alt Hacker NewsThe open web is a platform for freeloaders. Since day 1 the expectation is that whatever is accessible will be free. And whatever isn't will be made free by whatever means necessary. Web content creators/publishers don't bother with micropayments infrastructure because no one is going to pay. Ads are a proven business model and they are going to stay.
There are other platforms where micropayments have in fact been solved – see Twitch, OnlyFans, YouTube, Substack, Patreon, IAP on iOS/Android, WeChat, Gaming. That's where the innovation in the space will be because that's where the money is.
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7 years ago I tried to start a project to allow customers to pay through the ad networks. IE rather than seeing ads, you'd see something saying how much you were providing to the web page owner. I've so far been unable to actually build it though.
"Solved" in the sense that Twitch gets 50% of the payment. This is an outrageous cut.
> That's where the innovation in the space will be because that's where the money is.
Agreed completely, assuming that "innovation" is a euphemism for "grifting". These platforms are completely dominated by rent-seeking and borderline fraudulent garbage. I'd take a web ring over the front page of the App Store in any context.