In the age perpetually dropping subscriptions and ad revenues why haven't content providers made it possible for readers to "tip" for articles they like? Has anyone ever experimented with this?

I am asking this as someone who reads a lot of content online and could see myself leaving a tip for an article I appreciate if it was as easy as "liking" an article or leaving a comment. Granted, I also give money to public radio even though no one forced me to. But clearly I am not alone, at least on the radio front. I can't help but wonder if there is a potential revenue stream that the publishers and writers have ignored.

Is it due to lack of seamless technology? Would it be seen as tacky? Other ideas?

Maria Popova, among others, actually (I think) does fairly well with this system, though I'm not privy to how well, nor should she be compelled to tell the world. (Though it would be fascinating.)

But the problem is and always has been one-click micropayments. I have no idea why Google Wallet is such an undeveloped service; it seems like it could be so dominant.

I personally don't like it as a structure of one's income--not that there's anything wrong with living off tips IRL or online--but just as an unstable income channel for the creator. (Also I think people feel like they "own" you a little when they've micro-paid you; can be good and bad.)

Back in the day we used to do this with Amazon wishlists. Once someone tipped me a bike.

I'm with Choire. Tipping is great ancillary revenue, but it's unreliable as a primary source of income. Because it's unreliable, it doesn't remove much risk when it comes to writing and reporting that next story. One would also need a universally embraced system (like a Flattr) to take hold so users would be able to do it quickly and seamlessly.

As for why publishers haven't embraced it, would it conflict with their already existing subscription plans? Would it over-reward popular writers and ignore writers of less popular beats and topics?

What publishers can do (and probably already do) is give the writers bonuses based on whether readers liked and shared the story.

(Did you like my answer? Buy me this Kindle!) amazon.com

Great points, thanks guys.

I hear your point about unreliability as a primary revenue stream. I suppose the logical follow up question would be what is it about written content that makes it inherently different from other endeavors in which we find paying the creator normal and expected (eg, music).

Or to rephrase, are readers not paying for content because no one has come around to make it as easy as iTunes has made it for music? (I know 'tip' ≠ payment for song..but the principle still stands).

I keep going back to the example of radio and some 100,000 New Yorkers who are apparently paying members. Are publishers just missing out because they're afraid to ask?

As a reader many many times I want SO BADLY to pay, subscribe, support, promote, whatever, and there's no way to do any of these things. Seems like there is a lot of money being left on the table? And the more opportunities you offer, the better. I might forget this time, or be in a hurry, but hit me up next time! Like, if there is always a button around where I might contribute--or if you offer something good, like a hard copy of a favorite piece, some token, a mug, a ticket to a reading or event--I'll catch some of those opportunities.

(Oh my god, still with the Freeman Dyson!?)

Also: Hardly anybody offers Paypal links, but pretty much anyone who uses eBay has got Paypal. You might not have a credit card at your desk, but you don't have to leave your desk to access Paypal!!

The problem with Paypal in this context is multifold (1) it's a pretty expensive way to send small payments (see link) (2) given it's design for larger payments, it's security layers make the payments annoying to make -- it takes ~ 6 clicks and username/password validation to do so.

(Which isn't to say I don't use it to send money to writers if they make it possible...just yearning for a more seamless solution)

More philosophically, "donating" money with Paypal to someone always seems like charity as opposed to "I want to compensate you for THIS article". And maybe readers and/or authors would actually have a problem with that sort of direct capitalism/consumerism?

I remember from the days I was on the receiving end how greedy Paypal was. But until there is wide enough adoption of micropayments it won't even be attractive to fund the development of competitors? At this point we can't expect a startup to grow the kind of business we're talking about. (?)

What is the state of new platforms using existing payment processors (visa/mc? how do gas stations process atm cards?) that you could build into an existing web property, so that readers could just sign up once with a CC# and make micropayments that way? Don't even call it a tip, a new name and/or something that makes sense to offer in exchange for money... e.g., bind all the articles the reader paid for into a just-for-him paperback book he'd receive at the end of the year. He could order more than one, so he could give as holiday gifts.

What I'm really saying is, as a reader I have the impulse to part with money every day on the web in exchange for something I've enjoyed, and no way of parting with it. I can't be alone in this.

p.s. Alex you are so right about "donating," it has the air of a begging bowl.

So these people are making a move: 25c.com

People should like, pay for products though. And things.

Also there's something else good coming down the pipeline from a developer I know, that helps writers distribute. Soon I think! Doesn't have a $$$ system built in but easily could at some point. But the distribution channel is very nice...

Maria -- "until there is wide enough adoption of micropayments it won't even be attractive to fund the development of competitors". This is a typical technology adoption problem. I could argue that this is in fact the reason why someone should plow funding into this. If someone manages to get this to take off, it will be painful to replicate.

Choire -- I have to check them out. I like the "25 cent" hook though. What do you mean by "people should pay for products and things"? Are you objecting to the idea of paying for intangible stuff?