INTERNET MONEY FUNNEL

The money funnel describes how attention becomes revenue.

Traffic enters as possibility. It is broad, loosely defined, and interchangeable. At this stage, attention has not yet been assigned value. It is measured in volume, not intent.

As attention moves inward, the system begins attaching conditions. Messaging becomes specific. Options narrow. Retargeting reinforces exposure. Personalization replaces exploration. The funnel does not ask what the user wants; it tests how much friction the user will tolerate.

The middle of the funnel is where trust is simulated. Testimonials, comparisons, and interactive elements are used to reduce uncertainty. These signals are not neutral. They are positioned to confirm the direction the system has already chosen.

At the bottom of the funnel, money appears. A purchase, subscription, or lead is recorded. This moment is described as conversion, but it is better understood as capture. The value did not emerge at this point; it was shaped upstream.

Optimization focuses on leakage. Points where attention escapes are measured and corrected. Interfaces change. Timing shifts. Language tightens. The funnel learns which paths produce revenue and suppresses the rest.

From a laundering perspective, money does not reward engagement.

It certifies that attention has passed through the system successfully.