> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://metaversus.gitbook.io/metaversus-ecosystem-overview/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://metaversus.gitbook.io/metaversus-ecosystem-overview/technologies/ipfs-storage.md). # IPFS Storage IPFS is a protocol for storing and sharing content. As in the blockchain world, every user is running its node (server) and can communicate between each other and exchange files. Why IPFS? The **IPFS is decentralized** because it loads the content from thousands of peers instead of one centralized server. Every piece of data is cryptographically hashed, resulting in a safe, unique **content identifier '**CID'. We chose IPFS to avoid censorship and a single point of failure. Even in the unlikely event our IPFS node goes offline the functionality will still load from other nodes across the globe serving it. Importantly, the integrity of **IPFS content can be cryptographically verified.** Finally, **the IPFS content is de-duplicated.** If you tried storing two identical 1MB files in the same IPFS node, they would be stored only once, eliminating the duplication, because their hash would produce an identical **CID.**