Here's How To Use Jar Tips To Contribute To Content Creators On Twitter

Twitter's “Tip Jar” feature allows users to send money to their favorite accounts (photo: twitter)

Jakarta- Twitter's “Tip Jar” feature allows users to send money to their favorite accounts directly. This method makes it easy for users to contribute to charities, fundraisers, or simply say thank you for helpful suggestions.

After extensive testing, the feature initially rolled out to select users in May 2021 before becoming available to all users over 18 on iOS in September. A few months later, the feature finally arrived on Android, allowing all Twitter users to send and receive money using the new feature.

While it was initially only available to a handful of content creators, journalists, and nonprofits, it has since been available to all adults on Android and iOS.

Twitter supports a number of different payment options, including Cash App, Patreon, Paypal, Bandcamp, and Venmo. On Android, users can also post tips via 'Spaces', which is a Twitter live audio feature similar to Clubhouse.

To tip someone using a tip jar, go to their profile page and tap the dollar bill icon next to the 'Follow' button. Then simply select the payment option or platform for the transaction.

This will depend on what options a particular recipient has added, and will vary from user to user. To receive money via Jar Tip, users must first set up the feature for their account.

To do so, go to the 'Profile' page and tap the 'Edit profile' button. On the next screen, scroll down and enable Jar Tips using the toggle. Finally, add payment details and save preferences to enable Jar Tips for the account.

Shortly after the release of Tip Jar, users reported that a security vulnerability leaked the addresses of people tipping via PayPal. According to reports, users who receive money via PayPal see the full address of the person who tipped them.

However, according to PayPal, names and addresses are only shown for "commercial payments for goods and services." The company advises users to select the "individual payments to friends and family" option to send tips without revealing their real names and addresses.

Tip Jar is largely in line with the online tipping economy which has been gaining momentum over the last few years. Various online platforms have rolled out similar features, such as Twitch and YouTube, or are in the process of doing so in the coming weeks and months, such as TikTok.

Instagram also launched a similar feature in November 2021, allowing users to tip Live creators by purchasing badges during live streaming events. As for Twitter, the company hopes that the feature will increase engagement on the platform, so it remains to be seen if it appeals among its user base going forward.