FAQ

Tipalink helps individuals and businesses earn more money online.

We offer another online revenue model: a way to accept tips on your web pages.

Receive tips on the address, or "link", of any web page that contains your Tipalink Profile ID, including your Tipalink profile.

Install the Tip Plugin on your website. Use the Tipalink API in your web app. Download the Tipalink Chrome web browser extension to tip any other web page.

  Your Profile

Tips can be made directly on Tipalink profile pages, which are created for all users who activate a profile.

Profile ID's

When you make a tip, Tipalink scans the web page for a unique Profile ID:

UP-XXXX1234-1

Profile ID's are assigned to users who have created a Profile. Users add their Profile ID to their website and other web pages so Tipalink knows who should receive their tips.

You can receive tips on any web page that contains your Tipalink Profile ID, including your Tipalink Profile page.

Step 1: Activate a Profile

First, create an account and then activate a Profile. You will be assigned a unique Tipalink Profile ID and a profile page will be created for you on Tipalink.com.

Share your Tipalink profile page like you would any social media profile and let people know that they can tip you on it.

Step 2: Install the Tip Plugin on Your Website

Install the Tip Plugin on your websites to make it easier for your supporters to tip your web pages without having to leave your website. This is the preferred method for accepting tips.

The Tip Plugin can be installed by adding just ONE line of code to a website: the Tipalink Script.

Add additional Tip Buttons to activate and open the Tip Plugin on the web page being viewed.

Add Tip Buttons on Your Website

Add Tip Buttons to pages on your websites where the Tip Plugin has been installed. Any HTML element on a web page can be configured to be a Tip Button by adding the Class Name "tipalink-tip" to it.

Step 3: Add Your Profile ID to Your Content on Other Websites

Add your Tipalink Profile ID to web pages with your content to verify links to your web pages and receive tips on them.

Create Tip Links to the Tip Form

Create and share Tip Links, which are hyperlinks that direct people to the Tip Form on the bottom of the Tipalink home page.

Add a query paramater named "link" and set it to a url-encoded value:

<a href="https://www.tipalink.com/?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com%2Fweb-page">Leave Tip</a>

Generate a Link code snippet »

When a visitor follows the hyperlink to our home page, their screen will automatically scroll down to the Tip Form and the "Web Page Address" field will be pre-populated with the URL.

Or, add the query parameter "this" and the address will be set automatically to the URL of the page from which they just came (i.e. the referer)^*.

Tip Payments

Tips are transferred directly to your payment account when a payment is made. You will receive an email with details of the paid tips, including tip amounts for each link. You can view all the past tips you've received in your account under "My Earnings".

^* - this feature does not work with websites that strip the referer

There are four ways to give tips: (1) by tipping a Tipalink Profile; (2) by using the Tip Plugin; (3) by following a Tip Link; or (3) by completing the Tip Form. Tips are saved for each user and can be paid whenever you are ready.

Tipalink Profiles

Tipalink profiles have a tip form below the profile image.

All users who activate a profile are given a Tipalink profile page with a web page address that corresponds to their Profile ID. If a you know someone's Profile ID, then you can navigate to their profile by typing "https://www.tipalink.com/[Profile ID]" in the address bar of your web browser (e.g. https://www.tipalink.com/UP-XXXX1234-1).

Tip Plugin

Use the Tip Plugin on websites where it has been installed. This lets you tip web pages on your website without leaving it^*.

Chrome Browser Extension

If a website does not have the Tip Plugin installed, then you can use the Tipalink Chrome web browser extension to activate the Tip Plugin on any web page.

Tip Links

Tip Links are special urls that direct people to the Tip Form on the bottom of the home page of Tipalink.com with the form fields automatically pre-populated. When a visitor follows it, their screen will scroll directly to the completed form.

Tip Form

The Tip Form on the home page of Tipalink.com can be completed manually.

Pay Your Tips

Your tips are saved and can be paid whenever you are ready. Tips payments are transferred directly to the beneficiary.

•   your tips are saved during each session
•   log in to save them to your account
•   pay your tips when you're ready
•   tip payments go directly to the beneficiary^**

^* - if the web page is not secure (HTTPS), then the Tip Plugin will open in a new browser tab

^** - payments must total a minimum of $1.00

Tips do not have to be paid immediately. They are saved temporarily for each user's session and they're saved to a user's account permanently when logged in.

When a payment is made, it is transferred directly to the payment account of the owner of the Profile whose tips are being paid.

Combining Tips Helps Reduce Costs

Combining tips help reduce the cost to beneficiaries. Payment processing fees include fixed minimums. By combining multiple tips into one single transaction, the cost of payment processing fees as a percentage of the total transaction drops^*.

Tippers Pay When They're Ready

Payments can be made at the tipper's convenience - either immediately or at a later date. Pending tips are saved to the tipper's account when they are logged in. A history of tip payments made and tip earnings received are saved to accounts, as well.

