Web Monetization

Web Monetization is a way for web content creators to receive payment for their work in a standardized way. It is based on the Web Monetization API, which is a small piece of code that can be added to any web page. When a user with a compatible web browser or wallet visits the page, the API sends a request for a small amount of money to a payment service provider (PSP). The PSP processes the payment and sends a confirmation back to the user’s browser or wallet. Once the payment has been confirmed, the user can access the monetized content.

The Web Monetization API uses something called a “payment pointer” to identify the PSP and the account to which payment should be made. Payment pointers are special kinds of web addresses (also known as URIs or URLs) that start with ” pay:”. They contain information about the PSP and the account number of the person or organization that is receiving the payment. When the Web Monetization API sends a payment request, it includes the payment pointer in the request, so that the PSP knows where to send the money.

Web Monetization can be used to enable micropayments for access to individual pieces of content, or it can be used to enable continuous payments for ongoing access to a site or service. It is designed to be a more efficient and convenient way for content creators to get paid, and for users to pay for content. Instead of having to sign up for a separate subscription service or enter their payment information every time they want to access something, users can simply use their web browser or wallet to make small payments as they go.

Web Monetization is still a relatively new technology, and it is not yet widely used. However, it has the potential to revolutionize the way that content is monetized on the web, by making it easier for creators to get paid for their work and by providing users with a more convenient way to pay for content.

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This page was last updated on January 6, 2023.

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