Live data from Hacker News

Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

techcrunch.com

51–60 of 62 posts

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#51

Throwing in my 2 cents: It looks like what Ribbon submitted to the Twitter validator was a video using the "player" card: http://cl.ly/image/2R2i1J302Z2g The player card is designed to handle embedding videos, which is what Ribbon initially showed, however when they launched their new feature they morphed the embedding options to display a custom in-stream purchase button / unit. In reality, they should have just use…

Spot on. It was a bait and switch and violation of TOS.

Chirpify has been enabling in-stream commerce and payments on Twitter for over a year now. Also in-stream on Instagram and Facebook. No TOS violations http://chirpify.com

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are plenty of porn and drug references on Twitter already. Twitter doesn't care. It's very clear that Twitter want to control every possible aspect of the monetisation of Twitter.

Given the earlier fallout with the twitter 3rd-party clients, and similar things going on on other "platforms" I think we need a new name for these services other than "platform" (since it is not stable, it's a bit of a misnomer) but more specific than "service". I propose "network traps", "progress sinks" or "sucker tub". I don't know but I keep getting a recurring imagery when thinking of these situations as of som…

[deleted]

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#53
post #4

Are you surprised? Why don't we all go back to AOL and Geocities. The problem with Twitter is that it is not clear exactly what their approach to their revenue problem might be. I understand they want to monetize their API but does that go hand-in-hand with quashing every potential competitor who happens to use the API with a modicum of success? I'm bearish about any company that builds a data warehouse on the basis…

I also would not pay for sex with my girlfriend if she would start all over sudden start charging me for sex. It seems twitter has to learn something about relationships.

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#54
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's likely because it's all wrapped up in Twitter's web interface. To the average user, it looks like you just paid Twitter for something. If you have any sort of problem with shipping or the product itself, you're likely going to go back to where you bought it from: Twitter. They're simply protecting themselves from a series of problems that would be completely out of Twitter's control to help in any way. Twitter w…

To be fair, it does say "Not affiliated with Twitter" in a blue background.

Many people wouldn't read or remember that detail.

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#55
post #4

Are you surprised? Why don't we all go back to AOL and Geocities. The problem with Twitter is that it is not clear exactly what their approach to their revenue problem might be. I understand they want to monetize their API but does that go hand-in-hand with quashing every potential competitor who happens to use the API with a modicum of success? I'm bearish about any company that builds a data warehouse on the basis…

I also would not pay for sex with my girlfriend if she would start all over sudden start charging me for sex. It seems twitter has to learn something about relationships.

You'd also be foolish to assume a hooker that charms you is your girlfriend and will have sex with you for free.

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also would not pay for sex with my girlfriend if she would start all over sudden start charging me for sex. It seems twitter has to learn something about relationships.

You'd also be foolish to assume a hooker that charms you is your girlfriend and will have sex with you for free.

Your analogy is incorrect.

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also would not pay for sex with my girlfriend if she would start all over sudden start charging me for sex. It seems twitter has to learn something about relationships.

You'd also be foolish to assume a hooker that charms you is your girlfriend and will have sex with you for free.

[deleted]

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#58
All hail our glorious leader Twitter, they know what's right. This isn't all too surprising, Twitter have definitely had their fair share of third party shutdowns and controversies, the problem here is that Twitter could care less about anyone else's business that uses their API, even if it means more Twitter users or even a potential offer for partnership and profit. This is an idea that Twitter themselves should have officially got behind, no doubt we'll see something like this from Twitter eventually.

It's a genius idea, but sadly Ribbon just wasted a lot of time and money building a product they can't use. A painful lesson, never build a business on Twitter.

Re: Twitter Just Shut Down Ribbon’s Newly Launched In-Stream Payments Feature

#60
post #4

Are you surprised? Why don't we all go back to AOL and Geocities. The problem with Twitter is that it is not clear exactly what their approach to their revenue problem might be. I understand they want to monetize their API but does that go hand-in-hand with quashing every potential competitor who happens to use the API with a modicum of success? I'm bearish about any company that builds a data warehouse on the basis…

> I'm bearish about any company that builds a data warehouse on the basis of access and open-ness and then decides to restrict that access at a later date for the sake of profitability. It's just distasteful and speaks volumes.

They have changed their terms for third party integration about 2 years ago (somebody correct me) and since then strongly discourage third parties from trying to leverage Twitter for their own profit. Anyone seriously betting on getting away despite the publicly expressed discouragement from 2 years ago is getting what is to be expected.

Post reply on HN