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WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

nytimes.com

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Re: WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

#381

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is only true if they introduce them. i.e. FB doesn't have a paid service, but obviously Youtube does. The problem is Whatsapp is a closed ecosystem so unlike email we can't just buy a provider. And I do pay for youtube. The experience is well worth it and I'm thankful I can afford it (it's not a lot but many can't).

> This is only true if they introduce them. i.e. FB doesn't have a paid service, but obviously Youtube does. FB does - “Meta Verified” for $16/month (presumably different depending on locale), but the benefits aren’t very good. (A verified badge, Increased account protection, Enhanced support, Upgraded profile features, Bonus stars and stickers)

... this thread is in the context of not seeing Ads.

You can pay FB to serve your ads too. We're not talking about those things.

Re: WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

#382
post #219

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Everyone else just uses newpipe, mpv, and so on

I value good content, or maybe it's not even that good, but it's valuable. I appreciate paying people for their time to make things that teach me new things.

Then pay for their patreon. Paying youtube just makes google money.

Re: WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

#383
post #338
post #309

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're routinely buying and throwing out $25 plates of food, then you're in a different income bracket than many people. And then, yes, avoiding a $3 app is more nonsensical than for most.

Plenty of university students around me who will order a $8 boba tea and be disappointed that the boba is cooked poorly or the milk ratio isn't good, and then do it again a couple days later. But the difference is that food elicits cravings - you buy it because you imagine how good it'll be if it's done right this time and your body pressures you to buy it. Apps don't do that.

this probably goes back to the Steam counterexample - Game apps do elicit that craving.

Re: WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

#384

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I remember when Whatsapp became a paid app, I can’t remember the details as I believe they varied by platform (iOS vs Android) but it was either €0.79 or €0.99, I’m not sure if one off or yearly payment, but it doesn’t matter. I, as the “computer guy”, had friends and family asking how to pirate it. This is coming from SMS costing €0.25 per message (text only!) and also coming from people who would gladly pay €3 for…

>> I, as the “computer guy”, had friends and family asking how to pirate it. To be fair, that was in era when pirating was such a normal thing. Everybody at least knew about it. Cheap pirated DVD's were super common (I received them as gifts even) and everyone knew someone selling them. With people accustomed to paying for Netflix, music streaming, Office 365, etc. maybe a subscription version of WhatsApp would be mo…

Hell, VHS tapes and DVDs often had brief clips shown before the movie talking about how you can get free movies by pirating.

Re: WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

#386

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Omg I literally puke with Shopify ads in podcasts. Whats the point of paid, premium service like Spotify if I keep being served those stupid, dishonest and bordeline illegally deceiving Shopify ads every 15 minutes.

Because the ad has literally nothing to do with Spotify? Podcasters can say or sell whatever.

Spotify has enough power to say that podcasters should have ad free feed for premium subscribers or get deplatfromed. Obviously I would expect Spotify to pay podcasters.

The idea of paid, premium service with ads is ridiculous.

Re: WhatsApp introduces ads in its app

#390

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> people would never pay for software. I see this and not see this. See this = friend wants to check out app but it costs $1-$3. I'm like, that's less than a coffee or a candy bar that you consume disposably. Why not just try it and if it's sucks throw it away, the same way you might with a new food item? That argument doesn't work on them for some reason. not see = Steam

Thanks to Australian customer protection laws, Steam has some of the most lenient refund policies among digital software stores. You can usually get a full refund if your play time is less than a few hours. Plus there are frequent sales. Don’t underestimate the psychological impact of making people feel “I have to buy this now or the deal will be gone.” I genuinely do not know how to get a refund from the google play…

There's no problem getting a refund for apps in my experience, I've done it a handful of times when I've changed my mind and it was easy and fully automated.
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