News - Watcher Point Rate Change

Description

Starting in 2013, the number of watchers given per point will be reduced by 40% while the number of points given for each watch received will be increased by 67%.  This measure reflects the shifting quality of users giving watches.  Previously, nearly all accounts were permitted to earn points and thus the overall quality of the service was low.  Over time, filters have been put in place against all forms of alternate accounts, ensuring that users giving out activity are of a higher caliber.  However, these active users have not been compensated for their actions.

This policy change will affect all users who are featured in the donation widget at the start of the new year.  Those featured now and for the duration of 2012 will receive watchers (and other services) at the current rate.  After the new year, all users with outstanding balances will receive watchers at the new rate.  Users who give watchers will receive more points after the new year.


Details

The existing rate structure for watch/fav/llamas is a legacy from the early days when this account was founded.  Initially there were no requirements to receive points, so users were given few points for legitimate activity since their accounts were indistinguishable from alternate accounts (plz, point, adopt, etc).  However, in an effort to improve the services offered over time, filters have been put in place to sharply reduce the number of fake accounts acquiring points, yet legitimate users have not been equally compensated.  This has led to a build up of donors who can not receive the amount of activity currently advertised.  To rectify this imbalance, the rate structure between donors and recipients needs to be adjusted.

At the start of the new year, the new rate will take effect immediately.  This means that any users who are featured at that time will have their remaining balance given out at a different rate going forward and users will receive points from donors at an altered rate after that moment in time.  Users featured during the transition period will effectively receive a mix of the pre- and post- new year rates.  Users who donate now and until the end of the year will receive watchers at the current rate (For donating less than 100 points: dahub.deviantart.com/journal/G…; for donating over 100 points: dahub.deviantart.com/journal/N…).  The users who have donated before the end of the year and are still featured at the new year will have their points distributed at the altered rate going forward.  Those who initially donated 100 points or more will still receive 25% more activity, but after the new year this will be a 25% increase from the new rate.  Before the new year, donors of 100 points or more receive 25% more watchers at the current rate, and then after the new year their balance is reduced at a rate such that they receive 25% more activity than those who have donated less than 100 points.

This policy will take effect at the new year for all donations made from now until the end of the year.  I will contact those users who have donated before now and who are likely to have a remaining balance during the new year to ensure they will receive the advertised rate at the time that they donated (before this policy went into effect).  Aside from the users who receive a note from me, no exceptions will be made, this affects all users equally.