Christian Selig, the iOS developer known for his work on the hugely popular third-party Reddit client Apollo, is moving up to a different level. He will remain as an advisor at Digg. This announcement comes on the heels of a united uprising against Reddit’s sky-high API pricing scheme. Thousands of free applications, including Apollo, can no longer continue to exist with these shocking new expenses.
As Selig explained in a recent Reddit AMA, Apollo will require at least $1.7 million per month to be viable and sustainable. This requirement arises due to the exorbitant new pricing model Reddit has put in place. The severe uptick in expenses has drastically impacted many developers’ charged or motivated by value. It has been the catalyst to an unprecedented total blowback from the user and developer community. Selig would go on to be an indispensable actor in this backlash. He fought heavily to represent the interests of indie developers affected by these shifts.
In making this appointment Digi International’s CEO, Justin Mezzell, said that Selig’s focus on innovation and improving customer experience was part of the start-up’s culture. Earlier this year, Kevin Rose and Alexis Ohanian acquired the ashes of Digg. Their hope is to catapult the site back into the spotlight and attract a fresh audience in the process. Mezzell expressed enthusiasm for Selig’s involvement, noting the potential impact he could have on the platform’s direction.
“I simply won’t comment on that. We’re charting our own course here at Digg,” – Justin Mezzell
Selig’s experience with Apollo, where he offered enhanced browsing capabilities for Reddit users, aligns with Digg’s aim to create a more engaging user experience. The integration of Selig into the Digg team may offer fresh perspectives and ideas that could help navigate the challenges faced in the competitive social media landscape.
Interestingly enough, to deepen their relationship with those early-users, Digg started an early-access program that they’re calling “Groundbreakers,” which costs a one-time fee of $5. This program is one of many in the tech platform’s strategy to restore its community image and re-invigorate collaboration and innovation.
Reddit’s new API pricing – beyond the immediate impact on 3rd party apps. It has put incredible pressure on developers to rethink their models. With Selig now part of the Digg team, there is optimism regarding the platform’s ability to adapt and potentially thrive amidst these changes.