more. For example, the Citi Double Cash Card offers a price protection feature, allowing you to receive a refund if the price of a purchased item drops within a specified time frame. The American Express Blue Cash Preferred Card provides purchase protection, which covers eligible items against theft or damage for a certain period after purchase. The Chase Freedom Unlimited Card extends warranties on eligible items, offering extra peace of mind.

Additionally, some cash back credit cards provide exclusive discounts and offers with partner merchants. For instance, the Bank of America Cash Rewards Credit Card includes the BankAmeriDeals program, which allows cardholders to earn extra cash back at select merchants.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can maximize your cash back credit card rewards and turn your everyday spending into valuable savings. Stay organized, monitor your spending, and regularly redeem your rewards to get the most out of your cash back credit cards.

Be Mindful of Credit Utilization and Timely Payments

Another important aspect of maximizing cash back credit card rewards is being mindful of your credit utilization ratio and making timely payments. Your credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your available credit that you’re using, and it plays a significant role in determining your credit score. Aim to keep your credit utilization below 30% to maintain a healthy credit score, which can help you qualify for better credit card offers with higher rewards in the future.

Making timely payments on your cash back credit card is also crucial. Missing payments can lead to late fees, penalty interest rates, and a negative impact on your credit score. Set up payment reminders or automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date. By consistently making on-time payments, you’ll not only maintain a good credit score but also avoid any negative consequences that could hinder your ability to maximize cash back rewards.

Regularly Review and Optimize Your Credit Card Portfolio

To ensure you’re continually getting the most out of your cash back credit cards, it’s essential to regularly review and optimize your credit card portfolio. The credit card market is constantly evolving, with new offers and reward structures being introduced frequently. Keep an eye on new cash back credit card offers and compare them to your existing cards to determine if there’s an opportunity to upgrade or switch to a card with better rewards or perks.

Additionally, as your spending habits change over time, it’s essential to reevaluate your credit card portfolio to ensure it still aligns with your needs. For example, if you find yourself traveling more frequently, you might consider adding a travel rewards credit card to your portfolio to maximize rewards on travel-related expenses.

The Bottom Line

By following the steps and strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your cash back credit card rewards and enjoying the numerous benefits that come with savvy credit card usage. Remember to choose the right card, stay organized, and regularly review your credit card portfolio to ensure you’re always getting the most value from your cash back credit cards.

As you explore the world of rewards and loyalty programs, it’s also worth considering the potential advantages of Web3-based rewards systems. Our company, Permission.io, is revolutionizing rewards by offering our unique $ASK points* in exchange for users’ data. This innovative approach not only empowers users by compensating them for their valuable information but also introduces them to the dynamic world of Web3.

Keep an eye out for future articles that dive deeper into the benefits of Web3 rewards systems like our $ASK token, and learn how they can complement and enhance your rewards-earning strategies. Happy earning!

*Please note that $ASK points are virtual tokens that can be redeemed for various crypto rewards.

Are you eager to make the most out of your shopping experiences? We’ve got you covered! In this article, we present the top 10 cash-back and rewards apps that every savvy shopper should know about. These apps will help you earn cash back and other rewards effortlessly on your everyday purchases, ensuring that you save money and enjoy exclusive deals. Our carefully curated list is designed to provide you with immense value, guiding you toward the best apps for maximizing your savings and making your shopping experiences more rewarding. Get ready to revolutionize the way you shop!

1. Rakuten 

Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a popular cash-back app that offers up to 40% cash back on purchases from over 2,500 stores. Earn cashback on online shopping, in-store purchases, and even when booking travel. Rakuten’s browser extension also ensures you never miss a deal.

2. Ibotta

Ibotta is a must-have app for grocery shoppers, offering cash back on products from popular retailers like Walmart, Target, and more. Simply add offers, purchase the items, and upload your receipt to earn cash back. Ibotta also offers cash-back deals for online shopping and dining out.

3. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is a versatile rewards app that allows you to earn points, called “Swagbucks” (SB), for various online activities. Shop online, watch videos, take surveys, or search the web to earn SB. Redeem your SB for gift cards or cash via PayPal.

4. Fetch Rewards

Fetch Rewards is another great app for grocery shoppers. Just scan your receipts and earn points based on the brands and products you buy. Redeem your points for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Target.

5. Dosh

Dosh offers a simple way to earn cash back on your everyday purchases. Link your credit or debit card to the app, and automatically earn cash back at participating merchants. The cash-back rewards are automatically deposited into your Dosh Wallet, which can be transferred to your bank account or PayPal.

6. Drop

Drop is a user-friendly app that allows you to earn points by shopping with your linked credit or debit card. Choose your favorite retailers, and the app will track your purchases, automatically rewarding you with points. Redeem points for gift cards to popular stores and restaurants.

7. Shopkick

Shopkick offers various ways to earn “kicks” (points) while shopping. Earn kicks for walking into stores, scanning product barcodes, making purchases, or shopping online. Redeem your kicks for gift cards to your favorite retailers.

8. Honey

Honey is a browser extension and app that automatically searches for and applies coupon codes during online checkout. Honey also offers a rewards program, Honey Gold, which allows you to earn points on qualifying purchases. Redeem Honey Gold for gift cards to popular retailers.

9. Receipt Hog

Receipt Hog is a fun and easy way to turn your receipts into rewards. Simply snap a photo of your receipt, and earn coins or spins based on the total amount spent. Redeem coins for cash via PayPal or Amazon gift cards.

10. GetUpside

GetUpside is perfect for those who want to save money on gas, groceries, and dining out. With GetUpside, you can find exclusive cash-back offers at participating gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. Just claim an offer, make your purchase, and upload your receipt to earn cash back. Cash out your earnings via PayPal, e-gift cards, or check.

The Bottom Line

With these top 10 cash-back and rewards apps, you’ll be well on your way to saving money and earning rewards on your everyday purchases. Whether you’re a frequent online shopper, a grocery store enthusiast, or someone who loves dining out, there’s an app on this list that’s perfect for you. So, start downloading these apps today and maximize your savings! Don’t forget to share this article with fellow shoppers to help them save money too.

As you reap the benefits of these traditional cash-back and rewards apps, it’s also worth exploring the innovative world of Web3-based rewards systems. Our company, Permission.io, is revolutionizing rewards by offering our unique $ASK points* to users for sharing data and engaging with the brands they love. This groundbreaking approach empowers users by compensating them for their valuable information while introducing them to the dynamic world of Web3.

Combining Permission’s $ASK tokenized points with your existing rewards-earning strategies can provide a more comprehensive and lucrative approach to saving money and earning rewards. Keep an eye out for future articles that dive deeper into the advantages of Web3 rewards systems like our $ASK token, and learn how they can help you get even more value from your shopping experiences. Happy earning!

*$ASK points are virtual tokens that can be redeemed for various crypto rewards.

Ads are getting more intrusive every day.

No matter if you are watching a video, playing a game, or surfing the web, advertisers will find you with their offers, interrupting your favorite activities.

While many content creators make their living from placing ads in their apps or websites, bad advertising can easily ruin the user experience.

Fortunately, ad blockers are becoming increasingly popular on Android devices, allowing users to eliminate the advertisements that annoy them.

And, in this article, we will explore the best ad blockers for Android smartphones.

What Is an Android Ad Blocker?

Before we show you the best solutions, let’s take a closer look at the basics first.

An Android ad blocker is a software that eliminates or alters advertising content on webpages, applications, and other places within the Android ecosystem.

However, there is a great difference between Android ad-block solutions in how and what content they eliminate on your smartphone.

While some ad blockers will replace ads with alternative content, other solutions will leave holes or broken links at the location where ads would be normally displayed.

Furthermore, some ad blocker solutions provide system-wide protection against advertisements, while others only disable ads when you are browsing the web on your smartphone.

Android users can also set up ad blocker solutions that are primarily focused on eliminating the advertising trackers that compromise their privacy.

