Reddit’s unpopular decision to revise its API pricing in a move that’s forcing third-party apps out of business has taken a weird turn. In an AMA hosted today by Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman, aka u/spez on the internet forum site, the exec doubled down on accusations against the developer behind the well-liked third-party […]
Except… they’re pissing off the moderators and removing their tools. Also the top submitters.
When the moderators and top submitters leave, what’s the content that will keep the bulk of the users doom scrolling? There will be a higher proportion of bot-submitted content, and a larger proportion of undesirable comments. Combined with the inline ads and dark patterns, only ignorance and inertia will hold the remaining audience.
It definitely will retain some level of an ad-watching userbase, but will it retain enough for an IPO and long-term survival? Spez & co. seem to be looking at Twitter and hoping they can do at least as well.