A system and method for providing payments to a poster on a message board or forum. The poster can be the poster originating a thread, or a poster posting a response in a thread. Compensation means are associated with the post, and activation of said compensation means initiates a payment process leading to the payment of compensation to the poster. The compensation means may comprise a button or icon in or near the post. The payment process may include a payment screen activated by activating of the compensation means, said payment screen prompting the activator of the compensation means to designate a payment amount. The payment amount is transferred from one or more accounts of the person activating the compensation means, to an account or accounts of the poster. Payment may be through accounts maintained by the message board or forum site, or through a third party site, such as Paypal. A portion of each payment amount may be received by the message board or forum.