Author: Jiyun Kyung, Business Development (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiyunkyung/)
[TL;DR]
- Social login is an authentication method that allows users to easily log in to other websites or apps using their existing social media accounts.
- Applying social login to Web3 wallets can lower the entry barrier to Web3 services through user-friendly authentication.
- The Wepin wallet supports various social logins such as Google, Apple, Naver, and Discord, and provides them flexibly according to client requirements.
- Web3 wallets equipped with social login will become an essential solution for Web2 companies' entry into Web3.
1. What is Social Login?
Social login is an authentication method that allows users to log in to other websites or applications using their existing social media (SNS) accounts. Typically using social media credentials such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, and LinkedIn, users can easily log in with a single click without the need to create a separate account. This method eliminates the hassle of entering information and remembering specific passwords on numerous websites.
Social login simplifies user authentication while also enjoying the benefits of strong security provided by platforms like Google. This allows users to use various online services in a safer and more convenient way.
2. Advantages and Forms of Social Login
2.1 Advantages of Social Login
Social login provides various benefits to both users and service providers. From the user's perspective, convenience is the biggest advantage. Users can easily log in using their existing social media accounts without the hassle of creating and managing new accounts each time. This convenience saves users time and lowers the entry barrier to online service use.
From the service provider's (usually company's) perspective, social login can increase user engagement and improve sign-up conversion rates. By simplifying complex registration procedures, more users can be encouraged to use the service.
2.2 Forms of Social Login
Social login is provided in various forms, typically including Facebook login, Google login, Twitter login, and LinkedIn login. Each social login reflects the characteristics of its respective social media platform.
- Facebook login provides users with a smooth login experience based on Facebook's global user base.
- Google login allows users to access various services with a single account within Google's extensive ecosystem. It also comes with Google's strong security measures.
- Twitter login appeals to users who prefer simple sign-up procedures. Users can easily sign up for other services using their Twitter account information.
- LinkedIn login is mainly used for professional services. Users can log in to various platforms while sharing their professional credentials.
In addition, there are social logins using platforms frequently used in each country. In the case of Korea, Naver and Kakao are widely used, so users can social login with accounts from these platforms. However, social logins from platforms that can only be used by citizens of specific regions have the disadvantage that global users may find it difficult to sign up. Conversely, when entering a specific region, supporting social login of messengers or SNS frequently used in that country can be one strategy.
3. Comparison of Service Sign-up and Authentication Methods in Web2 and Web3
In the past, Web2 and Web3 showed significant differences in service sign-up and authentication methods. While user-friendly and intuitive authentication methods like social login were widely used in Web2, Web3 used long seed phrases or complex private keys. This difference has been a major obstacle to the popularization of Web3 services.
3.1 Web2's Social Login Authentication Method
Web2's social login provides users with a familiar and convenient authentication method. Users can log in to various web services using social media accounts such as Facebook and Google, eliminating the need to create and manage separate accounts. It also allows users to utilize the strong security measures of social media platforms, ensuring the safety of user data.
3.2 Web3's Private Key/Seed Phrase Authentication Method
In Web3, due to the emphasis on decentralization and self-sovereign identity concepts, authentication methods different from existing social logins have been used. In the case of Web3 wallets, user authentication is typically processed using mnemonic phrases consisting of 12-24 words or 256-bit private keys. While this method has the advantage of giving users complete control over their identity and digital assets, it has also caused significant inconvenience in terms of user experience.
For general users, it's not easy to safely store and manage long seed phrases. If a seed phrase is accidentally lost or a private key is stolen, assets stored in the wallet could be lost forever. This risk has acted as a major barrier to the popularization of Web3 services and has been a factor making many users hesitant to enter the Web3 ecosystem.
4. Applying Social Login to Web3 Wallets
As cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (dApps) gain attention, the need for secure and user-friendly authentication methods in Web3 wallets has emerged. In this context, social login is a way to greatly improve the usability of Web3 wallets.
Existing Web3 wallets were difficult for general users to access because they required complex private key management. However, by supporting social login, users can easily access wallets through familiar social media accounts. This change can lower the entry barrier to Web3 services and bring more users into the blockchain ecosystem.
