I keep thinking this would have been a much better sell to devs and to users. I have always used Sync, and Boost. I tried the official app a few times, but really only used it for the chat feature. I didn’t want to pay for it, but (I am embarrassed to admit it) I would pay premium to keep my app. I think this would have worked out better for Reddit than the garbage they are pulling right now.

Would that have been a more reasonable solution in your opinion as well?

  • Vlyn
    2·
    1 year ago

    Originally I would have. Like if they made it something reasonable, $1/month for the API access for example. And the app developer could make it a $2-3 a month subscription so they also get funding on top.

    The way Reddit has acted though they burned all bridges. I nuked my 11 year old account and overwrote all my comments and posts for that time.

    It absolutely makes sense why Reddit is doing this, but it will only get worse from there. This is not about ad-revenue (or it’s only a small part of it). Reddit wants to get rid of third party apps for several reasons:

    • User data, they can’t track you as well and sell your data if you don’t use their native apps
    • NFTs: Third party apps are similar to old.reddit.com, there are no avatars, limited awards, new Reddit features are often ignored. Can’t sell shit in your shop if your users can’t see it
    • Advertisement: Of course they could have pushed ads over the API, but at this point it’s not enough for them
    • Censorship: The API is also used for archiving posts, keeping a history of posts and comments and so on. Reddit wants full control over their content

    Reddit is already making the mobile browser version of their site unusable (It keeps forcing you to the app, doesn’t show some content, doesn’t show NSFW and they even made a beta version for a few users that breaks the entire site). They want you on their app. old.reddit.com is next to go, I bet on it, it will take a while but it’s 100% at this point.

    The whole site is fucked :-/