Reddit has announced that businesses would now be required to pay a fee to have access to its API.
The move stems from Reddit’s desire to monetize its huge library of user-generated material, as opposed to its earlier supply of a relatively open API to developers. The API enables them to create tools for managing subreddits as well as clients for accessing Reddit.
Reddit’s expanded data API conditions require any individual or business that plans to edit user-generated material for commercial purposes to enter into a separate agreement with the firm. Developers that create applications and bots that help people utilize Reddit, as well as academic or non-commercial researchers, can continue use the API for free. Meanwhile, according to Reddit’s CEO and co-founder, Steve Huffman, firms who need data from Reddit but do not give any advantage to users must pay for access.
Although Reddit has not revealed specifics on how API modifications may effect third-party clients such as Apollo, Rif, and Relay, the company has said under the Data API terms that it has the authority to limit API calls. It also did not specify how much it will charge for commercial access to its data, but stated that the pricing limitations are determined by the amount of API usage and compliance with Reddit’s conditions.
The sources for this piece include an article in TechCrunch.
