Research & Impact
Proving a Better Way: Researching The Integrity Model's Impact
An Experiment in Digital Progress
The Integrity Model isn't just a philosophical statement—it's an ongoing research project exploring whether there's a measurably better way to fund and create digital content. We're testing whether value-aligned partnerships can deliver superior outcomes for users, creators, and brands compared to traditional advertising models.
This research matters because the stakes are high. If we can prove that quality-focused, value-driven content models work at scale, we could inspire a fundamental shift in how the internet operates.
Key Research Questions
Our investigation centers on several critical questions that could reshape digital content funding:
User Experience & Engagement
Does this model lead to higher user satisfaction and meaningful engagement? We're measuring not just time spent, but the quality of that time—whether users feel genuinely served rather than manipulated or interrupted.
Creator Sustainability & Quality
What are the long-term impacts on creator sustainability and content quality? Can creators produce better work when freed from the pressure to optimize for algorithmic engagement? Does this funding model provide more stable, predictable income streams?
Brand Value & Perception
How do brands perceive the value of 'aligned support' versus traditional advertising ROI? We're exploring whether deeper mission alignment creates stronger brand association and loyalty than interruptive advertising.
Scalability & Adoption
Can this model scale beyond niche applications and inspire broader adoption? What conditions are necessary for the Integrity Model to work across different content types, audiences, and industries?
Trust & Transparency
Does transparent, value-aligned funding actually build stronger trust between creators and audiences? How does this impact long-term community building and creator-audience relationships?
Current Status: Early Experiments & The Need for Data
We're in the earliest stages of testing these ideas. Our initial experiment, competent.world, is still in development—a web application exploring how value-aligned sponsorship might work in practice. While it will test some aspects of the model (user experience without ads, value-aligned category sponsorship), it represents just one small piece of the larger puzzle.
What We're Learning So Far
- Concept Validation: Early conversations with potential creators and sponsors suggest genuine interest in alternatives to traditional advertising models
- Design Challenges: Building user experiences that prioritize value over engagement metrics requires fundamentally different design decisions
- Sponsor Alignment: Initial discussions reveal that brands are curious about supporting platforms and creators whose missions they genuinely believe in
What We Still Need to Understand
The truth is, we have more questions than answers. The Integrity Model remains largely theoretical until we can gather real data from real implementations across different types of content and creators.
This is where we need collaborators. The research is only as strong as the experiments we can conduct together.
Future Research Directions
Expansion Studies
We plan to test the Integrity Model across different content categories and creator types—from educational platforms to creative communities to professional tools—to understand where it works best and why.
Economic Modeling
Developing comprehensive financial models that demonstrate the long-term value proposition for all stakeholders, including detailed comparisons with traditional advertising revenue streams.
Cross-Platform Analysis
Studying how the Integrity Model might work within existing platforms or require new infrastructure, and what the adoption barriers and facilitators might be.
Behavioral Psychology Research
Collaborating with researchers to understand the psychological impacts of ad-free, value-aligned content experiences on both creators and users.
Open Invitation: Help Us Build the Evidence
This research can only succeed with diverse participants testing the model in different contexts. We need creators, platforms, brands, and researchers willing to experiment together.
For Content Creators
Are you interested in trying value-aligned sponsorship instead of traditional advertising? We're looking for creators willing to test this model and share data on:
- How it affects your creative process and content quality
- Whether it provides more sustainable income than ad-driven models
- How your audience responds to transparent, value-aligned partnerships
For Platforms & Publishers
If you run a content platform, newsletter, podcast, or website, you could help test key aspects of the Integrity Model by experimenting with value-aligned sponsorship approaches and measuring the results.
For Brands
Forward-thinking companies willing to try supporting creators and platforms based on mission alignment rather than just reach metrics. Help us understand what value-aligned partnerships look like from the sponsor perspective.
For Researchers
Academic institutions, data scientists, and behavioral researchers who want to study alternative digital monetization models. We need rigorous methodology and objective analysis to understand what actually works.
What We're Asking For
- Small experiments testing aspects of the model in your existing context
- Data sharing (anonymized) about user engagement, creator satisfaction, and sponsor outcomes
- Case studies of attempts to implement value-aligned partnerships
- Feedback on the model itself—what's missing, what doesn't make sense, what could work better
The goal isn't to prove we're right—it's to figure out what actually works and build evidence for sustainable alternatives to the attention economy.
Contributing to the Knowledge Base
Our goal isn't just to prove that the Integrity Model works for us—it's to build a knowledge base that helps others implement similar approaches successfully. We're committed to sharing our findings, both positive and negative, to advance the broader conversation about sustainable digital content funding.
If you're interested in collaborating, have relevant research to share, or want to pilot the Integrity Model in your own context, we'd love to hear from you.
The future of the internet isn't predetermined. Let's research our way to something better.
