For many online platforms, motivating a vast number of creators to produce a steady flow of high-quality content is crucial for success. Unlike traditional publishers that rely on professional editors to manage a limited pool of creators, online platforms often use incentive plans to drive productivity. While most platforms adopt a uniform commission (UC) plan, sharing a fixed percentage of revenue with creators, some have introduced more sophisticated schemes, such as quantity-based commission (QBC) plans, which offer bonus commissions when creators meet pre-specified production quotas.

This study investigates the impact of a QBC plan on the quantity and quality of creative production using data from a leading publishing platform. Empirical findings reveal that the QBC plan successfully increased the writers’ upload quantity. Additionally, chapters published during months when writers reached bonus commission rates exhibit higher chapter-to-chapter customer retention and more positive customer reviews, indicating improved content quality. These effects were particularly pronounced among less experienced writers. The results suggest that QBC plans enhance the complementarity between production quantity and quality, as creators are incentivized to improve quality while increasing output. This research highlights the potential of well-designed incentives, like QBC, to improve creative production outcomes, providing digital platforms with a strategic advantage.