In sum, Android ad blockers help to:

1. Eliminate disturbing ads to create a decent user experience on Android devices
2. Get rid of advertising trackers to restore user privacy
3. Protect against malicious software, links, and websites by automatically disabling them
4. Increase your Android smartphone’s performance as poorly designed ads often slow down your device
   

Now that you know the basics, let’s see the best ad blockers for Android devices.

1. AdGuard for Android

Overview

AdGuard is among the most popular ad blockers for Android.

While AdGuard provides system-wide protection against advertisements on Android devices, you don’t have to root your smartphone to use the application.

In addition to blocking ads both in apps and web browsers, AdGuard allows Android users to customize where and how ads are filtered on your smartphone.

How It Works

Despite the popularity of the software, AdGuard has been removed from the Google Play Store along with most Android ad blocker solutions.

Therefore, you have to download and install the ad blocker from an APK file.

AdGuard blocks advertisements on various locations, eliminating ads from games, browsers, websites, and other places within the Android ecosystem.

The company updates its ad filters regularly to provide a (near) ad-free experience for Android users.AdGuard also functions as anti-tracker software to preserve your privacy by preventing online trackers and analytics software from collecting data on your device.

Furthermore, AdGuard features a built-in VPN, a firewall, as well as protection against phishing and malware attacks.

Cost

AdGuard has both a free and a premium version for Android.

The difference between the two is that the prior eliminates ads in web browsers only while the paid version provides system-wide protection, blocking advertisements from all the apps you have installed on your smartphone.

Pros

1. AdGuard is considered a prominent ad blocker for Android
2. AdGuard’s premium version provides system-wide protection against advertisements, meaning that the software can eliminate ads from all the webpages you browse and the apps you use on Android
3. You don’t have to root your device to use the Android ad blocker
4. Additional tools to protect your device, including a built-in VPN, anti-tracking software, and firewall
5. High customizability for filtering ads
6. Available for various operating systems (Android, iOS, Windows, Mac), which comes in handy when you subscribe to premium, as you can use your subscription on multiple devices
   

Cons

1. The free version of the software only blocks ads in web browsers
2. Since it’s not available in the Google Play Store, you have to install AdGuard from an APK file
   

2. Blokada

Overview

Blokada is an open-source ad blocker that is available for both iOS and Android.

Despite that the Android ad blocker is free, and you don’t have to root your device, it provides system-wide protection against smartphone advertisements.

Therefore, Blokada can eliminate ads in both the browsers and the apps you use on your Android device.

How It Works

Similarly to the premium version of AdGuard, Blokada disables the ads displayed on the web pages and in the apps you use on your Android smartphone.

To prevent ads from showing on your device, Blokada utilizes a list of blacklisted URLs to set up a local VPN and block requests from each of these domains.

Unfortunately, like in AdGuard’s case, you can’t install Blokada from the Play Store.

Instead, you have to download an APK file and use it to set up the Android ad blocker on your device.Still, it’s super easy to get started with Blokada as you don’t have to create an account to use the app, which is quite rare among Android applications.

Like AdGuard, Blokada allows you to whitelist the domains and apps you want to support, as well as to customize your blacklists.

Cost

As Blokada is an open-source project that operates on a donation basis, it’s free to use the Android ad block software.

Pros

1. Blokada provides efficient system-wide protection against ads on Android devices
2. You can use the Android ad blocker for free
3. You don’t have to create an account with the service provider to get started
4. No need to root your device
5. Multi-device support (iOS, Android)
6. High level of customization
7. Excellent reviews
   

Cons

1. The app is not available in the Play Store, you have to manually install it via from an APK file instead
2. Only available for smartphones (Android, iOS), no support for desktop devices
   

3. AdAway

Overview

AdAway is an open-source ad-block software that you can use on your Android device free of charge.

The major difference between the previous two Android ad blockers and AdAway is that you must root your smartphone to use the latter software.

However, if your device is rooted, installing AdAway will effectively block ads on your entire system, including most of the websites and applications you use.

How It Works

AdAway uses the hosts file to block ads on your device, which includes a list of mappings between IP addresses and hostnames.

When the Android ad-block software receives a request, it directs it to a blank IP address to prevent the ad from showing.

By default, AdAway uses the 127.0.0.1 address. However, you have the option to change this to the one you prefer.

In addition to running your own web server, the Android ad blocker allows users to customize the hosts file as well as AdAway’s blacklists and whitelists.

AdAway requires users to root their devices because the hosts file is located in the read-only “system” folder.

However, you also need to provide write access to AdAway, which you can achieve by rooting your Android device.

As a side note, like with the previous ad blockers in this list, you have to install AdAway via an APK file.

Cost

Like Blokada, AdAway collects donations to operate, and you can use it at no cost.

Pros

1. AdAway blocks ads very effectively throughout your system by using the hosts file on rooted devices to redirect requests to a blank IP address
2. You don’t need to pay a dime to use the Android ad blocker
3. Ample options for customization
   

Cons

1. You have to possess at least basic technical skills or knowledge to root your device and install the ad blocker for Android
2. AdAway is only available for Android devices

4. FAB Adblocker Browser

Overview

Now that we have explored three system-wide ad blockers for Android, let’s see a solution that’s a bit more simple than the previous ones.

FAB Adblocker Browser (formerly Free Adblocker Browser) is a straightforward app that prevents ads from showing on your device while surfing the web.

How It Works

To get started, you have to install the FAB Adblocker Browser from the Google Play Store.

The app works very similarly to ad-block extensions for desktop browsers. However, contrary to the latter solutions, you have to replace your current browser and use the FAB Adblocker Browser instead to surf the web.

The FAB Adblocker Browser will prevent ads from displaying on the websites you visit while blocking trackers as well as protecting your device against malware, viruses, and other malicious software.

By doing so – based on multiple independent reviews displayed on the Android ad blocker’s website – the FAB Adblocker Browser allows users to load webpages up to twice as fast as popular web browsers (e.g., Firefox or Google Chrome).

Optionally, the Android ad-block software allows you to whitelist the websites where you don’t want to prevent ads from showing.

Cost

The FAB Adblocker Browser uses a freemium model to operate.

While the app will block ads and trackers in the free version, a paid subscription will grant you access to premium browser-related features, such as background video playing, reader mode, and customized themes.

Pros

1. All essential ad and tracker blocking features are included in the app’s free version
2. The Free Adblocker Browser blocks most ads and trackers on the web
3. You can browse the web faster than with browsers that lack ad-block capabilities
4. The Android ad blocker is available in the Play Store
   

Cons

1. No system-wide protection against ads
2. You have to replace your current browser with the Free Adblocker Browser to eliminate ads and trackers while surfing the web
3. You have to use the ad blocker’s paid version to access additional browser features
   

5. Firefox Focus

Overview

Developed by the non-profit Mozilla, Firefox Focus is a privacy browser for Android and iOS that features a built-in blocker to automatically eliminate trackers and ads on the web.

How It Works

Firefox Focus is maybe the most user-friendly Android ad blocker we have shown you in this article.

After installing the app from the Play Store, you can use the privacy browser without any configuration to surf the web privately.

To achieve that, Firefox Focus blocks and eliminates common web trackers, cookies, ads, passwords, and analytics records from your browser.

As a plus, Firefox Focus deletes all your browsing history automatically after closing the application.

By preventing parts of web pages from loading, you have to download fewer elements while browsing the web.As a result, Firefox Focus allows you to load web pages faster and may decrease your mobile data usage.

Cost

Using Firefox Focus is completely free on every device, including Android smartphones.

Pros

1. With built-in blockers, Firefox Focus eliminates ads, trackers, and other intrusive content to achieve a truly private web browsing experience
2. You don’t need to configure the ad-block software to get started
3. The app is available on all devices free of charge
4. Play Store availability
5. Multi-device support (Android, iOS)
6. In addition to blocking trackers and ads, Firefox Focus automatically deletes your browsing data after you have finished surfing the web
7. Fast web browsing and less (potential) data usage
   

Cons

1. Firefox Focus is limited to eliminating ads and trackers only on the web
2. You have to replace your current browser with Firefox Focus to benefit from the app’s ad-blocking capabilities
3. The app doesn’t suit users who prefer to save information about the websites they often visit (e.g., passwords, bookmarks)
   

Achieve an Ad-Free Experience With Android Ad Blockers

With all the interruptive ads and trackers, it is essential to use an ad blocker to protect your privacy and achieve a better user experience on Android.

