undefined | Better HN

0 points_yb2s2y ago0 comments

Do you guys really expect a for profit company to offer free API access to 3rd parties, that offer a better experience with no ads, bypassing their revenue stream, and making their own site and apps look terrible in comparison?

I've always been shocked Reddit allowed this at all. No other major player that owns a platform- FB, instagram, Google, etc. offers this either.

I don't like it either but it makes perfect sense. You could even make the argument that not doing this would mean Reddit employees aren't doing their jobs, and aren't looking out for the company.

0 comments

jkubicek2y ago

> Do you guys really expect a for profit company to offer free API access to 3rd parties, that offer a better experience with no ads, bypassing their revenue stream, and making their own site and apps look terrible in comparison?

I certainly don't expect this, and if you read the linked article, Christian didn't either. His primary issue was that he was only given 30 days to find a solution, which wasn't a reasonable timeline. His secondary issue was the pricing of the API access. Having a paid API in the first place didn't make his list of concerns.

WeylandYutani2y ago

Reddit is within their rights to make whatever commercial decision they want- concerns of anyone else be damned.

rcxdude2y ago

And everyone else is well within their rights to call their decision what they want. So what exactly is the point of stating this?

guax2y ago

What's your point here? No one is saying reddit is not allowed to make this decision, people are arguing that it was a stupid decision. Its absolutely a company right to shit on their bed and hurt their customers, just as much as it is for said consumers to respond and criticise.

arthur-st2y ago

Indeed, they are within their rights to make decisions, including questionable[1] ones. Which is what the conversation is about – not if they can be doing this, but if they should be doing this.

[1] https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5yq7q/judge-affirms-jack-do...

graypegg2y ago

That applies to consumers as well. Killing off a product that added value for people is going to make them upset. Are we supposed to be praising Reddit in your view?

Jackim2y ago

The developers aren't asking for a free API, just one that is justified based on reddit's costs.

jdminhbg2y ago

The problem is people think of this in terms of "cost to keep the server on that serves an API request" and not the opportunity cost for ad engagement that actually makes the business viable.

Jackim2y ago

Sure, but there's also the value that the users create using these apps, and drive engagement to reddit. Not to mention the insane amount of volunteer mod work, many of who use unofficial apps.

1 more reply

_yb2sOP2y ago

Also the opportunity cost of optics… why is the overall user experience so much better with these apps?

rpmw2y ago

Frankly I'm surprised they didn't nip this in the bud years ago. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 points_yb2s2y ago0 comments

I've always been shocked Reddit allowed this at all. No other major player that owns a platform- FB, instagram, Google, etc. offers this either.

I don't like it either but it makes perfect sense. You could even make the argument that not doing this would mean Reddit employees aren't doing their jobs, and aren't looking out for the company.

0 comments

jkubicek2y ago

WeylandYutani2y ago

Reddit is within their rights to make whatever commercial decision they want- concerns of anyone else be damned.

rcxdude2y ago

And everyone else is well within their rights to call their decision what they want. So what exactly is the point of stating this?

guax2y ago

arthur-st2y ago

Indeed, they are within their rights to make decisions, including questionable[1] ones. Which is what the conversation is about – not if they can be doing this, but if they should be doing this.

[1] https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5yq7q/judge-affirms-jack-do...

graypegg2y ago

That applies to consumers as well. Killing off a product that added value for people is going to make them upset. Are we supposed to be praising Reddit in your view?

Jackim2y ago

The developers aren't asking for a free API, just one that is justified based on reddit's costs.

jdminhbg2y ago

The problem is people think of this in terms of "cost to keep the server on that serves an API request" and not the opportunity cost for ad engagement that actually makes the business viable.

Jackim2y ago

Sure, but there's also the value that the users create using these apps, and drive engagement to reddit. Not to mention the insane amount of volunteer mod work, many of who use unofficial apps.

1 more reply

_yb2sOP2y ago

Also the opportunity cost of optics… why is the overall user experience so much better with these apps?

rpmw2y ago

Frankly I'm surprised they didn't nip this in the bud years ago. Hindsight is 20/20, I guess.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse