Everything You Need to Know

Your most common questions, answered!

1. What is Message Auction?

Message Auction is a decentralized application (dApp) where users bid with short messages in ETH. The highest bid’s message is displayed on the main banner, and all participants earn rewards based on their shares.

2. How do I place a bid?

1. Connect your wallet by clicking “Connect Wallet.”
2. Enter your message and ETH amount (≥0.01 ETH above the current bid).
3. Click “Place Bid” and confirm in your wallet.
4. If successful, your message appears on the banner immediately.

3. Why do I need to connect a wallet?

Because this is a blockchain-based dApp, you need a wallet to send transactions (bids, withdrawals) and receive ETH rewards. It also proves ownership and secures your funds.

4. What is the minimum bid increment?

You must outbid the current highest bid by at least 0.01 ETH. The very first bid must be at least 0.01 ETH if no bid exists yet.

5. What happens if someone outbids me?

Your message will no longer be displayed on the banner. However, you keep the shares you earned, meaning you still receive a portion of future bids as rewards. You can always place a higher bid to reclaim the banner.

6. How are rewards distributed?

Each time a new bid comes in, 4% goes to the founder, and the remainder is distributed proportionally among all shareholders. Your portion depends on your share compared to the total.

7. What are “shares” and how do I get them?

Shares represent your stake in the auction. You receive them each time you place a bid, based on your bid amount and any applicable Early Bird Bonus. The more shares you have, the larger your portion of each new bid.

8. What is the Early Bird Bonus?

The first 10 unique bidders receive a multiplier on their shares. The first 5 receive 1.5x, the next 5 receive 1.25x, and thereafter, bids receive a standard 1.0x multiplier.

9. How do I know if I’m still eligible for the Early Bird Bonus?

The contract tracks how many have claimed the bonus. If fewer than 10 people have bid and you haven’t yet, you’ll automatically receive the bonus. Once 10 have claimed it, the bonus is no longer available.

10. Why do I see a “Founder fee transfer failed” error?

This indicates that the contract couldn’t transfer the 4% founder fee. It’s rare and usually due to a network or address issue. Try again or wait for the network to clear.

11. What does the founder do with the 4% fee?

The founder fee is used to support and improve the project by covering development costs and funding new features.

12. How do I withdraw my rewards?

1. Connect your wallet.
2. Click “Withdraw.”
3. Confirm the transaction in your wallet.
If you have pending rewards, they will be sent in ETH.

13. Why do I see “No shares” or “No funds to withdraw”?

“No shares” appears if you haven’t placed any bid. “No funds to withdraw” means you have shares but currently no pending rewards.

14. Do I have to pay gas fees?

Yes. Every blockchain transaction (placing bids, withdrawing rewards) requires gas fees, which depend on network congestion.

15. Why is my transaction stuck or pending?

This could be due to network congestion or low gas fees. Check your wallet or a block explorer to see if you need to speed up the transaction.

16. Where can I see the code?

The entire code is available on GitHub, and there is a direct link to the deployed contract on Etherscan.

17. Is this code audited?

The project is open-source and may not have undergone a formal third-party audit. Please review the code or consult an expert if needed.

18. Can I see all the bids that have been placed?

The dApp displays the latest bids (typically the last 10). For a complete history, check the contract’s events on a block explorer or review the repository logs.

19. Are the messages moderated?

There is no built-in moderation; users can submit any message they desire.

20. Why does my banner message disappear?

If someone outbids you, their message replaces yours. However, you retain your shares and continue to earn rewards from future bids.

21. Can I change my message without placing a new bid?

No. The only way to update your message is by placing a new, higher bid.

22. How often do I need to refresh to see updates?

The dApp automatically updates via “NewBid” events. If there is a delay, a manual refresh (F5) will display the latest data.

23. What is the Ownership Simulator?

The Ownership Simulator estimates how many shares you’d receive and what your ownership percentage might be when placing a bid, including any Early Bird Bonus.

24. How do I test this on a local or test network?

You can run a local blockchain (e.g., Hardhat, Ganache) or deploy the contract to a testnet (such as Goerli) with test ETH. Ensure your wallet is connected to the correct network.

25. Do I lose my shares if I withdraw?

No. Withdrawing only claims your accumulated rewards. Your shares remain intact until you place a new bid.

26. How can I contact the founder or get support?

Visit the “Transparency” section or use the provided links (GitHub, LinkedIn) to open an issue or contact the team directly.

27. Are there any risks?

All investments involve risks, and cryptocurrencies are especially volatile. ETH prices can vary significantly, and transaction failures or network issues may occur. Always do your own research and invest only what you can afford to lose.

28. Is there a maximum number of bids?

No. Bidding can continue indefinitely, and there is no cap on the number of bids.

29. Can I remove my message or undo a bid?

Once a transaction is confirmed on the blockchain, it cannot be undone. If you no longer want your message displayed, someone else must outbid you.

30. How do I see my total shares and pending rewards?

When your wallet is connected, the dApp displays your current shares and pending rewards in the main widget.

31. Why can't I connect my wallet?

If your browser lacks an injected provider (for example, Chrome or Safari on mobile or a PC without a wallet extension like MetaMask), you won’t be able to connect.