In addition to blocking ads, trackers, and other intrusive content, using an Android ad blocker could also speed up your device, decrease your smartphone’s data and energy use, and protect against malicious software.

You can choose from multiple Android ad blocker types, such as (rooted and non-rooted) system-wide ad-block software, as well as ad blocker and privacy browsers. By the way, if you’re also interested in Ad Blockers for the iPhone, just click on this link—we also cover that.

Based on the rising popularity of ad blockers, it has become clear that traditional forms of digital advertising are neither efficient nor consumer-friendly.

To solve this issue, we have created Permission, a new kind of advertising model that provides an interruption-free experience to users and rewards them for engaging with advertisers.

While this allows brands to increase their ROI and build long-term relationships with their customers, consumers receive ASK cryptocurrency for providing permission to learn about products and services from advertisers. Consumers receive personal and relevant ads and are compensated for their time and data shared. Consumers can hold, exchange, or spend their ASK on the Permission.io Store.

To learn more about this innovative ad model that gives consumers a piece of the advertising pie, check out Permission's official website or join the conversation via our official Twitter page.

While the global economy remains shaky, we continue building the foundation for Web3 Advertising–a new paradigm of engagement between brands and consumers, an equitable value exchange that is long overdue.

Permission Growth

Permission is proud to be named the top partner of the quarter for Unstoppable Domains — the #1 provider of Web3 domains. Grab your slice of the next internet before it’s gone!

We’re running multiple campaigns for global clients including a crypto-infused gaming project.

On the tech side, we powered up our ad platform, integrating with best-in-class customer data platform, Treasure Data.

We’re also thrilled to bolster Team Permission team by adding ad-tech industry veteran Duane Dirstine to our roster!

Two for Review

As Permission operates at the intersection of advertising and cryptocurrency, here are two big news stories we wanted to highlight: South Korea’s privacy watchdog issued $72 million in fines to the Big Tech Band (e.g. Google and Meta) for non-compliance.

Takeaway: always ASK for Permission!

Starbucks announced a Web3 loyalty rewards program, run on the Polygon blockchain. Craving an iced latte with an NFT topper?

Takeaway: the next logical step for rewards programs is opt-in advertising. Bonus: Polygon powers Permission too. ­

As Seen On:

IAB Audience ConnectPermission’s Lauren Griewski discusses Metaverse marketing at IAB’s Audience Connect in NYC

LinkedIn LiveFireside chat with Permission’s AdOps & Sales teams on the topic: What is Web3 Advertising?

CointelegraphPermission Founder Charlie Silver on how regulation could help onboard the next digital asset users

At the dawn of the Internet, many viewed the network as a means to promote values of individual rights, freedom of speech and human dignity. Unfortunately, today’s Internet — having evolved from the static, read-only days of Web 1.0 to a more usable, participatory Web 2 — is now an exploitative means for government and Big Tech agendas. Tech giants surreptitiously harvest and monetize user data at the expense and behest of the individual consumer. Governments increasingly apply pressure to the largest consumer-facing platforms to drive desired outcomes. Those who deviate or oppose marching orders are at risk of being banned or censored. As a result, consumers and content creators are increasingly distrustful and frustrated by the misaligned economic incentives and inequities of today’s web.

Web3 puts the power back in the hands of the people, recognizing individual sovereignty. Much like the printing press allowed writers and philosophers to share ideas and information during the renaissance, the Web3 movement could be viewed as a digital renaissance or rediscovery of reason.

Free Platforms, But at What Cost?

Historically, Big Tech’s strategy has been to lead with “free” consumer-facing platforms which ultimately create revenue opportunities from user data. The advent of Google’s freemium model began with search, then extended to other products including Gmail, Maps and YouTube. Ideally a consumer logs into one of these platforms, then uses other products in the Google suite. Understanding cross-platform and cross-device consumer behavior is a powerful capability that underpins Google’s massive digital ad ecosystem. As consumers, we love free things — but at what cost?

People-led Platforms Provide Alternatives

For writers, Substack and Ghost provide subscription-based newsletter publishing platforms. Bloggers have historically been limited in their ability to monetize content outside of Big Tech vendors. While Ghost’s open-source platform has the ability to integrate Google AdSense, this is an option for adding incremental revenue — not a core revenue driver that writers are beholden to for their livelihood.

In a time of news and media consolidation with ongoing concerns around content censorship, the ability for independent journalists to build and monetize “owned” audiences is a major development to ensure freedom of the press does not succumb to the power elite.

Despite the current economic downturn, Google Search delivered approximately $70 billion in revenue during 2Q22. The company commands approximately 90% of global search activity — a treasure trove of consumer data. While the company largely relies on organic search, it extends reach via alliances with other publishers. In these instances, the search giant buys traffic from other digital properties, which is referred to as traffic acquisition cost (TAC). Considering the input (data) from consumers, they deserve a cut of the action, too. In 2Q22, Google paid ad partners over $12 billion, and while this includes search and display media, arguably the most valuable search partner — the consumer — received zero compensation.

Meanwhile, YouTube, another significant revenue contributor for Google, accounted for $56 billion in revenue during 2Q22. Although a different business model is in play, Google squeezes video content creators for 45% of ad revenues generated. Similar to search, YouTube users receive no remuneration for their attention or data for this multi-billion-dollar money making machine.

Decentralized Search and Video Alternatives

By leveraging networked computers or nodes, Presearch provides consumers a decentralized doorway to search the web with the added benefit of privacy. Presearch’s privacy-based search tool offers crypto rewards to users, while rewarding those who run network nodes that support the network. Currently, Presearch is without blockchain-based search peers, making it both the category leader and owner.

In the Web3 streaming video landscape, there are multiple projects leveraging blockchain technology to deliver decentralized services, including Livepeer and Veracity. Each platform maintains a different business model, enabling greater levels of transparency, ownership and value exchange amongst content creators, viewers and node operators.

Web3 Power to the People

In the digital era, centralized platforms have become content gatekeepers and data oligarchs. The ability to perform two acts simultaneously in sports makes a player a “dual threat.” In business this 1-2 combo is a high wire act with an antitrust audience watching below.

An individual’s online behavior — including search — should not be collected, analyzed and monetized without proper consent. Whether they know it or not, people’s data powers Big Tech platforms which make billions in profit. Shouldn’t individuals be compensated for the fuel they provide? Apple is leading the charge by requiring apps in the app store to ask permission to use individual data. While there is no compensation for users, this is a step in the right direction.

Attention is arguably a person’s most valuable commodity. When this — as well as data that makes a person’s identity, preferences and interests unique — is shared with a brand or marketer via one of these platforms, isn’t it reasonable that something of value should be given in return?

Web3 Utility Extends to NFTs, Defi and More

Today’s value exchange between Big Tech and consumers is a one-way street. The Internet was supposed to be a global public utility, not a propaganda tool for the government or a profit machine for a few tech titans. We, the people, deserve more. Consumers and content creators deserve their fair share for contributing to the digital economy.

As next-gen Internet construction continues, it should be noted that the blockchain technology underpinning Web3 also supports non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (Defi). This opens the door for additional value creation and exchange amongst Web3 participants, including consumers, developers, brands and content creators. These players will continue to explore and expand beyond today’s use cases which reduce or eliminate the need for intermediaries (e.g. banks) and fiat currency controlled by governments. Big Tech and government will remain powerful entities in society; however, platforms that empower and reward the individual will continue to gain momentum as Web3 takes shape.

This article originally appeared on Media Village and was guest authored by Permission.io founder Charlie Silver. Click here to view the full article.

