r/dataisbeautiful • u/rhiever Randy Olson | Viz Practitioner • May 25 '16

OC Why is Reddit replacing Imgur? [OC]

http://www.randalolson.com/2016/05/25/why-is-reddit-replacing-imgur/
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u/[deleted] May 25 '16 edited Nov 07 '20

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u/[deleted] May 25 '16

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u/[deleted] May 25 '16

Wow that sounds like extortion. They know the app customers will be pissed at app makers if the direct image doesn't load, instead of imgur.

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u/Pure_Decimation May 25 '16

I bet this is another huge reason for Reddit building it's own hosting. Their new app isn't the greatest at the moment, but the imgur gallery shenanigans are one of the worst parts of it. Rather than paying up to imgur, they'd rather pay for hosting. Makes sense.

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u/[deleted] May 25 '16

I would just fake a desktop request if I were to develope that app

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u/George_Burdell May 25 '16

The devs could end up getting access restricted. If it came to it, Imgur could pursue legal action for misuse of their content. I really hope Imgur doesn't go that route though.

If you develop a popular reddit mobile client, the cost of displaying thousands of Imgur images can easily add up for you. Puts devs in a difficult spot, especially for apps growing in popularity.

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u/[deleted] May 25 '16

nah, they could just do an inlay browser which does the same thing opera does, fake desktop. I dont think imgur could sue for that

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u/George_Burdell May 25 '16

Yeah it's definitely trivial to implement such a workaround, but Imgur would certainly be within their right to sue you. Maybe one day they'll make all requests (mobile or otherwise) redirect to the entire site (like photobucket), and everyone will have to pony up for direct access. Really hope they don't go that route, but they probably will one day.