bradcoin
I agree that getting users on board is the biggest challenge. Premium content is certainly one additional way to get more users on board (and we've actually built a product that let's websites gate access / sell premium content, too!). I think there are actually a few ways we can give users more value by connecting them with the sites they love even more, so we're definitely thinking about how to bridge that connection! Let us know if you have other ideas or specific things you'd want to see.
I understand the concern around the tracking of browsing history, as that's obviously one of the main drivers of ad blockers in the first place!
We definitely need to make sure we deliver on transparency around what data is tracked, how it is stored, and how it is used. We will be releasing this in more detail on our site when we launch.
One key point for you to be aware of is that we do offer the ability to turn off tracking of browsing history. In that case, we'll give you the option to support sites automatically based on sites everyone else spends time with.
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback. I tend to agree with the core of what you're saying: that advertising has enabled, and should continue to be a main driver of, the creation of content on the internet. There's really no way to argue with that, and I don't think ads will ever go away entirely.
I also agree that things and content cost money to make. The truth is, in the US, the average ad block rate is currently 20%. That means a lot of content creators struggle to get enough money from ads, often leading them to create worse experiences (more ads, more aggressive ads) or more content (to get more eyeballs).
Our intention is to create an alternative to ad blockers that provides a sustainable option for websites and users. Specifically, we are trying to create a model that does not solely reward websites for attracting the most viewers or eyeballs, but rather incentivizes the creation and distribution of valuable content.