Nostr Web Client

One thing I noticed on Nostr is after uploading an image, if I delete the related Nostr note (via a kind:5 delete), the media still remains on the media server, example Nostr Build website .

That creates "orphaned media" that:

Wastes storage

Is no longer referenced anywhere

May be something the user wanted removed

I think media hosts like Nostr Build should push for a NIP (protocol proposal) that defines a way for hosts to:

Be notified when a note is deleted

Know which npub originally used the media

Automatically clean up unreferenced or deleted media

For example I made a draft note and uploaded this Bitcoin picture using Amethyst with media server Nostr Build but I never actually submitted the note.

I deleted the draft and noticed the picture is still on Nostr Builds website forever.

https://media.letsfo.com/images/2025/07/21/nostr-media-servers.webp

#mediaservers

nostr:nprofile1qqsfnz2sqsflkatdssmeztxr90s8xrd7r07xkhfwaa6eu9zkcguljpgprpmhxue69uhkc6t8dp6xu6twvaex2mrp0yhxxmmdqyv8wumn8ghj7am9d33k7mt99ehx7um5wgh8w6twv5q3kamnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wwphhyar9d4hkuetjduhxxmmdh047hg

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Discussion

il_lost_ 5mo ago

if you want to remove the photo you can remove it on nostr build

mar 5mo ago

You need a paid subscription to remove photos. It doesn't really bother me if images stay on there since it's not my server.

il_lost_ 5mo ago

otherwise, I think the right section is here https://nostr.build/delete/

mar 5mo ago

interesting.. it worked. Nostr build knows your npub when you upload an image. Which is what I thought, but I thought they would know only if you submitted the note. I didn't submit it and went to delete it and it asked me for my npub and I entered and it deleted it.

The nostr build developers are smart.

𝕞𝕪𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕥𝕠𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖 5mo ago

Good idea. Plus multiple copies of the same media wastes space. Although, after a month or two, most notes just seem to disappear.

mar 5mo ago

I think most notes disappear because relays purge their content. At least the free relays do. I don't think the paid relays do.

𝕞𝕪𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕥𝕠𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖 5mo ago

I run my own backup relays , so wonder why they disappear for me!?

mar 5mo ago

maybe you're backup relay isn't always online. From your icon I only see relays not owned by you.

nostr.build 5mo ago

You can manually delete any free nostr.build media here:

https://nostr.build/delete/