Economic model — revenue share without per-play metrics

Context

A compensation system designed to distribute platform revenue to contributors without tracking individual listens or engagement metrics. Compensation was tied to presence within a defined time window rather than to usage-based measurement.

Conditions

Platform revenue calculated on a quarterly basis. Net revenue defined as total receipts minus fixed platform operating costs. Songs eligible for compensation if present on the platform during the quarter. Each song assigned fixed percentage allocations per collaborator. Quarterly net revenue divided evenly across all eligible songs. Song-level allocations distributed to collaborators according to predefined percentages. No per-play tracking. No listen counts displayed or stored. No algorithmic weighting based on usage.

Observations

Compensation was decoupled from individual listener behavior. Contributors evaluated participation based on revenue structure rather than exposure metrics. Attention shifted from optimizing plays to clarifying collaboration percentages. Economic discussion centered on system design rather than performance tactics. Contributors assessed the platform as a shared economic environment rather than a marketplace.

What did not occur

No tracking of individual listens. No competition between contributors for attention-based metrics. No incentive to influence listener behavior. No requirement for contributors to promote or drive traffic. No negotiation around attribution tied to performance outcomes.

Status

Active