As we move towards Web 3.0, a new level of Internet immersion, commonly called the Metaverse, is beginning to take shape. The effects of such high levels of augmented and virtual reality are yet to be determined. One matter in particular, that of data privacy, which has created significant controversy in the current generation of the Internet, can only be expected to compound as technologies advance. Many are questioning how such an interactive environment, likely integrating advertisement even further into our Internet experience than at present, will impact data privacy and security. As personal information such as biometric data (facial and bodily features, fingerprinting and beyond) becomes more ingrained for technology such as avatars, and the real world further blends with the virtual, companies will need to take significant precautions to uphold the trust of their users.

Skeptics of the Metaverse are fearing unparalleled levels of user surveillance once new technology is implemented. In 2021, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen told the Associated Press that the Metaverse will require “many, many more sensors in our homes and our workplaces.” Though the company pushing the Metaverse the hardest, Facebook, recently rebranded as Meta, has claimed that it will look into how it can minimize the amount of data collected, this is difficult to imagine in practice. Just 20 minutes of VR usage can generate over two million data points, including breathing patterns, walking patterns, thought, physical movement, and eye movement. Data collection without the Metaverse has already been lauded as rampant and exploitative for years – think back to the 2018 Facebook and Cambridge Analytica election scandal, the following Mark Zuckerberg Congress hearing, the testimonies of multiple whistleblowers, and beyond – and yet despite significant privacy concerns among the general public, federal regulation has lagged, with no legislation protecting consumers from current practices. Not to mention, though Meta has stated it will be investing billions into the Metaverse, in comparison, it has only allocated $50 million to metaverse privacy research. And there may be no escape: for example, Meta has introduced a virtual meeting software called Horizon Workrooms, and Haugen warns that forced participation, if people happen to disagree with such practices, places them at risk of losing their jobs. 

Though most people are not yet familiar with the concept of the Metaverse, those that are seem to be concerned. A recent survey showed that 50% of people are worried about identity issues, 47% are concerned about forced surveillance, and 45% are worried about abuse of personal data. These concerns are not unfounded – biometric data breaches, phishing attacks, and endless tracking are already netizen vulnerabilities, and will become even more so as Metaverse technology grows. 

Now more than ever, people are feeling commodified. Many are hesitant to join the Metaverse, despite the fact that it is a growing industry, with companies like Disney, Microsoft, and Epic Games announcing Metaverse plans, and even governments such as South Korea dedicating funds towards Metaverse development. Citi Global Insights states that by 2030, the Metaverse will be a $13 trillion global industry. And of course, this is all due to the value of personal data. 

If the Metaverse is not built with privacy and data security at the heart of new product architecture, disaster is sure to ensue. Furthermore, developers need to be transparent with users and potential users about their practices, while also giving people actual choices about how their data is used rather than, as we have experienced in Web 1.0 and 2.0, forcing someone to click “I agree” to pages upon pages of opaque legal jargon. Data should be encrypted and fully anonymized, with users’ rights as a priority, even over profit – something Meta reportedly does not do. 

User trust has been eroded by scandal after scandal, but not only so. Users have long been reduced to their data by companies, thus leaving them powerless and dehumanized. Implementing significant protections to and control over Metaverse data is likely to provide comfort and begin restoring the user-brand relationship. Yet, still, the profit of a soon-to-be multi-trillion dollar industry will be kept in the hands of companies. Web 3.0 does not and should not consist of only the Metaverse. One key point of Web 3.0 is the idea of an individual’s capability to participate in the data economy themselves, to get a cut out of the massive profits being generated by their personal information. Users should receive something in return, besides usage of a product, for relinquishing so much of themselves to companies. Brands who recognize this are likely to experience much more success. Compensating users for their data is undeniably a step towards a more fair future and a more equal Internet as we venture into the future.

We’re thrilled to announce a partnership with Unstoppable Domains, the leading platform for Web3 digital identity with more than 2.4 million registered NFT (non-fungible token) domains.

Through the partnership, Unstoppable Domains will provide each active Permission user with a $40 credit that can be used to purchase a multi-functional domain that serves as a digital ID and name to send and receive crypto assets – rather than using standard wallet addresses.

“Our partnership with Unstoppable Domains is one we are truly excited to share with our community,” said Thomas Shin, CEO of Permission.io. “Permission and Unstoppable Domains share the same Web3 ethos of consumer data agency and ownership. Through our new partnership, we are enabling our Permission user base a slice of the new internet, allowing them further accessibility and ease of use to a variety of activities as the Web3 economy takes shape.

Unstoppable Domains allows users to carve out their piece of Web3 (much like a Web2 domain) with the added benefits of a digital ID and wallet for sending/receiving cryptocurrency and NFTs. A flexible nomenclature allows users to create personalized domains (e.g. yourname.wallet) that are much easier to remember than the typical 30-plus character crypto wallet, creating a more seamless onboarding experience for users looking to get into the Web3 space. 

“Unstoppable Domains exists to enable user-owned, digital identity for every person on the planet,” said Sandy Carter, SVP of Business Development at Unstoppable Domains. “We’re thrilled to partner with Permission to give more people the power to own their data on Web3.”

This week, active Permission users will receive an email from Permission with a unique code, which they can use to claim their free domain on the Unstoppable Domains website. 

How do I claim mine?

If you’re an active Permission member, keep an eye on your inbox, we’ll be emailing you a unique code this week. Sign up or log into your Unstoppable Domains account and select Redeem a Gift Code from the Account drop down on the top right.

‍

Enter your code, then choose your personal NFT domain and enjoy your slice of the new Internet!

About Unstoppable Domains

Founded in 2018, Unstoppable Domains is an NFT domain name provider and digital identity platform working to onboard the world onto Web3. Unstoppable Domains offers NFT domains minted on the blockchain that give people full ownership and control of their digital identity, with no renewal fees.

With Unstoppable Domains, people can replace lengthy alphanumeric crypto wallet addresses with a human-readable name (like yourname.wallet) and log into and transact with more than 200 apps, wallets, exchanges and marketplaces. The company was named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Startup Employers in 2022.

Utility and viability allow Permission to maintain course.

As the global economy faces headwinds and the crypto market enters bear territory, Permission remains too busy building its ecosystem and use cases for ASK to be unduly distracted. During the first half of 2022, we maintained growth through a combination of internal developments, external partnerships and key executive hires. These activities add value to our core ad serving infrastructure launched in 4Q21 — Permission Ads DSP (demand-side platform).

Unlike any other ad-tech product on the market, Permission Ads enables brands to distribute a tokenized reward ($ASK) across the open web, while collecting zero-party data (i.e., data that a user volunteers to share with a brand) and incentivizing action in a way that respects the user. Advertisers can run rewarded campaigns to preferred audiences, build custom, opted-in communities and cultivate loyalty by offering value in exchange for their customers’ engagement. 

The 1-2 punch of tech and talent developments in 1H22 set the stage for us to partner with major brands in 2H22. CMOs and their agencies are eager to find alternatives to Big Tech data oligarchs while simultaneously dealing with increased consumer data protection legislation. Permission’s zero-party data platform addresses multiple pain points for brands seeking new engagement opportunities. As consumer and business adoption of cryptocurrency accelerates, we will further solidify our position as the leading advertising platform for Web3.

1Q22: sales leadership and Web3 partnershipsWe continue to recruit and attract exceptional talent to help scale web3 advertising globally. The company is also an attractive partner for like-minded Web3 projects that provide consumers with greater agency and ownership of their data.

To round out Q1 activities, we entered a partnership with Swash, a data union that rewards consumers for sharing anonymous browser data. Our shared Web3 ethos, including a vision for consumer data sovereignty, provided the foundation for this alliance. As our respective projects grow, there will be integration opportunities to cross-leverage audiences, including media activation through Permission DSP.  

