Edelman, Benjamin. “Priced and Unpriced Online Markets.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 23, no. 3 (Summer 2009): 21-36.
With forces both supporting and opposing zero prices, typical Internet-related activities–like surfing the web, web searches, and e-mail, along with behind-the-scenes practices like domain names and the allocation of IP (Internet Protocol) addresses–present a natural context to reevaluate our sense of the tradeoffs that arise between free and a positive price. In this piece, I offer a series of specific examples of resources offered without charge, for a positive price, or for a flat fee (“all-you-can-eat”). I conclude by assessing the characteristics that shape pricing structure for these resources.