The model
How The Integrity Model Works: Funding Quality, Building Trust
The Problem We're Solving
The internet's advertising model has created a destructive cycle. Creators chase clicks and views to survive, flooding platforms with content optimized for engagement rather than value. Users face intrusive ads and declining quality. Brands pay for fleeting attention from distracted audiences. Trust erodes as everyone competes in a race to the bottom.
The result? Creator burnout, user frustration, and a digital landscape that rewards volume over substance.
The Integrity Model Solution
We propose a fundamental shift: value-aligned sponsorship that connects brands with creators and platforms whose missions they genuinely want to support.
Instead of buying ads to interrupt users, brands invest in content ecosystems that already embody their values. Instead of optimizing for clicks, creators focus on depth and authenticity. Instead of being the product, users become the true beneficiaries of quality content funded by partners who share their interests.
How It Works
Value Alignment
Sponsors don't just buy ad space—they support creators and platforms whose missions align with their own values. A company that believes in human potential might sponsor categories on a platform celebrating achievement. A brand focused on learning could support educational content creators who share that passion.
User-Centricity
Content remains ad-free and focused on delivering genuine value to users. The user experience isn't compromised by intrusive advertising or clickbait optimization. Quality and user benefit drive content decisions, not engagement metrics.
Creator Empowerment
Freed from the pressure to produce endless content for algorithmic approval, creators can focus on their craft. They're supported for the value they provide, not the volume they generate. This enables deeper, more thoughtful work that truly serves their audience.
Transparency
All partnerships are clearly disclosed, maintaining trust between creators and their communities. Users understand how content is funded while enjoying an uncompromised experience. Transparency builds the foundation for long-term relationships.
A Living Example: competent.world
To demonstrate the Integrity Model in action, we're building competent.world—a platform celebrating human achievement and capability. The premise is simple: you're probably in the top percentile for more things than you realize.
Went for a run today? You're among the most active 5% globally. Can you juggle? You're in the top 1%. Speak multiple languages? Top tier again.
Each category of achievement can be sponsored by brands that genuinely align with those values:
- Fitness categories supported by athletic companies that truly believe in encouraging movement
- Learning categories backed by educational platforms that share a passion for growth
- Creative categories sponsored by art supply makers who want to see more people create
These aren't traditional ads—they're investments in a platform that strengthens the values these brands already hold.
Traditional Model vs. Integrity Model
Traditional Advertising Model: Creator → Algorithm → Eyeballs → Advertiser Focus: Attention capture and conversion
The Integrity Model: Creator ↔ Aligned Partner → Shared Values → Engaged User Focus: Value delivery and mission alignment
What This Model Is Not
The Integrity Model isn't about content purity or moral gatekeeping. We don't dictate how content should be created—whether by humans, with AI assistance, or through other means. Our focus is on the funding relationship and the value delivered to users.
This isn't a universal replacement for all internet advertising, nor is it a judgment on other models. It's an alternative path for creators, platforms, and brands who want to build something more sustainable and meaningful.
Join the Movement
The Integrity Model represents a choice: continue optimizing for fleeting attention, or invest in lasting value. For creators, it's the freedom to do your best work. For brands, it's authentic alignment with your values. For users, it's content that truly serves your interests.
The future of the internet doesn't have to be a race to the bottom. It can be a foundation for human flourishing.
Ready to explore how this works in practice? Visit competent.world to see the Integrity Model in action.