^* - for the same reason, there is a minimum amount that must be reached before a payment can be made

You can tip any web page by it's "link" (URL). However, tips on links to web pages that do not contain a Tipalink Profile ID can not be paid. A notice indicating such will be displayed next to any such pending tips.

If you would like to tip a link that does not contain a Tipalink Profile ID, then it is suggested that you contact the owner of the web page and tell them about Tipalink.

Profile ID's Verify Ownership

Users are assigned a unique Tipalink Profile ID when they activate a Profile. Your Profile ID must be added to any web page for which you would like to receive a tip. This provides a mechanism for users to claim their content online and for Tipalink to verify such claims.

Once a Profile ID is added to a web page, the address or "link" to the web page can be registered to a Profile.

Public vs. Private Links

Because Tipalink needs to access the web page in order to verify it, links must be available to the public Internet.

This means that any web page hidden behind authentication or a paywall cannot be registered by a user.

Link Registration and Management

Links to web pages that contain a Profile ID are automatically registered to a Profile when the first tip is made. Profile owners can also pre-register Links through their Tipalink account under "My Links". Registered Links can be managed by Profile owners, which includes setting a page title, description, and minimum and maximum values for receiving tips.

There are multiple ways to add your unique Tipalink Profile ID to your website and web pages in order to verify and receive tips on your links.^*

Include in Page Content

Simply include your unique Profile ID in the page content of any web page under your control.

UP-XXXX1234-1

This option is easiset and most useful for those who can edit the content of a web page, but may not have access to edit the source code, such as third-party publishers and blogging platforms.

Add the Tipalink Script

Add the Tipalink Script with your unique Profile ID to your website and web pages.

<script src="https://api.tipalink.com/tip.min.js" async data-tipalink-profile-id="UP-XXXX1234-1" ></script>

Get your Tipalink Script code snippet »

Include in Meta Data

Add your unique Profile ID to either the Page Title, Meta Description, or Meta Keywords.

<title>Page Title | Website Tagline | UP-XXXX1234-1</title>

<meta name="description" content="This is a short description of this web page. UP-XXXX1234-1" />

<meta name="keywords" content="keyword1, keyword2, keyword3, UP-XXXX1234-1" />

These fields are used by search engines to display results. Often they are configurable for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) purposes in website administration portals and page editors of popular website-builders and blogging platforms.

Add the Tipalink Meta Tag

Add the following meta tag with the your unique Profile ID to your website and web pages:

<meta name="tipalink-id" content="UP-XXXX1234-1" />

Get your Tipalink Meta Tag code snippet »

This meta tag should be added to the <head></head> of the source code of the website or web page.

This option is for those who have access to the source code of their own website(s).

^* - the list of different ways to add your Profile ID is ordered by increasing priority; those farther down trump those listed higher up

Install the Tip Plugin by adding the following script (Tipalink Script) with your Profile ID to a website:

<script src="https://api.tipalink.com/tip.min.js" async data-tipalink-profile-id="UP-XXXX1234-1"></script>

Get your Tipalink Script code snippet »

This script should be placed in the <head></head> of the source code of the website or web page.

WordPress Websites

If you have a WordPress website, you can simply install the Tipalink WordPress Plugin.

Opening the Tip Plugin

Once the Tip Plugin is installed, it can be opened over the web page by clicking on a Tip Button. By default, a single small button with the Tipalink logo will be added to the bottom right-hand corner of all web pages on which the script has been added.

Setting the Default Tip Amount

Add the HTML attribute data-tipalink-amount="1.00" to the script tag with a value equal to a number to set a default tip amount for all Tip Buttons on the page. Users can modify the tip amount after clicking the button. If this attribute is not present or its value is left empty, then the default tip amount as configured in your Profile settings will be applied.

Disable Global Button

By default, a small Tip Button is added to the bottom right-hand corner of web pages on which the script is has been added. To hide this global button, add the HTML attribute data-tipalink-hide-toggle="true" to the script tag.

Tip Buttons let your supporters tip you without having to leave your website(s). When clicked, they open the Tip Plugin. Tips are automatically saved to each user session.

Global Button

By default, a small button with the Tipalink logo will be added to the bottom right-hand corner of web pages on which the script has been added. You can modify the position and visibility of this button by adding a CSS rule with the selector .tipalink-logo.tipalink-tip.

For example:

.tipalink-logo.tipalink-tip { right: 10px; bottom: 50px; }  /* move global button up */

.tipalink-logo.tipalink-tip { display: none; }  /* hide global button */

Add a CSS rule with the selector ".tipalink-logo.tipalink-tip" to modify the global button styling.

Custom Buttons

Any HTML element on a web page can be configured to be a Tip Button by adding the Class Name or the ID value of "tipalink-tip" to it.

For example:

<img src="https://www.domain.com/tip-image.jpg" class="tipalink-tip" title="Leave Tip" />

Add the class name "tipalink-tip" to *any* HTML element.

