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03/20/2002 Archived Entry: "Should we pay for content on the web?"

There is a new survey over at Netdiver asking about the new trend in independent (and not so independent) sites asking for payment. I tend to lean towards the vision of the web as network of communities and think that payment is only going to close many communities to new members (not to mention members without tons of disposable cash). Information wants to be free after all - that's what they say anyway [more info about that quote here].

I also question whether these sites are going to pay us for our contributions. What about sites that take surveys? Sites that ask for user comments? Sites that track our movements? And what about sites that ask for members to submit articles? How about sites like Slashdot? The value of some sites lies in their aggregation of visitor opinions. If sites start charging money for their content, shouldn't they also pay us for our contributions to their content?

The argument that it takes money to run sites, and that money must come from visitors, is only relevant if their are no other revenue streams possible. Perhaps asking for money for enhanced content - like streaming video and audio - is okay, but community-based sites and independent sites may die off if they force visitors to pay for their main content.

I'm just not sure that asking for money from visitors is more sustainable than banner-ads. What is stopping people from taking your idea for a site and providing the same sort of content elsewhere? If your site is so popular and so unique - then fine go for it. Unless you are confident that your site is impossible to replicate elsewhere, don't start charging for your content, or someone else will provide the same info for free.

And that would be a shame. Part of what makes the web such a beautiful concept is that you *can* find all kinds of different opinions, information and blather that you wouldn't normally be exposed to, and sometimes wouldn't be able to find elsewhere. If much of that information is hidden - only to be revealed by waving your credit card and chanting the magic words - the web won't be as beautiful a place anymore.