Since this is a thing with VC-lead platforms, how could this be done different, while 'almost' maximising revenue? Something that pays for cost + healthy extra

Since this is a thing with VC-lead platforms, how could this be done different, while 'almost' maximising revenue? Something that pays for cost + healthy extra margin. What is a path for something like Reddit, supporting 3rd party apps, obviously showing ads in whatever feed gets served, but also being able change where and how ads are shown, or change monetisation strategy? I see a lot of handwavey and simplistic remarks, but how exactly, then? Would a user subscription work? How much would you pay for an ad-free reddit per month? Probably can't be less than $20. Would it be viable? If not, how are these platforms ever going to exist? Or is it never going to work and do we have to go back to crappy forums and discords and check 15 separate places? (RSS? never heard of her) replace Reddit with whatever comes next that shows your favourite niche content you can't find elsewhere, all in one place.