Refugee from Reddit

[Lenny Weinrib]

Due to the blackout at Reddit, I'll be hanging out with you guys, my old friends, for a couple of days. Please be gentle.

 

[Jenesis]

Blackout on Reddit?

 

[i am one]

Ya, It's my understanding that a lot of subs are going private to protest the fact that Reddit is killing 3rd party API app access. I assume it has to do with advertising pay or mod power. All the subs I participate in are shut down.

The blacked out subs do specifically say what they're protesting against. It's not ads or mod power. It's Reddit making third party API access fees so astronomical that it'll force those apps to end because the cost is too high for all developers. Reddit's goal here is to make people using third party Reddit apps migrate to their shit official app. More than that, Reddit has their pipe dream of launching a $15 billion IPO while at the same time telling those third party app devs that Reddit itself isn't profitable.

 

[Valcazar]

Reddit saw Elon piss off lots of people on Twitter by spiking the API fee and thought "That's FUCKING GENIUS!" and did it too.

 

[anonemouse]

Ya, It's my understanding that a lot of subs are going private to protest the fact that Reddit is killing 3rd party API app access. I assume it has to do with advertising pay or mod power.

Nope.

Some applications were developed to provide an alternative access to Reddit feeds. A lot of Mods use them because they automate processes to filter out spam or bad language (where appropriate), etc. A lot of Reddit Mods rely on them and have for years. Many don't know any other way to do their unpaid, volunteer jobs other than through the apps.

As others pointed out, Reddit absolutely JACKED the fee they charge for API access. Access to the API is required for 3rd party apps to work. One app (which is mostly free) was quoted a fee of $20 million USD per year for access. The CEO of Reddit made up some stuff about the developer behind that app which turned out not to be true. The CEO also said that the rates weren't going to chage; it's the new normal and Reddit is hell-bent on turning a profit (probably for a future IPO).

It's going to be like Twitter; they try to monetize the hell out of it and as a result a lot of people are going to abandon it. Reddit can't run without the volunteer mods and this move risks alienating most of them. I'm not sure it can survive if enough mods leave and shut down subreddits.

 

[Darts]

For those who might not be aware, Serena Williams is a member of the Reddit family.