Popular third-party Reddit app Apollo shuts down due to Reddit's new API pricing
Reddit users have been left upset and disappointed as their most beloved third-party app, Apollo, announced it would be shutting down due to Reddit's newly announced API pricing plans. Christian Selig, the app's maker, revealed that the new pricing changes would cost Apollo $20 million a year, pushing the developer out of business and leaving users without their favorite app. Selig expressed his deep disappointment in Reddit for a decision that seemed to have no regard for smaller developers.
Impact on Apollo and its Users
Without much warning, Selig stated that Apollo would be closing down permanently on June 30th. The shutdown has left users of the app reeling and confused. The formerly innovative app featured customizable gestures, a media viewer, among others, allowing users to use Reddit in a way that felt fresh and new. For industry observers and Philosopher, this raises fundamental questions on the internet’s ownership. If popular platforms can dictate prices that end up pushing third-party clients out of their business, it leaves the fate of the internet in the hands of a few.
Reddit's API pricing changes
In the words of Reddit, the API pricing changes were meant to deter unethical companies from leveraging the vast amount of data that the platform provides to improve their AI systems without compensating the owners. Nevertheless, according to Selig, the pricing changes seem to have overlooked the needs of smaller entities, including students, researchers, academics, and start-ups, who use the platform’s data for their projects. While Reddit has claimed that the pricing changes were not meant to hurt third-party apps, the consequences of its actions speak loudly enough.
Community Outrage
Apollo is not the only third-party app affected by Reddit's API pricing changes. ReddPlanet developer and Infinity for Reddit are other clients that have been impacted. The onset of community backlash has prompted a site-wide protest with several top communities planning to go dark. On June 12th, several subreddits, including r/aww, r/videos, r/Futurology, r/LifeHacks, r/bestof, r/gaming, r/Music, r/Pics, r/todayilearned, r/art, r/DIY, r/gadgets, r/sports, r/mildlyinteresting, and many others, are participating in the event to make their voices heard. Some questioned the rationale behind Reddit's pricing strategy, noting that it seemed like the company was hurting smaller entities in the process.
Advice for Third-Party App Developers
What's next for third-party Reddit app developers? The aftermath of Reddit's API pricing changes could spell disaster for many developers who are in the process of expanding their client base. It's essential for them to diversify their revenue streams and maybe work with other platforms that offer similar audiences. Moreover, developers could create additional value around their clients beyond Reddit's data alone. This way, they can differentiate their product offering and not fall victim to sudden price hikes from platforms that have access to vast amounts of data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Reddit's API pricing changes serve as a wake-up call to third-party app developers. The move calls for regulatory oversight of platforms like Reddit and Twitter that benefit from vast amounts of data generated by third-party developers. The actions of Reddit have effectively removed a long-standing pillar of the internet while leaving the fate of the online community's third-party developers in doubt. What we need now is for partnerships to evolve between platforms and third-party developers, allowing them to create value and promote growth in a more supportive environment.
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