You may also transform any HTML anchor tag to a Tip Button by appending "add-tipalink-tip=true" to the query string of the web address supplied for the `href` HTML attribute value.

For example:

<a href="https://www.domain.com/web-page?add-tipalink-tip=true">Leave Tip</a>

Generate a Anchor Tag Button code snippet »

Add the query string "add-tipalink-tip=true" to any HTML anchor element.

Button Default Tip Amount

Add the HTML attribute "data-tipalink-amount" to the element with a value equal to a number to set a default tip amount. This amount will override any default amount that may be set in the Script tag and the default amount configured in your Profile settings. Users can modify the tip amount after clicking the button.

<button class="tipalink-tip" data-tipalink-amount="5.00" />Leave a Tip</button>

Add the attribute "data-tipalink-amount" to any HTML element.

Standard Links

You may create standard hyperlinks on your web pages that point to https://www.tipalink.com/.

Add a query paramater named "link" and set its value to the URL of the web page address:

<a href="https://www.tipalink.com/?link=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.domain.com%2Fweb-page">Leave Tip</a>

Generate a Link code snippet »

When a user follows the hyperlink, the Tip Form on the home page will be pre-populated with the web page address.

The Tip Plugin lets supporters tip web pages without having to leave your website^*.

the Tip Plugin works on any device

It's a website application loaded in a embedded HTML iframe on all web pages that include the Tipalink Script.

The Tip Plugin is opened by clicking on Tip Buttons. It's displayed as an overlay with the web page shadowed and partially visible in the background. It can be closed by clicking anywhere off the main body of the app (i.e. on the shadow) or on the white "X" displayed in the upper-right-hand corner.

The Tip Plugin works in all major modern browsers and devices, including mobile phone browsers.

Chrome Browser Extension

If a website does not have the Tip Plugin installed, then you can use the Tipalink Chrome web browser extension to open the Tip Plugin on any web page.

^* - if the web page is not secure (HTTPS) the Tip Plugin will open in a new browser tab

Tipalink can be used by anyone to send and receive tips on web pages!

Monetize Online

Tipalink is for anyone who would like to accept tips online, including:

•   Content Creators
•   Service Workers
•   Artists
•   Influencers
•   Bloggers
•   Newspapers
•   Small Businesses
•   Charities & Nonprofits
• ...and more!

Even if you don't have a website or post content online, you can also receive tips on your Tipalink profile page.

Support Others

Tipalink is for anyone who wishes to help support individuals and businesses online by tipping:

•   people
•   articles
•   artwork
•   news
•   podcasts
•   videos
•   projects
•   events
•   designs
•   software
•   profiles
• ...and more!

Tipalink takes security and privacy very seriously!

Secure

All services are provided using the secure HTTPS protocol (https://), which encrypts all data transmissions and protects against eavesdropping, content injection, and cookie stealing.

Private

Tipalink does NOT share personal information without your consent. See the Privacy Policy for more information.

Safe

The Tipalink Script is safe to install on any website: https://api.tipalink.com/tip.min.js. It loads the Tip Plugin in an embedded HTML iframe overlay that is completely seperate from your website and thus all comminications are managed using CORS (Cross Origin Resource Sharing) standard browser security features.

Payment Processing

All payments are processed through secure third-party payment processing services and transferred directly to users.

Tipalink does NOT store credit card numbers and does NOT receive payments on behalf of its users.

Users Choose

•   users don't have to leave the web page to leave a tip
•   users decide what content to tip, how much, and when to pay
•   users can tip an individual person or organization by tipping the link to the web page of their profile or home page
•   users can tip a project or campaign by tipping the link to a web page describing it
•   users can tip specific creations of writing or artwork by tipping the link to an article or image
•   users can tip as little as $0.10 per link
•   users can tip and make payments as often as they wish

NO Subscription Required

No monthly subscription is required for tippers. Tippers can pay when they want and as often as they want.

NO Software Required

A browser extension or new browser is not required to give tips (an optional browser extension is available for download - see "How do I give a tip?").

Anyone can give tips on web pages using the Tip Form on the home page of Tipalink.com.

The Tip Plugin is optional, but highly encouraged to add Tip Buttons to your website and web pages.

Real Money

You GET PAID real money, not tokens. Turn those social media likes into tips!

One Website

Use Tipalink without having to download a new browser, browser extension, or native phone app. Tipalink.com is mobile-friendly and works on both desktop and mobile browsers.

Sign-Up Optional

It is not necessary to create an account to give tips. Although, doing so allows you to save your tips to pay at any later date, manage your account activity, and tip faster. If you don't sign in, your could lose track of your tips if you clear your browser cache or wait too long between sessions.

An account and a Profile is required to receive tips.

It's free to create an account and activate a Profile to start receiving tips.

Tippers pay no fees and all tips go directly to Profile owner.

See Pricing to learn more.