Anyone familiar with Amazon Honor System?

denasio · 07-04-2001, 03:28 AM

Anyone familiar with this system?

Amazon Honor System

[This message has been edited by denasio (edited 07-04-2001).]

Headshop · 07-04-2001, 04:01 AM

I checked out the site they had as an example, killfrog.com . I couldn't find where they were using it on their site, maybe they chuck it.

**Czar** · 07-04-2001, 05:17 AM

There was a great deal said about this system earlier this year (which was when it officially debuted). While most sites seem to fail dismally in their desire to attract donations, a few properties that attracted very loyal, and perhaps tech-savvy, adult crowds did see success for a limited time. UseIt and Penny-Arcade received several thousand dollars in donations just weeks after joining.

Of course, having a crowd of loyal visitors who return often suggests that donations would decrease over time, after those regulars who were willing to donate did so, and once the novelty factor wore off. Just as was predicted earlier, we're now seeing Amazon's virtual tip jars popping up all over the place, and even if they do refer to visitors by name (if you have registered at Amazon.com or the iMDB previously), the more supply there exists, the less willing a user is likely to be to donate.

If you feel that your audience may be willing to support your site by pledging a donation, rather than having a subscription model forced upon them, or risking the site's demise, then this may be worth a try. For most sites, though, it's unlikely to net significant results.

------------------
Czar

NET-ADS - Online Advertising News & Reviews
All-4-Free Freebie Tree
HEADLINES.com.au - News for Aussies!

emmzee · 07-04-2001, 08:20 AM

Some sites that I've seen using the Honor System:

Penny-Arcade: www.penny-arcade.com (probably the biggest success story ... so far so good, that is)

The Underdogs: www.theunderdogs.org

Geek News: www.geeknews.net

I think Webby Games (formerly www.webbygames.com) was trying it out too but since I can't access that site at the moment I guess things didn't work out too well for them. :/

I would consider trying it myself but it's US-only, darnit. I would try Paypal Donations instead but it's ALSO US-only. Bah.

I'd really *love* to see a system setup (internationally!) that allowed for true micropayments ... ie, user clicks and can donate say 5 cents instead of the $1 minimums for Amazon/Paypal. I don't know how that could be implemented economically from the business end (do credit card companies have a minimum charge or something) but I would definitely sign up for such a system!

(edit: I meant "things", not "thinks" ^_^)

------------------
Darren Hewer
webmaster, www.dosgames.com & www.potofgold.org
dosgames.com is back! Visit for over 200 freeware/shareware DOS games.
"Some people have a way with words, while others ... uhhhhh ... thingy."

[This message has been edited by MZ (edited 07-04-2001).]

AhmedF · 07-05-2001, 07:36 AM

If I remember right .. shugashack had it for like a day and raised over 2k [alongwith the PayPal donate]

07-04-2001, 03:28 AM	#1
denasio Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Netherlands Posts: 136	Anyone familiar with Amazon Honor System? Anyone familiar with this system? Amazon Honor System [This message has been edited by denasio (edited 07-04-2001).]

07-04-2001, 05:17 AM	#3
Czar Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Posts: 9,468	There was a great deal said about this system earlier this year (which was when it officially debuted). While most sites seem to fail dismally in their desire to attract donations, a few properties that attracted very loyal, and perhaps tech-savvy, adult crowds did see success for a limited time. UseIt and Penny-Arcade received several thousand dollars in donations just weeks after joining. Of course, having a crowd of loyal visitors who return often suggests that donations would decrease over time, after those regulars who were willing to donate did so, and once the novelty factor wore off. Just as was predicted earlier, we're now seeing Amazon's virtual tip jars popping up all over the place, and even if they do refer to visitors by name (if you have registered at Amazon.com or the iMDB previously), the more supply there exists, the less willing a user is likely to be to donate. If you feel that your audience may be willing to support your site by pledging a donation, rather than having a subscription model forced upon them, or risking the site's demise, then this may be worth a try. For most sites, though, it's unlikely to net significant results. ------------------ Czar NET-ADS - Online Advertising News & Reviews All-4-Free Freebie Tree HEADLINES.com.au - News for Aussies!

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07-04-2001, 04:01 AM	#2
Headshop Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Posts: 68	I checked out the site they had as an example, killfrog.com . I couldn't find where they were using it on their site, maybe they chuck it.

07-04-2001, 08:20 AM	#4
emmzee Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: Mississauga, Ontario Posts: 1,372	Some sites that I've seen using the Honor System: Penny-Arcade: www.penny-arcade.com (probably the biggest success story ... so far so good, that is) The Underdogs: www.theunderdogs.org Geek News: www.geeknews.net I think Webby Games (formerly www.webbygames.com) was trying it out too but since I can't access that site at the moment I guess things didn't work out too well for them. :/ I would consider trying it myself but it's US-only, darnit. I would try Paypal Donations instead but it's ALSO US-only. Bah. I'd really love to see a system setup (internationally!) that allowed for true micropayments ... ie, user clicks and can donate say 5 cents instead of the $1 minimums for Amazon/Paypal. I don't know how that could be implemented economically from the business end (do credit card companies have a minimum charge or something) but I would definitely sign up for such a system! (edit: I meant "things", not "thinks" ^_^) ------------------ Darren Hewer webmaster, www.dosgames.com & www.potofgold.org dosgames.com is back! Visit for over 200 freeware/shareware DOS games. "Some people have a way with words, while others ... uhhhhh ... thingy." [This message has been edited by MZ (edited 07-04-2001).]

07-05-2001, 07:36 AM	#5
AhmedF Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 671	If I remember right .. shugashack had it for like a day and raised over 2k [alongwith the PayPal donate]