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Some subreddits could be paywalled, hints Reddit CEO (9to5mac.com)

submitted 4 months ago by ForgottenFlux@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

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Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has hinted that in future some subreddits could be paywalled, as the company seeks to devise new sources of income.

He suggested that the company might experiment with paywalled subreddits as it looks to monetize new features. “I think the existing, altruistic, free version of Reddit will continue to exist and grow and thrive just the way it has,” Huffman said. “But now we will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature.”

This is another move likely to anger Redditors. While the platform is a commercial enterprise, its value derives almost entirely from freely offered user content. That means Redditors feel at least some sense of ownership in a community endeavour, so the company needs to tread carefully when it comes to monetization at user expense.

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[–] DandomRude@lemmy.world 43 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

This is a terrible idea for a site that relies solely on user-generated content and even user-moderation. It's not like Twitter hasn't tried this before - didn't work out so well, I'd say. But hey, this concept probably works for the upper management. I guess it doesn't matter to them if all that's left is scorched earth, as long as they can cash out.

[–] postmateDumbass@lemmy.world 14 points 4 months ago

Reddit: what are users for but to extract money from?

[–] alien@lemmy.ml 7 points 4 months ago (1 children)

But they're going to split the profits with ~~content generators~~ users, right? Right?

[–] DandomRude@lemmy.world 5 points 4 months ago (1 children)

Sure, 1$ for 5.000 high quality posts - but only if it is content that you would otherwise only find in scientific journals; no AI stuff, of course.

[–] tektite@slrpnk.net 2 points 4 months ago

A whole dollar?? You'll bankrupt spez at that rate!! How ever will he catch up to Jeff and the Muskrat if he's out here giving these "users" the money he wants to keep?