What's stopping people from making reddit apps that stay within the free API limits? - eviltoast

I’m not sure on the ins and outs of hosting/running a 3rd part reddit app, but since reddit is claiming these API charges are only for apps that pull in big numbers, couldn’t the app creators just make a bunch of versions of the app with a limit to how many users can access it?

I’m not sure what reddit’s threshold is for when they start charging for API usage, but do any of you see this happening? Would it be possible for the 3rd party creators to release personal instances of their apps that are technically separate entities that could stay in the free APL limit?

Again, I have no idea on how 3rd party apps are run or how they access the API. I was just curious if there was a way to keep an app under the limit.

  • a new sad me@lemmy.world
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    2 years ago

    Without looking into any information, I can guess that it is associated with API key which are registered to a specific email. Sure, you can open more email accounts and more APIs but this is becoming a hustle.

    What they could do, is release their code, and for user to register their own API and compile the app on their own. But this solution would answer only tech savi people.

      • a new sad me@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        They could, use, but this requires extra work from the user, who might just say “nah… I’ll just use the official app instead”

        • DreamySweet@exploding-heads.com
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          2 years ago

          I think the people that would seek out a third party app are mostly the kind of people that would do the extra work of copying and pasting an API key. It will definitely be a smaller userbase than before though.

    • Cheradenine@sh.itjust.works
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      2 years ago

      What they could do, is release their code, and for user to register their own API and compile the app on their own. But this solution would answer only tech savi people. >

      The developer of Infinity for Reddit (Android app) said they were going to do just that.

      • a new sad me@lemmy.world
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        2 years ago

        Ha! Cool for them!

        I guess, though, that the guys who have the skills to enjoy this are the first to switch out of reddit to begin with.

        • dreamfall@lemmy.worldOP
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          2 years ago

          I just did this from a guide on their reddit, it was super easy…hopefully it sticks!