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

submitted 3 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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[–] Tilgare@lemmy.world 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Totally. This could be reddits premium answer to a Patreon community with an exclusive Discord server.

[–] Gestrid@lemmy.ca 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

So... a Reddit community with an exclusive Discord server?

[–] Tilgare@lemmy.world 2 points 3 months ago (1 children)

I can't tell of you're just joking or not - so no, just straight up as a replacement for both, Patreon+Discord. You have a creator you like on YouTube let's say, and so you sign up for their premium subreddit to support them. You get the community on reddit as a replacement for how creators use Discord, and then if they integrated Patreon-like features such as a host for members only videos or premium podcast feeds from the creator, and giving the creator a place to upload and share members only photos or polls. Meanwhile it operates just like any other subreddit operates for community discussions. No need for multiple services integrated, if reddit offers an all in one solution.

[–] Gestrid@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Reddit is not a great replacement for Discord and its live chat features IMO.

[–] Tilgare@lemmy.world 1 points 3 months ago

Well, they would presumably develop premium subreddit features to reach parity or develop an otherwise useful feature set. As it is now, you're certainly right.