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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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[–] MoogleMaestro@lemmy.zip 29 points 4 months ago (5 children)

I don't even get how this would work. If you paywalled, say, /r/gaming, could you just make a new community called /r/freegaming? And do the moderators get paid for the communities they created?

It all feels really half-baked and a desperate plea for money from investors when the money well is drying up.

[–] iCy619@lemmy.world 12 points 4 months ago

Then they'll skate around that by implementing a paywall for creating new subs.

[–] glitches_brew@lemmy.world 4 points 4 months ago

My first thought was that they are trying to be a new onlyfans.

[–] MCasq_qsaCJ_234@lemmy.zip 2 points 4 months ago

Elon comes to make Reddit worse

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

There's probably something in the terms of use that prohibits that.

[–] darkkite@lemmy.ml 1 points 4 months ago

there's dozens of gaming subreddits already though. like truegaming or something else. i don't think many existing subreddits will do this. i do think nsfw creators will paywall their posts

however if reddit goes that route i hope OF sues apple/google. I don't like how some nsfw apps like reddit or x are allowed but others aren't

[–] Raxiel@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Post submitters would have to get a cut to encourage them to post OC on the pay subs and file takedowns if anyone else reposted their content elsewhere. I think it could only work for single user subs.