Chrome users can now tip their favorite websites: Here's how
What's the story
Google has unveiled plans to incorporate Web Monetization into its Chrome browser, offering an alternative income source for website owners via micro-payments. In a document spotted by BleepingComputer, the tech giant states "Web Monetization is a web technology that enables website owners to receive micro-payments from users as they interact with their content." "It provides a way for content creators and website owners to be compensated for their work without relying solely on ads or subscriptions," per the document.
Implementation details
Web Monetization support added to Google Chrome
Google has detailed how Web Monetization support can be added to any Chrome webpage using a rel="monetization" HTML attribute. This tag informs the browser that the website supports web monetization and specifies the payment processor to be used. "Notably, Web Monetization offers two unique features—small payments and no user interaction—users are paying/tipping for the content while they consume it," as mentioned in Google's document.
User experience
It offers user-controlled payments
The new feature allows website owners to express their interest in receiving payments while giving visitors complete control over the amount and timing of payments. Payments can occur automatically without user interaction, creating a seamless experience for those who wish to support a site while consuming its content. Web Monetization is still under development and has not yet become a W3C Standard. It is being advanced by the Web Platform Incubator Community Group.