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This represents an opportunity: these folks should just build their own apps which distribute content to their fans. Thats kind of what apps are for - the comm

This represents an opportunity: these folks should just build their own apps which distribute content to their fans. Thats kind of what apps are for - the commoditisation of networks like Instagram and so on, is only really necessary because the technological barrier to entry is too high. All it would take is for someone to open source a decent image browsing/payment transfer application, stick it on Github with a decent license that allows for re-use of the code, and 'services' like Instagram and Facebook will die the deserved death. This is only a thing because the OS vendors are gate-keeping, and because they work hard to make it more and more difficult for people to write and distribute apps themselves...

Chilinot 7y ago
Sure, developing and publishing an app or a library to be used by other developers is the easy part. What is difficult and expensive is setting up the infrastructure for hosting all of the content generated, and api-servers for handling requests. That is the barrier that stops others from implementing something Instagram-esque.
ryanmcbride 7y ago
I feel like you're confusing advertising (what they're doing on instagram) with distribution (what you seem to think they're doing with instagram). They already distribute through other channels since Instagram doesn't allow porn, but how do they find new people to sign up for their service if not by advertising where people already are?
tendencydriven 7y ago
You'd never get an app like that onto the iOS App Store - you can't distribute NSFW content.
- arethuza 7y ago
  The app store is full of violent games, which personally I'd regard as far more NSFW than anything referring indirectly to porn.
arkh 7y ago
> payment transfer application Here is where things break long term. When Visa and Mastercard decide to not do business with you it is time to start your own payment system.
pjc50 7y ago
This is currently done using Kik, Snapchat, and something called "onlyfans" which is what Twitter would be if you could charge people to follow you.

Chilinot 7y ago

Sure, developing and publishing an app or a library to be used by other developers is the easy part. What is difficult and expensive is setting up the infrastructure for hosting all of the content generated, and api-servers for handling requests. That is the barrier that stops others from implementing something Instagram-esque.

ryanmcbride 7y ago

I feel like you're confusing advertising (what they're doing on instagram) with distribution (what you seem to think they're doing with instagram). They already distribute through other channels since Instagram doesn't allow porn, but how do they find new people to sign up for their service if not by advertising where people already are?

tendencydriven 7y ago

You'd never get an app like that onto the iOS App Store - you can't distribute NSFW content.

arethuza 7y ago
The app store is full of violent games, which personally I'd regard as far more NSFW than anything referring indirectly to porn.

arkh 7y ago

> payment transfer application Here is where things break long term. When Visa and Mastercard decide to not do business with you it is time to start your own payment system.

pjc50 7y ago

This is currently done using Kik, Snapchat, and something called "onlyfans" which is what Twitter would be if you could charge people to follow you.