2Q22 highlightsIn a move to enable greater interoperability and industry-wide adoption of Permission’s native token (ASK), we migrated away from our proprietary blockchain to Polygon. As a layer 2 scaling solution built on Ethereum, the Polygon network is used by over 100 million consumers worldwide. Our Web3 advertising platform benefits from the scalability made possible by Polygon’s lightning-fast speeds and low transaction costs. In addition, Polygon will enhance ASK utility by enabling interoperability with the Polygon and Ethereum ecosystems, including access to DeFi, staking, wallets, and more.

2H22 and beyondA continued exodus of Web2 talent to Web3 illustrates the market opportunity through a business lens, including the value proposition of being part of a once-in-a-lifetime movement. For deeper business insights, a16z’s State of Crypto report and Harvard Business Review highlight the case for being bullish and building in Web3.

Although advertising budgets may be whittled or paused temporarily in the short-term, the quest for high-quality consumer data continues to be paramount for brand success. Regardless of macro economic factors, brands and agencies are pressed for next-gen ad tech solutions that address challenges around cookie degradation, big tech data exploitation and  privacy legislation.  

Despite market turmoil, we remain focused on the addressing the ad industry’s evolving needs while staying true to the Web3 ethos of consumer data ownership. As brands struggle to improve personalization and engagement with consumers amid stricter privacy legislation, the ability to collect and unify data via customer data platforms (CDPs) is more important than ever. 

In 2H22, we will  be integrating a Permission CDP that will unify collected zero-party data and allow advertisers not only to build their own permissioned audiences, but will also allow them to tap into Permission’s proprietary audiences. The CDP implementation will be complete in the next few months and will dramatically bolster our offering, by unlocking more value for brands and agency partners that seek to maximize return on ad spend (ROAS).

The tokenization of data and other assets empowers us, flipping the script on big centralized platforms which have long extracted value from our data. With the advent of Web3, we have control over our data, including the opportunity to earn a share of its monetization. Meanwhile, the challenges that digital advertisers have faced in Web2 – particularly, the inability to track users and access critical user data at scale due to privacy regulations – will be solved by Web3 platforms – like ours – that enable advertisers to obtain consent from users by offering tokenized rewards in exchange for their engagement. Whether you view Web3 as an evolution or revolution, we have the tech and the talent to be the leading platform for Web3 advertising.

UPDATE as of June 26, 2023: The bridging period is now officially over. The Permission team would like to thank the community for their cooperation and support during this process. The bridge opened in May, 2022 and officially closed, as scheduled, on June 25, 2023. Users are no longer able to bridge their Permission Network Balance.

Please note that users with a Pending ASK balance can maintain their ASK in Pending. When withdrawn, it will be transferred via the Polygon blockchain and, as such, will automatically be withdrawn as Polygon ASK.

UPDATE as of April 24, 2023: Permission users and ASK holders who have not yet used the ASK Bridge to migrate their tokens to the Polygon network are encouraged to do so before June 25, 2023. Legacy ASK token balances will not be visible in the wallet page on June 25, 2023. After such date, no exchanges will be supporting the legacy ASK token on the Permission blockchain. Only the ASK token on the Polygon blockchain will continue to be supported by exchanges. Additionally, as the Permission Platform now runs entirely on Polygon, only the withdrawal of ASK tokens on the Polygon chain will be supported.

Please ensure your ASK is bridged to Polygon ahead of June 25, 2023.

As previously announced, Permission will be migrating ASK from our legacy blockchain to the Polygon Network. This is a one-way bridge for ASK holders to migrate their tokens to Polygon so that they may take full advantage of our upgraded infrastructure.

But before you begin, Permission users should navigate to their wallet and check their wallet balance. If your wallet balance is empty, then you don’t need to worry. Your pending ASK can safely stay where it is for as long as you want and will be able to be withdrawn directly onto the Polygon Network after the migration.

If you have ASK in your wallet balance, Permission suggests you migrate it over to the Polygon network. We cannot migrate your ASK for you, so you must do it yourself.

To get started using the ASK Bridge to the Polygon Network, first ensure that you have a MetaMask wallet – and download one if you don’t have it already – as it is necessary to use the bridge. Then, identify what kind of wallet you keep your ASK in and follow the associated instructions:

If your ASK is in a Permission wallet

This option is for Permission users who keep their ASK in their Permission wallet, which is accessible via their Permission account.

To begin:

1. Login to your Permission account. 
2. Navigate to the ASK Bridge, review the instructions provided, and click ‘Get Started.’ (Mobile users need to input the URL into the browser in MetaMask)
3. Select the ‘Continue’ button underneath the ‘Permission Wallet’ section. 
4. Click the ‘Add legacy Permission Network’ button and confirm in MetaMask, then continue by selecting ‘Next.’
5. Next, click the ‘Get Private Key’ button, which will direct you back to your Permission settings. In your Permission account settings, enter your password to reveal your private key. Select ‘next’ on the bridge when done. 
6. Then, import your private key into MetaMask. To do this, in MetaMask, click the account circle icon in the top right and select ‘Import Account.’ Then, copy and paste your private key into MetaMask and select ‘Import.’ Select ‘next’ on the bridge when done. 
7. Now, connect your wallet to the bridge using the MetaMask button provided. Then, confirm again in MetaMask. 

If your ASK is in any other wallet

This option is for ASK holders who do not have a Permission account, or Permission users who have transferred their ASK to an outside wallet.

To begin:

1. Navigate to the ASK Bridge, review the instructions provided, and click ‘Get Started.’ (Mobile users need to input the URL into the browser in MetaMask)
2. Select the ‘Continue’ button underneath the ‘Any Other Wallet’ section. 
3. (If you are using a hardware wallet, connect your hardware wallet to MetaMask at this time.)
4. Connect your wallet to the bridge using the MetaMask button provided. Then, confirm again in MetaMask. 

Once your wallet is successfully connected to the ASK Bridge 

1. Select the amount of ASK from your wallet that you would like to permanently transfer from the legacy Permission network to the Polygon network, then click ‘Review’ to continue. 
2. Review the details on the page, including the amount of ASK and your wallet address, then click “Transfer.”
3. You will be directed to a page that reflects the status of your transfer request. 
4. Now, hit the ‘Add ASK token To Polygon’ button and confirm in MetaMask. Then, click the “Add ASK” button to add the ASK token slot to your MetaMask.

If you have yet to transfer your ASK over because you can’t see it in your MetaMask:

1. Make sure you have added the legacy Permission Network and ASK token to your MetaMask wallet.

If you have transferred your ASK, but still don’t see it in your MetaMask:

1. Transfers may take up to 24 hours to complete.
2. Make sure you have added the Polygon Network.
3. Make sure you have added the ASK token placeholder to your MetaMask wallet.

Have other questions about the Polygon Migration? Check out our FAQ for answers to our most commonly asked questions. 

We have also created a video guide to walk you through the process.

Still having issues or other questions? Please contact support at support@permission.ai, and we will be glad to help you.

UPDATE as of June 26, 2023: The bridging period is now officially over. The Permission team would like to thank the community for their cooperation and support during this process. The bridge opened in May, 2022 and officially closed, as scheduled, on June 25, 2023. Users are no longer able to bridge their Permission Network Balance.

Please note that users with a Pending ASK balance can maintain their ASK in Pending. When withdrawn, it will be transferred via the Polygon blockchain and, as such, will automatically be withdrawn as Polygon ASK.

UPDATE as of April 24, 2023: Permission users and ASK holders who have not yet used the ASK Bridge to migrate their tokens to the Polygon network are encouraged to do so before June 25, 2023. After such date, no exchanges will be supporting the legacy ASK token on the Permission blockchain. Only the ASK token on the Polygon blockchain will continue to be supported by exchanges. Additionally, as the Permission Platform now runs entirely on Polygon, only the withdrawal of ASK tokens on the Polygon chain will be supported, and legacy ASK token balances will not be visible in the wallet page in your Permission account.

Please ensure your ASK is bridged to Polygon ahead of June 25, 2023.

The ASK Bridge to the Polygon network is now live and available to use.

As previously announced, Permission is migrating ASK from the legacy Permission Network to the Polygon Network. An ASK Bridge has launched today for individuals to port their ASK tokens over.

