Tumblr launches a tip jar feature to help bloggers make a buck | TechCrunch

Tumblr is launching its second attempt at a monetization feature today. Rolling out in the U.S. now and soon globally, Tumblr Tips will let bloggers receive one-time payments from their supporters. Tumblr will not take a cut from these payments, though standard credit card fees (2.9% + $0.30) will apply. Tipping is available on web, iOS and Android, but the company told TechCrunch that Tumblr will not rely on the Apple and Google internal billing systems to facilitate mobile tips, which means that creators won’t lose an extra 30% to fees. When users tip a creator, they can write a note alongside the tip. Anonymous tips are allowed, but in that case, the tipper wouldn’t be able to leave a message. Fans can send tips of up to $100 each. This tip jar-like feature follows Tumblr’s launch of Post+ last fall, which enabled users to charge a monthly fee for access to exclusive posts — but Post+ wasn’t welcomed with open arms on the platform. Even though many popular Tumblr creators link to external Patreon or Ko-Fi accounts to monetize their content, users lashed out at the idea of housing monetization features on the platform. Some worried about the legality…
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