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Zapvertising (some thoughts) 337,000 sats generated ($277) Opinion was split. I’d say about a third of users thought it was fun and interesting, a third found it useful and participated, and a third hated it and probably muted me lol. The anchor pricing of the menu had the desired effect, with most people opting for the 1k, 5k, and 10k sat options. The higher options were only there to make the main choices feel cheap by comparison. “Zap menus” as a concept received mixed feedback. Some people appreciated the transparency, while others felt it was a gross commoditization of interaction. Results for influencer-based algorithmic marketing were solid. Most boosted posts saw higher-than-normal engagement, with the highest-paid promotion leading to a doubling of follower count. I suspect this has less to do with my endorsement and more to do with visibility—people simply wouldn’t have seen those posts without a larger account like mine surfacing them. Conclusion: These kinds of behaviors—while still rare on Nostr and somewhat at odds with its organic, grassroots ethos—will likely become more common over time, just as they have on every other platform. The differentiating factor on Nostr is the lack of trust required to form these kinds of transactional relationships. Because the zap itself guarantees the interaction—there’s no middleman, no escrow, no contracts. Just a simple, verifiable exchange between peers. Which seems to broaden this type of marketing. And that’s interesting and different. View quoted note →

Replies (38)

There are have and have nots here without a great way of brushing the gap. It's really hard to get discovered/visible if you don't have a big account repost you. Primal trending is always the same accounts not because they have the best content but because they have the best reach and getting on primal trending feels like the only life line to getting discovered.
Just an interesting fact that I leave here just as awareness,and food for thought. In less than one day, you have collected with this experiment, more than a Brazilian receives as minimum salary, in a month of work ( 256$ ). Makes us think, doesn't it ? And I am not even going into countries where the minimum month salary is less than a quarter of that. Mindblowing, isn't it?
It is not the money that make this problem. It is the value of work that is not the same on this earth. So it is not a new problem that appear just now, it has always existed, but with world realtime information we now know it easiely. You know in some country a man can earn 1 month of work by selling drugs in a day or a week-end. Mindblowing, isn't it? The most important is not the salary you earn but if you can live with it decently and cover your needs, and your family needs, anywhere you live on this earth. I could also say some "privilegied" people can buy big expensive car, villa, boats, and live in some luxury i can't afford with my work. But is it what i want to live, no. I like my life as it is now. Happiness is not linked with money, even if money can sometimes help to reach it. Thanks for this thought sharing.
I totally agree with you and aware of what you said. Still it makes me sad the injustice of it all. We should, like you said, have at least enough to live a decent life, all of us, no exceptions. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Like you, I don't want or crave luxuries. I am grateful to have a room, food on my plate, comfort, and being blessed to be born and live in a peaceful country. My happiness comes not from things, but by being appreciative of my life, no matter the circumstances, and from the little things that are priceless: shared moments, exchanged experiences, deep connections. It's this and only this, that we take from this life. Thank you also for your shared thoughts. Much appreciated. 🙌
I agree with you. And this kind of injustice make me sad too. But i have also learn that sometimes it make us feel alive and sometimes it can be too much for our brain to overthink about it and feel guilty. I'm not saying here to close our eyes to not see the world as it is. I am saying all this is not entirely your fault, you shouldn't feel sad anytime you see the same injustice. Do your best if you can change any injustice you see. Act anytime you can, but don't expect to change all this world alone. just do your best and transform this sadness into fighting energy if needed. And you ever done it by your message about this injustice. It is a nice reminder that we can do it too like you do. But it is just a burden to want to change this by your own because you didn't made this "injustice" alone. Have a peaceful day/night, you were true to share it and in the right place for it. Thank you 🤗
I was intrigued and checked your post a few times throughout the day yesterday. I was genuinely surprised/amazed to see a few people paying the higher amounts. People may joke around sending 1k sats for this or 5k sats for that, but when they get to the 50k-100k+ range it feels like a more genuine transaction. Interesting to see what people are willing to pay for. Good experiment.
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Gotta say, this was fascinating to watch unfold. Felt like the first real infomercial era of Nostr…. “For just 5,000 sats, YOU TOO can boost your post!” But seriously, the experiment highlighted something unique about Nostr: the zap is the contract. No DMs, no backroom deals, just public sats and public boosts. Sure, some folks clutch their pearls at the “commodification of interaction,” but maybe we’re just being honest about how attention already works. Looking forward to the next season of Zapvertising. Maybe with tiered merch? “Pay 10k sats and I’ll roast your post too.” 🤣