SOCIAL
r/AMA Mods Stop Running Celebrity Interviews, as Reddit’s API Pricing Protest Drags On
It’s not just Twitter that’s dealing with user backlash as a result of data access restrictions.
Reddit’s also looking to limit how its data can be used, by upping the price of its API entry points, which has sparked ongoing protests within Reddit’s user community, with many subreddit moderators maintaining strike action to oppose Reddit’s changes.
Back in April, Reddit announced that it would be increasing the price of its API access, ostensibly to ensure that it would be ‘fairly paid’ for such moving forward. But more directly, Reddit, like Twitter, is aiming to combat the rising amount of generative AI projects that are using Reddit data to fuel their large language models (LLMs).
Such systems require large caches of conversational data, and with Meta and LinkedIn having already locked down their info to a large degree, it’s Reddit and Twitter that have become the key focal points for such, which is why they’re both now trying to stop data scraping, and restrict access, that could see other businesses essentially profiting off of their platforms.
The collateral damage, however, is that many popular third-party Reddit apps, like Reddit reader ‘Apollo’, have been forced to shut down as a result, angering many users, while it’s also raised questions as to the value of the work that moderators do for the site.
If Reddit’s making millions off of API access, then why shouldn’t subreddit mods, who maintain and manage large portions of the site, also get paid?
That set the wheels in motion for the protest action, which mods initially began by switching their communities to ‘Private’, which Reddit has sought to subvert by appealing to other prominent users in each to become moderators, as an alternative to the current managers. In response to that, some mods then switched their communities to NSFW, which meant that Reddit could no longer sell ads against their content.
That’s triggered Reddit management to take more drastic action to combat the protest action, by once again threatening to remove mods who keep their communities locked, or otherwise obscured from general access, without clear reason.
But still, the protest continues. Almost a month on from the initial blackout action, over the weekend, moderators of the well-known subreddit r/AMA – or ‘Ask Me Anything’ – announced that they would no longer be running celebrity interviews in the app.
As per r/AMA (paraphrased from original post):
“Reddit executives have shown that they won’t yield to the pressure of a protest. They’ve told the media that they are actively planning to remove moderators who keep subreddits shut down and have no intentions of making changes. So, moving forward, we’re going to run IAmA like your average subreddit. We will continue moderating, removing spam, and enforcing rules. However, effective immediately, we plan to […] discontinue active solicitation of celebrities or high profile figures to do AMAs, running and maintaining a website for scheduling of AMAs, and maintaining a current up-to-date sidebar calendar of scheduled AMAs.”
The moderators of r/AMA also note that Reddit leadership ‘has all the funds they need to hire people to perform those extra tasks we formerly undertook as volunteer moderators’, and as such, they have little interest in returning, essentially, to work for the site if it continues down its current path.
That could be a big blow for Reddit’s long-term viability. Reddit’s AMA’s are arguably its most well-known original content element, with many high-profile celebrities, and even world leaders, taking part in these in-app Q and A sessions with users.
That draws in more immediate users who tune in live, and helps get Reddit more exposure through subsequent press coverage of the responses, while the content also lives on in Google search, feeding more traffic back into the site. Losing this would be a major problem for the app, which could force Reddit to enter into more active and open negotiations with its current moderation crews.
Which, as r/AMA notes, Reddit has thus far been unwilling to do.
As Reddit CEO Steve Huffman told The Verge in a particularly testy interview recently:
“We’ve had blackouts in previous times where there’s a little more room for movement. But the core of this one is the API pricing change. That’s our business decision. And we’re not undoing that business decision.”
Huffman has essentially planted his flag on this hill, and seems unwilling to even consider any discussion around the change – yet, as the protest drags on, which must be impacting Reddit usage, you would assume that he’ll have to reconsider this stance, or look to work with the user and moderator community to some degree.
The effective loss of r/AMA is another big hit on this front, and it’ll be interesting to see how many hits Reddit can take before it has to re-address the ongoing action.
It seems that this will inevitably harm Reddit’s valuation, which is a critical concern given that it’s also looking to launch an IPO at some stage.
Can Reddit regain the trust of its moderator community, and get back to a level of normal – or does this highlight the pitfalls of relying on volunteer admins when trying to run a business?
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
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