SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONETIZING ON-LINE USER-GENERATED CONTENT

1 . A method for generating revenue on the internet by an internet content provider, the method comprising the steps of:

a. publishing content on a web page accessible via a web browser;

b. providing on said web page a first area for at least one user-generated default-format comment;

c. providing on said web page a second area for an advertisement;

d. providing on said web page a third area for at least one fee-paid comment;

e. displaying on said web page in said first area at least one of said user-generated default-format comment;

f. displaying on said web page in said second area at least one advertisement;

g. displaying on said web page in said third area at least one fee-paid comment; and

h. wherein readers of said content can read said default-format comment, said advertisement, and said fee-paid comment on the same web page.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said fee-paid comment is displayed on said web page for a maximum time for a fee received by said internet content provider or a third party associated with said internet content provider.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said web page displays a news feed.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein said at least one fee-paid comment is in a distinctive position on said web page, being set apart from said at least one free default-format comment.

5 . A method for generating revenue on the internet by an internet content provider, the method comprising the steps of:

a. publishing opinion, information, or news stories on a web page accessible for viewing on a mobile device;

b. providing on said web page a portion for containing the expression of user-generated content in a chronological or reverse-chronological order;

c. providing a first area of said portion for displaying a first expression of user-generated content, said first expression containing thoughts or opinion which is displayed for free, and a second area of said portion for displaying a second expression of user-generated content, said second expression containing thoughts or opinion for which a fee was paid, said second area being rendered distinctive relative to said first area;

d. displaying a first expression of user-generated content in said first area;

e. displaying a second expression of user-generated content in said second area after receiving a fee; and

f. wherein a reader of said web page can read said first expression and said second expression on said web page.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said second area is rendered distinctive relative to said first area by being out of chronological or reverse-chronological order.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said second area is rendered distinctive relative to said first area by one of a distinctive background, background color, border, border colors, text, text color, text font, text font size, and combinations thereof.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said first or second expression includes one of text, an image, a URL link or advertising.

9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein said second expression in said second area is displayed on said web page for a maximum time for a fee received by said internet content provider or a third party associated with said internet content provider.

10 . The method of claim 5 , wherein a user is prompted by an on screen prompt to pay a fee to modify said user's user generated content to be rendered distinctive.

11 . A computer-implemented system for monetizing internet content, the system comprising the steps of:

a. an internet content provider publishing opinion, information, or news stories on a web page accessible for viewing on a mobile device;

b. computer executable instructions for performing the steps comprising:

a. providing on said web page a portion for containing the expression of user-generated content in a chronological or reverse-chronological order;

b. providing a first area of said portion for displaying a first expression of user-generated content, said first expression containing thoughts or opinion which is displayed for free, and a second area of said portion for displaying a second expression of user-generated content, said second expression containing thoughts or opinion for which a fee was paid, said second area being rendered distinctive relative to said first area;

c. displaying a first expression of user-generated content in said first area;

d. displaying a second expression of user-generated content in said second area after receiving a fee; and

e. wherein a reader of said web page can read said first expression and said second expression on said web page;

c. a processor for executing said computer executable instructions; and

d. memory for storing at least said computer executable instructions.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said second area is rendered distinctive relative to said first area by being out of chronological or reverse-chronological order.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said second area is rendered distinctive relative to said first area by one of a distinctive background, background color, border, border colors, text, text color, text font, text font size, and combinations thereof.

14 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said first or second expression includes one of text, an image, a URL link or advertising.

15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said second expression in said second area is displayed on said web page for a maximum time for a fee received by said internet content provider or a third party associated with said internet content provider.

16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein a user is prompted by an on screen prompt to pay a fee to modify said user's user generated content to be rendered distinctive.

17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein said second expression in said second area does not include an indication of a time of first displaying.