Please note, we currently recommend to using the bridge on a desktop instead of mobile device.

For those unfamiliar with Polygon, here is a useful explainer video on the Polygon Network. Permission is thrilled to be migrating to Polygon, as we strongly believe the move will accelerate our goal of empowering users worldwide to own and monetize their data. For those that hold ASK, we believe that this migration will allow us to expand the use cases for ASK by enabling interoperability with the Polygon and Ethereum ecosystems.

Overview

As an ASK holder, you are invited to transfer your ASK over to the Polygon Network so that you may continue to enjoy all of the benefits of the Permission Platform once the migration is complete. The transfer involves a swap between the legacy ASK token and ASK on Polygon at a 1:1 ratio.

To get started, simply navigate to the ASK Bridge and follow the prompts. We have also created a video guide and a set of instructions to walk you through the process.

To be clear, if your Wallet Balance is empty, then there is no need to migrate. ASK can safely stay in pending and will be able to be withdrawn directly onto the Polygon Network after the migration. Only if you currently have ASK in your Wallet Balance does Permission suggest that you migrate it over to the Polygon Network. We cannot migrate your ASK for you, so you must do it yourself.

Migration Details

Timeline

The Permission team is happy to share that the migration to Polygon has progressed smoothly. Since the migration period commenced in May, 2022, nearly all ASK holders have successfully migrated their tokens from the Permission blockchain to the Polygon network using the ASK Bridge.

Permission users and ASK holders who have not yet used the ASK Bridge to migrate their tokens to the Polygon network are encouraged to do so before June 10, 2023. After such date, no exchanges will be supporting the legacy ASK token on the Permission blockchain. Only the ASK token on the Polygon blockchain will continue to be supported by exchanges. Additionally, as the Permission Platform now runs entirely on Polygon, only the withdrawal of ASK tokens on the Polygon chain will be supported.

Exchanges

Naturally, we are aware that this migration to Polygon will affect the exchanges on which ASK is currently trading. Please note the below information is provided solely as a means of anticipating inquiries related to how the migration will impact ASK trading on various exchanges, and not as a solicitation or encouragement of exchange trading in any way:

If you hold ASK on these exchanges:

1. Bitrue
2. Gate.io

No action is needed on your part as they will migrate your ASK for you. Simply understand that when you withdraw your ASK from the exchange, you will automatically be withdrawing the Polygon version. Additionally, trading may be down for up to a week while they update the listing.

If you hold ASK on these exchanges:

1. Vitex
2. BitGlobal

At this time, these exchanges will not be supporting the Polygon ASK token. If you wish to migrate your ASK to Polygon, your ASK will need to be withdrawn to your Permission wallet or MetaMask and then use the ASK Bridge.

Getting Started With ASK On Polygon

Once you have migrated, your ASK can be used throughout the entire Polygon and Ethereum ecosystems! If you have never explored the depths of the wide world of crypto before and are wondering where to start, we have some info you may find interesting.

For starters, we have a blog on What Polygon Is & How To Use It. Next, you may find it helpful to watch this MetaMask tutorial if you aren’t already familiar with how it works.

Additionally, for a list of Polygon-supported hardware and software wallets, please visit this page.

You can also now transfer your ASK to the Ethereum mainnet using the Polygon Bridge. Instructions on how to use the Polygon bridge can be found here.

Still Have Questions?

Visit our updated FAQs regarding the Polygon migration for more information. And, if you still can’t find what you are looking for there, contact our support team.

For verification purposes, our official token contract address is: 0xaA3717090CDDc9B227e49d0D84A28aC0a996e6Ff

A new buzzword has been sweeping across current online discourse — Web 3.0. Mirroring the blockchain revolution, Web 3.0 has also been dubbed “the decentralized web.” The beginnings of Web 3.0 are already upon us. Change is coming — and fast. New innovations are sparking a shift in the balance of power on the Internet in favor of the consumer. Data ownership will no longer be confined to centralized institutions. Consumers will own and control their personal data.

Under Web 2.0, a few tech giants dominated the social arena, holding unfathomable amounts of power — and personal data — over and of the general public. Web 2.0 cemented an extreme lack of privacy in the online world. Users were forced to accept the terms and conditions offered to them if they had any desire to participate in digital social connection and stay up-to-date with their peers and within their careers.

In reality, online privacy has always been an illusion. The evolution of the digital advertising landscape ensured this, with tracking cookies and data collection leading to advertising practices that, as a baseline, require copious amounts of personal data to function. The vast majority of websites ignore “Do Not Track” requests, and the tech giants that dominated Web 2.0 all claimed to be fully compliant with the European Union’s (EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) California Consumer Privacy Act when it was unveiled (despite the fact that it was created to reign them in) by arguing that they fell into the category of “service providers.” These circumstances left individuals totally powerless to accept the fact that their data was being collected, sold and repurchased en masse without their ability to have any say in the matter.

So how will Web 3.0 change this? One of the main tenets of Web 3.0 is to put power back into the hands of consumers. Since privacy regulation is largely ineffective and complete anonymity is clearly an illusion, we should be looking to Web 3.0 for a more practical approach — data ownership and compensation. We can expect increased transparency, more individual control over personal data and heightened personal sovereignty. The days of dehumanizing consumers are ending. People are sick of it, and companies are starting to take notice. Scandals over the past few years have caused individuals to lose trust in big tech, leaving consumers feeling powerless.

This year, Facebook reported its first ever decrease in monthly active users, leading to a 26% drop in its shares in a single day. They blamed Apple’s iOS privacy changes and decreased advertiser budgets that utilize Facebook’s services. This is no coincidence. The giant is finally faltering, thanks to its own disenchanted users. Users are at the end of their ropes when it comes to rampant data exploitation, and this is one of the main reasons the ideals of Web 3.0 have begun to roll in.

Changes have already begun to blossom. With Apple’s iOS 14.5, published analytics data showed that up to 96% of users will opt out of tracking when given the chance. The days of buying data en masse from data brokers and collectors are drawing to a definitive close. Most browsers already block tracking cookies automatically, with Google Chrome announcing their plans to deprecate the software come 2023.

Still, online privacy remains more or less a farce. The data that has been collected is still out there, and it’s not going anywhere, not while it still has value. Federal legislation regarding consumer privacy has not been passed, and neither the GDPR nor CCPA has not proven strong enough to drastically change the landscape for the big players, though the enforcement of GDPR especially has resulted in several large fines.

But as is frequently said, if the cost of noncompliance is merely monetary, then it’s not illegal — just expensive. And money is something big tech has no shortage of.

The question remains: How will businesses and advertisers be able to survive online when consumers are automatically hesitant? The manifestation of individuals taking control of their data means that brands will have to take steps and leverage new technology to create direct, long-term relationships with consumers and offer value in exchange for data.

Asking permission and compensating individuals for their data, especially when their data is being utilized to encourage spending, is a practical and reasonable approach. Consumers have long seen their data appropriated with no real benefit to them, which is part of the reason that opt-out rates are so high. However, 79% of consumers have stated they are willing to share their data in exchange for a reward. Therein lies the answer: opt-in value exchange. In Web 3.0, the reward offered may take many shapes, but in light of developing blockchain technology and growing public interest, it seems cryptocurrency will be at the forefront of the new Internet. Data marketplaces are likely to soon become obsolete. Brands that want to succeed will need to acknowledge their consumers as human and cultivate direct relationships. The recent rise in first-party consumer data platforms (CDPs) has made this increasingly evident. Asking consumers directly for permission to use their data and providing value in exchange for it is the way forward.

Web 3.0 will continue to recognize that the notion of online privacy is not reflective of reality. However, it will do this in a way that puts control back into the hands of consumers and not only recognizes but takes into account the effects of historical online data practices. Overall, this is likely to lead to increased satisfaction on both ends, of the consumer and the advertiser. Consumers feel respected and humanized, while brands are able to more effectively build relationships with their target audiences and collect permissioned, first-party data. Digital advertising in Web 3.0 will certainly be a space worth watching.

