Tumblr has officially shut down its “Tips” feature, which allowed creators to receive one-time payments from their followers. The decision was made as the feature failed to gain traction and did not see the usage the company had hoped for. This move aligns with Tumblr’s plan to discontinue underperforming features.
Although the shutdown of Tips may affect only a small number of users, Tumblr acknowledged that those who did utilize the feature admired their peers and expressed regret for taking it away. This shows that the company values its community and wants to provide them with features that are truly beneficial.
The introduction of Tips came in 2022 as a complement to Post+, Tumblr’s subscription offering that allowed creators to put their content behind a paywall. However, Post+ faced backlash from users and was discontinued last year. It seems that users were not receptive to the platform’s attempts to monetize their experience, which likely contributed to the lack of success for Tips.
Despite the discontinuation of Tips, Tumblr still offers its Supporter badge as a monetization feature. This badge, which costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year, allows users to display their support for the platform on their blog. As time goes on and the user continues to support Tumblr, the badge will become shinier, indicating their ongoing commitment.
Overall, it is clear that Tumblr is continuously evaluating and refining its features to better serve its community. While Tips did not resonate with users, the platform is still committed to providing opportunities for creators to monetize their content through options like the Supporter badge. By listening to user feedback and evolving accordingly, Tumblr aims to create a positive and engaging experience for its users.
