Prize pools are the primary way Narrativ routes value back to users. They are designed to reward ongoing contribution, not one-time participation.Prize pools are funded by a portion of:platform revenue (including B2B licensing and other downstream revenue streams),
platform fees (including market-related fees), and
What a prize pool is#
A prize pool is a recurring reward pool funded by Narrativ's monetization layer and distributed to eligible users based on contribution and participation.Prize pools are not a one-time payout. They are designed to compound with the platform: more users → more monetizable signal → more revenue/fees → larger prize pools.
Eligibility: Minimum Data Sharing (MDS)#
Access to prize pools requires Minimum Data Sharing (MDS).MDS is the eligibility threshold that confirms a user is actively contributing permissioned data at a minimum standard.
What counts toward MDS (high level)#
MDS is determined by a combination of:| Factor | Description |
|---|
| Connected profiles | At least one approved data source |
| Active permission state | Required categories and purposes enabled |
| Verification state | Where applicable, depending on policy/jurisdiction |
| Data quality signals | Anti-spam and integrity checks |
Exact thresholds and categories may evolve as Narrativ expands sources and improves integrity protections.
Why we gate prize pools#
Prize pools are funded by platform monetization. Gating access through MDS ensures:Rewards go to contributors - users who are contributing to the permissioned data network
Incentive farming is reduced - bots and low-quality spam are filtered out
The system remains sustainable - as the platform scales, rewards stay meaningful
How rewards are determined (conceptual)#
Eligible users earn rewards through a combination of:| Component | Role |
|---|
| Points | Earned from contribution and participation |
| Tiers | Status derived from accumulated points |
| Pool weighting | How distribution is calculated for a given period |
This ensures the system rewards both:ongoing data contribution over time, and
meaningful participation that improves the ecosystem
Changing permissions and eligibility#
Eligibility is not permanent. It can change if:permissions are reduced below MDS thresholds
connected profiles are removed
verification status changes (where required)
integrity signals trigger restrictions
Changes apply going forward and are reflected in the user's eligibility state.
Related pages#
Incentives, Prize Pools, and Flywheel - why the system compounds
Consent and Permissions - how opt-in is defined and enforced
Verified Identity and Bot Resistance - how we protect prize pool integrity
Gems, Points, Tiers, and Rewards - how distribution is calculated