This article originally appeared on Media Village and was guest authored by Permission’s CEO Charlie Silver. Click here to view the full article.

UPDATE as of June 26, 2023: The bridging period is now officially over. The Permission team would like to thank the community for their cooperation and support during this process. The bridge opened in May, 2022 and officially closed, as scheduled, on June 25, 2023. Users are no longer able to bridge their Permission Network Balance.Please note that users with a Pending ASK balance can maintain their ASK in Pending. When withdrawn, it will be transferred via the Polygon blockchain and, as such, will automatically be withdrawn as Polygon ASK.

UPDATE as of April 24, 2023: Permission users and ASK holders who have not yet used the ASK Bridge to migrate their tokens to the Polygon network are encouraged to do so before June 25, 2023. Legacy ASK token balances will not be visible in the wallet page on June 25, 2023. After such date, no exchanges will be supporting the legacy ASK token on the Permission blockchain. Only the ASK token on the Polygon blockchain will continue to be supported by exchanges. Additionally, as the Permission Platform now runs entirely on Polygon, only the withdrawal of ASK tokens on the Polygon chain will be supported.

Please ensure your ASK is bridged to Polygon ahead of June 25, 2023.

Migration FAQs

How do I migrate my ASK in my Permission wallet?The ASK Bridge is now available for users to port their ASK to the Polygon Network. Read these Bridge Migration Instructions or watch this How-To video. 

Does this mean I can send my ASK directly to my Ethereum wallet and then port it to Polygon?No! Do not try to use the official Polygon Bridge until after you have ported your tokens over using the ASK Bridge. Only after you have swapped your legacy ASK tokens for Polygon ASK tokens using the ASK Bridge can you then use the Polygon bridge.

How do I migrate my ASK that is being held on a hardware wallet?You can connect your hardware wallet to MetaMask and then interface with the ASK bridge through MetaMask by following these instructions.

What happens to my legacy ASK on the Permission blockchain?It is burned. This is a one-way bridge, so there is no going back.

How long do I have until the migration period is over?

Please ensure your ASK is bridged to Polygon ahead of June 25, 2023.

After June 25, 2023, no exchanges will be supporting the legacy ASK token on the Permission blockchain. Only the ASK token on the Polygon blockchain will continue to be supported by exchanges. Additionally, as the Permission Platform now runs entirely on Polygon, only the withdrawal of ASK tokens on the Polygon chain will be supported. 

I can’t migrate my ASK that is stuck in pending, what do I do?Don’t worry. You can keep your ASK in pending for as long as you want, and it will be just fine during the migration.

After my ASK is bridged to Polygon, how will it be supported?For information on support for ASK and other Polygon tokens, please see Polygon’s documentation about supported hardware and software wallets, etc.

ASK On Polygon FAQs

Can I send my ASK directly from my Polygon wallet to an Ethereum wallet?No. You have to bridge ASK back to the Ethereum Network first for it to show up in your wallet on the Ethereum Network. If you send it directly to an Ethereum address, it may show up in the Polygon wallet for that address, but not all Ethereum wallets support Polygon, so be careful!

Can I transfer my ASK to the Ethereum Network?Yes! Just be sure to use the Polygon Bridge to transfer the ASK to the Ethereum mainnet before trying to send it anywhere else.

Why can’t I find my ASK in my MetaMask wallet?Chances are it is one of two things: First, make sure you are on the Polygon Network by clicking the dropdown at the top of your MetaMask and selecting Polygon Network – or click here if you don’t have the Polygon Network setup on your MetaMask yet. Second, make sure that the ASK token placeholder is added to your MetaMask account. If you continue to experience issues, please contact permission support here.

Exchanges FAQs

Please note the below information is provided solely as a means of anticipating inquiries related to how the migration will impact ASK trading on various exchanges – this is not a solicitation or encouragement of exchange trading in any way:

How do I migrate my ASK that is being held on an exchange?If you hold ASK on these exchanges:

1. Bitrue
2. Gate.io

No action is needed on your part as they will migrate your ASK for you. Simply understand that when you withdraw your ASK from the exchange, you will automatically be withdrawing the Polygon version.

If you hold ASK on these exchanges:

1. Vitex
2. BitGlobal

These exchanges will not be supporting the Polygon ASK token. If you wish to migrate your ASK to Polygon, your ASK will need to be withdrawn to your Permission wallet or MetaMask and then use the ASK Bridge.

How do I migrate my ASK that is being held on an exchange?Yes, depending on the exchange, trading may be down for up to a week while they update the listing.

General Polygon FAQs

What is Polygon?Polygon is an interoperability layer two scaling solution for building Ethereum-compatible blockchains. Polygon effectively transforms Ethereum into a full-fledged multi-chain system. This multi-chain system is akin to other ones such as Polkadot, Cosmos, Avalanche etc. with the advantages of Ethereum’s security, vibrant ecosystem and openness.

What is MATIC?The Polygon network uses the MATIC token for gas fees, governance, and staking via a proof of stake (PoS) consensus mechanism.

How do I get MATIC?MATIC may be acquired by purchasing it on exchanges, and it is available on many. You may also receive small quantities of MATIC by using a Polygon faucet.

What is Layer 2?Layer-two is a secondary framework or protocol that is built on top of an existing blockchain system. The main goal of these protocols is to solve transaction speed and scaling difficulties.‍

How does Polygon Work?Being a layer-two scaling solution, Polygon uses a Proof of Stake (PoS) system of validators for asset security, and staking is an integral part of the ecosystem. Validators on the network stake their MATIC tokens as capital collateral in order to become part of the PoS consensus mechanism. Validators receive MATIC tokens in return.

Can I use ETH to pay for transactions on Polygon?No. All transactions on the Polygon Network require MATIC to pay the gas fees. However, you will need some ETH to transfer your tokens back to Ethereum mainnet, if you wish to do so.

Do I get a new Polygon wallet address?No, your Polygon wallet address will be the same as the address that you use for your Ethereum mainnet wallet.

How long do Polygon transactions take to execute?Transactions on the Polygon Network are very fast as new blocks only take 2 seconds to confirm.

Can tokens on the Polygon Network be transferred to Ethereum?Yes. To move assets from the Polygon Network to Ethereum mainnet, just use the Polygon Bridge.

How long does it take to transfer tokens using the Polygon bridge?Bridging tokens to the Polygon Network can take around 7 minutes. Bridging tokens back from the Polygon Network can take around 6 hours. However, when bridging your ASK from the legacy Permission Network to the Polygon Network, it may take up to 24 hours.

How do I use the Polygon Network?You use it much in the same way that you use any token on the Ethereum Network, however there are a few key differences. For more information, please click here.

More questions about Polygon?Visit the Polygon FAQ page.

UPDATE as of June 26, 2023: The bridging period is now officially over. The Permission team would like to thank the community for their cooperation and support during this process. The bridge opened in May, 2022 and officially closed, as scheduled, on June 25, 2023. Users are no longer able to bridge their Permission Network Balance.

Please note that users with a Pending ASK balance can maintain their ASK in Pending. When withdrawn, it will be transferred via the Polygon blockchain and, as such, will automatically be withdrawn as Polygon ASK.

UPDATE as of April 24, 2023: Permission users and ASK holders who have not yet used the ASK Bridge to migrate their tokens to the Polygon network are encouraged to do so before June 25, 2023. Legacy ASK token balances will not be visible in the wallet page on June 25, 2023. After such date, no exchanges will be supporting the legacy ASK token on the Permission blockchain. Only the ASK token on the Polygon blockchain will continue to be supported by exchanges. Additionally, as the Permission Platform now runs entirely on Polygon, only the withdrawal of ASK tokens on the Polygon chain will be supported.

Please ensure your ASK is bridged to Polygon ahead of June 25, 2023.

Permission is proud to announce our partnership with Polygon and the migration of ASK to the Polygon blockchain.

