AI source paymentsJune 28, 20262 min read

Why source payments need consent before automation

An owned CitePay demo source showing how a registered payee can allow AI tools to pay when citing.

Abdulkabir Quadri

CitePay Demo Publisher

AI products should separate public metadata, author consent, payout readiness, and receipts before money moves.

Owned sources can safely test the full payment path because the publisher controls the source and payout route.

This source can be unlocked when it is useful.

The agent can inspect the source terms below, then pay only if this source is used in the answer. If payout details are missing, earnings stay claimable until the owner updates them.

Live payments are only allowed when the source owner and payout route are verified.

Source terms

Payment metadata for agents.

Open JSON API →

{
  "id": "owned-demo-source",
  "sourceId": "owned-demo-source",
  "canonicalSourceUrl": "https://citepay.vercel.app/content/owned-demo-source",
  "sourceUrl": "https://citepay.vercel.app/content/owned-demo-source",
  "sourceType": "feed_item",
  "authorName": "Abdulkabir Quadri",
  "payeeName": "Abdulkabir Quadri",
  "payeeStatus": "registered",
  "ownershipStatus": "manually_verified",
  "payoutMode": "direct_wallet",
  "livePaymentEligible": true,
  "paymentEligibilityReason": "Registered payee with a verified payout route.",
  "price": 0.02,
  "currency": "USDC",
  "rail": "simulation",
  "cacheWindowDays": 30,
  "optOut": false,
  "settlementPolicy": "direct_if_registered",
  "sourceConsentStatus": "own_source",
  "paymentAllowed": true,
  "paymentBlockedReason": "",
  "demoUseCase": "owned_author_demo"
}