# Applause-Based Payment Systems Medium's Clap Button Contributes to Authors' Payment Schemes By Joey Haar | Published 2017-08-23 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clap-button References: [thenextweb](https://thenextweb.com/apps/2017/08/23/mediums-claps-feature-will-now-help-authors-get-paid-or-so-it-thinks/#.tnw_kJzGON6f) & [blog.medium](https://blog.medium.com/show-authors-more-%EF%B8%8F-with-s-c1652279ba01) Medium, the blogging platform, has recently introduced a Clap button, and it's hoping that the new feature will create a more balanced [payment structure for authors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creatorcentric-billboard) published on it. The Clap button, which will be at the bottom of all articles behind Medium's paywall, is more than a creative equivalent of a [like button or heart icon](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/weare8); it lets users virtually clap as many times as they please, in the same way that one might clap after a live performance. In terms of payout, Medium will use the Clap button to determine which authors' articles were most appreciated and thus most valuable. The platform will divide [paying users' monthly fees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sponsorapp) according to the amount of Claps each article received. In theory, this should lead to a merit-driven payout structure for Medium's authors behind the paywall. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 36% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Merit-based Payment:** Creating payment structures based on the value and appreciation of content can disrupt traditional payment models for authors. - **Virtual Applause:** Introducing virtual clapping as a form of user engagement can revolutionize the way users express appreciation and support for content. - **Creative Payment Structures:** Exploring innovative ways to reward authors based on user feedback can lead to more balanced and fair compensation systems. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Blogging Platform:** Blogging platforms can leverage applause-based payment systems to attract and retain talented authors, incentivizing quality content creation. - **Social Media Platforms:** Social media platforms could adopt virtual applause features to enhance user engagement and foster a sense of community. - **Content Monetization Services:** Content monetization services can explore implementing merit-based payment structures to provide authors with transparent and fair compensation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Appreciation Recognition Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/applaudable-enables.md) - [Social Media Tipping Features](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-media-tipping-features.md) - [Digital Creator Revenue Shifts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beehiiv.md) - [Knowledgeable Pay-Per-Use Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fourdotpay.md) - [Sound Recognition Triggers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clap-detector.md) - [Payout-Focused Artist Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-music-group.md) - [Personalized Social Feedback Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dislike-button-1.md) - [Simple Creator Support Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-me-a-beer.md) - [Tip Collection Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/card-machine.md)