Polygon is known as the preeminent Ethereum scaling solution, having received widespread adoption with 7,000+ Dapps and 100M+ unique users. It is fully interoperable with Ethereum and enables much faster and cheaper transaction processing than Ethereum mainnet.

The decision to migrate away from Permission’s proprietary blockchain is an important one. We are confident doing so will advance our mission of bringing data ownership and personal sovereignty to millions through a Web3 advertising system that enables advertisers to “ASK permission” and interact with users and their data on a consent basis. Moreover, the move to Polygon will significantly expand ASK accessibility by enabling interoperability with the Polygon and Ethereum ecosystems, including access to DeFi, staking, and more.

We believe that the migration to Polygon will be a very positive development for the Permission community, as it will allow us to achieve greater utility, liquidity, and decentralization as well as enable us to accelerate and expand the use cases for ASK in ways which would have been exceedingly burdensome and resource-consuming on our own blockchain.

Permission chose Polygon specifically for several reasons:

1. Security – Security is paramount for any crypto project, and Polygon is similarly dedicated to ensuring that all tokens which use their network are absolutely secure, including ASK.
2. Cheap & Fast Transactions – Another crucial point for us was that our members remain able to send their ASK quickly and for minimal gas fees, which Polygon excels at. This will also enable the Permission platform to achieve scalability. 
3. Layer 2 – Permission believes that the future of crypto is on Layer 2. By expanding to Polygon first, ASK is maximally positioned to benefit from the utility of the Layer 2 network as it grows.
4. Ease Of Integrations – Because Polygon is ERC20 compatible, it will allow us to easily integrate with nearly any wallet, exchange, or project.
5. Size Of Ecosystem – Members will now be able to experiment with ASK in many of the 7000+ apps that exist within the Polygon ecosystem, including DeFi.
6. Passionate Community – We were thrilled to see that, just like Permission, Polygon has an incredibly passionate community. This makes us all the more confident that we will receive a warm welcome as we seek to expand our ASK family.

An $ASK Bridge to the Polygon Network will be available to $ASK holders and Permission users starting in early May, 2022. Using this bridge, users may port their $ASK to the Polygon Network, and subsequently to the Ethereum network as well, if they wish. More details on the bridge will be provided as the migration approaches.

Overall, Permission intends to position ourselves alongside Polygon as the ecosystem grows, and we are excited at the prospect of the ever-increasing utility of ASK as we work to expand its interoperability within the larger crypto ecosystem. Stay tuned for more updates on this matter. 

We are excited to share the news with our community that we have created the Permission Association to be seated in Zug, Switzerland. We are thrilled that the protocol will be relocating to “Crypto Valley” and joining a vibrant blockchain and cryptocurrency ecosystem across Switzerland and Lichtenstein — with Zug at its epicenter.

About the Permission Association

Permission has incorporated the Permission Association (“the Association”) in order to further decentralize the Permission Platform, which includes technologies and applications that enable individuals to own, control, and monetize their data. The Permission Platform, powered by Permission’s native token, “ASK,” advances data ownership and personal sovereignty by fostering a transparent data economy and enabling a fair value exchange between advertisers and consumers.

The mission of the Swiss-based Association is to develop, empower and expand the Permission Platform in a decentralized, independent way. The Association’s objectives include providing financial and non-financial support to the Permission Platform to further expand its decentralized protocols and applications in Web 3.0.

Additionally, the assembly of the Association is able to pass resolutions on the governance decisions for the Permission Platform. Permission users can become Members of the Association and have a voice when it comes to core technology governance decisions. Permission’s goal is to further increase the level of decentralization in the future by increasing the number of Members within the Association.

Our Decision to Associate in Zug, Switzerland

Known across the globe as “Crypto Valley,” Zug has in recent years become one of the most crypto-friendly jurisdictions in the world. The Kanton of Zug’s decentralized system, favorable tax framework, stable political environment, and mature and respected regulatory infrastructure have attracted some of the world’s most well-known blockchain projects. In Zug, Permission will no doubt be well-positioned for accelerated development, networking, and financing opportunities that will support ecosystem growth.

Permission Association Board of Directors

We are honored to announce the formation of an exemplary Executive Board to serve as founding members of the Permission Association. Charlie Silver is a serial entrepreneur and founder of Permission.io and will serve as the Board President. Patrick Storchenegger is a member of the foundation council of the Ethereum Foundation and owner of PST Legal, a law firm specializing in Swiss and international tax law, corporate law, commercial law, blockchain, and beyond. Raffaela Piraino serves as the Chief Financial Officer of the Energy Web Foundation and its related entities, and has served as CEO of several successful companies. This board possesses a wealth of priceless experience and interdisciplinary knowledge that will guide the Association and its goals into a successful future.

Looking Forward

To advance the goal of further decentralizing the Permission network, the Association’s immediate initiative is to enable Permission’s migration from its proprietary blockchain (“the Permission Blockchain”) to Polygon, the preeminent Ethereum scaling solution. The migration will require that a new ASK token be issued on the Polygon blockchain, replacing Permission’s current native token on the Permission chain.

Permission’s migration to Polygon recently received regulatory clearance from the government body responsible for financial regulation in Switzerland. The Swiss regulatory authority has answered a ruling request from Permission (also known as the “No-Action letter” process) pursuant to which the ASK token classification as a utility token under Swiss law was confirmed. Therefore, Permission’s planned token swap has achieved regulatory compliance under Swiss law.

Polygon’s infrastructure and scaling solutions will be core to decentralizing and growing Permission’s platform, which allows advertisers to “ASK permission” and interact with users and their data on a consent basis. The move to Polygon will significantly expand ASK accessibility and utility by enabling interoperability with the Polygon and Ethereum ecosystems, including access to DeFi, staking, and more.

Once the migration officially commences, a bridge will be available to all ASK holders and Permission users to port their ASK to the Polygon Network.

We are immensely excited for what the future has to hold. Stay tuned, as we will soon be releasing an updated roadmap and additional details about the migration to Polygon.

Permission is delighted to announce that the ASK digital currency will be listed on Gate.io, one of the top ten cryptocurrency exchanges globally with over ten million registered users. ASK will begin trading on Gate.io on February 17, 2022, with an ASK/USDT pairing.

The exchange offers spot, margin, futures and contract trading in addition to DeFi products through Hipo DeFi, custodial services through Wallet.io, investments through Gate Labs and its dedicated GateChain platform. Users can participate in a number of activities with ASK, including a liquidity mining rewards program where they can earn for providing liquidity for ASK. 

“It has been an exciting year for the crypto industry, and we are looking forward to having ASK be more readily available to crypto enthusiasts globally through our partnership with Gate,” said Charlie Silver, CEO of Permission.io. “ASK is the currency of permission, and we look forward to expanding ASK’s visibility while continuing our mission to empower consumers to own and earn from their data.”

Global privacy regulations, ad blockers, and ever-changing ad tech trends are calling for a new and improved advertising model-one built on consent and value exchange. Permission.io enables a global tokenized ad system whereby consumers can securely grant permission and monetize their data across the web, and marketers can build loyalty and trust while achieving better return on their ad spend.

Permission is delighted to announce a new partnership with Amasa. Aligning with Permission’s mission to empower users to own and earn from their data, Amasa is a Web 3 and DeFi platform that enables users to capture and capitalize on the wealth-building potential of micro-income streams and DeFi.

In this collaboration, Amasa users will be able to combine their Permission income with other background streams, then amplify this combined value via DeFi. Permission and Amasa will collaborate on technical integration opportunities to maximize income potential for users, and Permission looks forward to expanding its network of like-minded projects through Amasa’s Web 3 platform.

“Partnering with Amasa is right in line with our shared vision of truly empowering people to own and earn from their data – this connection serves to speed up the process for consumers who are now producers in Web 3” says Bobby Petersen, Permission’s VP of Marketing.

About AmasaBy building the world’s first micro income stream investment app, Amasa is working to inspire mass adoption of Web 3.0 platforms that reward participants for their gaming, time, energy, attention, content, data and interactions.