In reality, many Web3 wallets currently support social login, and it has become essential, especially in consumer services or products. Looking at trends, many services now provide two options by default: MetaMask and social login (or email login). Some refer to this authentication method as Web2.5 rather than Web3.
5. Social Login in Wepin Wallet
The Wepin wallet is innovating the usability of Web3 wallets by allowing users to easily create and access wallets through their existing social media accounts. Currently, the Wepin wallet provides four social login options - Google, Apple, Naver, and Discord - allowing users to access their wallets in the most familiar and convenient way for them.
Among these, Google and Apple logins are options for global users, being the most widely used social login services worldwide. As many users use Google and Apple services daily, logging into the Wepin wallet through these provides a very natural and intuitive experience.
Naver login is an option for Korean users and is an essential element for the spread of Wepin wallet in the domestic market. Naver is the most used portal site and social login service in Korea, being a familiar authentication method for many domestic users. By supporting Naver login in the Wepin wallet, it's expected to significantly lower the entry barrier for domestic users.
Discord login can be considered an option specialized for Web3 and NFTs. Discord is the most widely used communication platform in NFT projects and communities, being a familiar service to many NFT users. By supporting Discord login in the Wepin wallet, it can make the user experience within the NFT ecosystem even smoother.
Notably, the social login options in the Wepin wallet are not fixed. It's possible to add new social login methods or selectively provide some of the existing options according to client requests. This flexibility means that the Wepin wallet can provide the optimal social login configuration tailored to the characteristics and target user base of the client's dApp or project.
For example, for a dApp targeting global users, social login options can be configured to provide Google, Apple, and Discord logins while excluding Naver login. Conversely, for a service specialized for domestic users, Naver login could be included as a mandatory option. If the service is targeting Japan, Line could be included. In this way, the flexible social login provision method of the Wepin wallet is expected to be of great help in implementing the optimal user authentication experience tailored to the characteristics of Web3 services.
Additionally, the Wepin wallet also provides a 'unified login' feature to further enhance user convenience. This feature, which integrates the service login of dApps or projects with the Wepin wallet login, allows users to use both the service and wallet with a single login. This integrated login system will minimize friction in the process of using Web3 services and greatly improve the user experience.
The diverse and flexible social login options and unified login feature of the Wepin wallet can be considered a leading case of user authentication innovation in the Web3 ecosystem. Wepin wallet's efforts to provide the optimal login experience from a user-centric perspective will greatly contribute to bringing more users into Web3.
6. Conclusion: The Value of Social Login-Equipped Web3 Wallets for Web2 Companies
When a company that has been providing services in the Web2 environment wants to expand its business into the Web3 area, a Web3 wallet equipped with social login can be a very attractive solution. Web3 wallets like the Wepin wallet, which provide user-friendly and flexible social login options, will help solve various challenges faced by Web2 companies.
Above all, Web3 wallets equipped with social login can effectively lower the entry barrier for Web2 users to Web3 services. As Web2 users are already familiar with social login, if they can access Web3 services through the same authentication method, they will be able to adapt to the new ecosystem much more naturally. This approach will greatly help Web2 companies flexibly transition their existing user base to Web3.
Also, Web3 wallets equipped with social login can seamlessly integrate with services provided by Web2 companies. Like the 'unified login' feature of the Wepin wallet, integrating the company's service login with the Web3 wallet login can provide users with a consistent and convenient experience. This integration will break down the boundaries between Web2 and Web3 services and promote users' use of Web3 services.
Furthermore, Web3 wallets supporting flexible social login configurations, like the Wepin wallet, allow companies to provide optimal authentication options tailored to their service characteristics and target user base. They can receive support for social logins suitable for each Web3 project, whether it's a global service, local service, or NFT-specialized service. This customized approach will contribute to enhancing the company's competitiveness in the Web3 market and maximizing the satisfaction of end users.
In the process of Web2 companies exploring transition to Web3, the use of Web3 wallets equipped with social login will become an indispensable element. Innovative solutions like the Wepin wallet will serve as a bridge connecting Web2 and Web3, providing a foundation for Web2 companies to successfully adapt and grow in the Web3 era.
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