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I have seen Ello popping up multiple times on HN. Ok, this is an ad-free social network with a manifesto and you are not the product. This is fine and dandy. Bu

by seren 12y ago

I have seen Ello popping up multiple times on HN. Ok, this is an ad-free social network with a manifesto and you are not the product. This is fine and dandy. But at the end of the day, you need some source of income. Does anyone know what is their business model ?

arlenmark0987 12y ago
I too need to know this
- FreezerburnV 12y ago
  On their "Why no ads?" blog post/web page they mention at the bottom that they will sell "special features" to users while keeping most things free. https://ello.co/wtf/post/why-no-ads https://ello.co/wtf/post/why-no-ads
  - seren 12y ago
    So basically hats ?
    - fibbery 12y ago
      If it was hats I'd actually sign up. As it is, I feel a little too jaded to trust the latest version of "don't be evil".
      - arlenmark0987 12y ago
        Thanks for the info guys
chippy 12y ago
I think that's what Aral was saying - it's VC backed and that therefore their business model is that "you actually will be the product", and that "there will be ads". The manifesto will be compromised - it's inevitable, because it requires a business model because the VCs require it. It's predicted to happen in the future, not now when the manifesto is all about recruiting users. It would happen when the network grows large enough and when people invest their personal lives into the platform, and cannot leave without some kind of mental pain. This is the core point of Aral's blog post.
tim333 12y ago
>Does anyone know what is their business model ? ' Berger told the Guardian that the plan was to roll out a system where users pay to add features – including, he said, privacy features – at some point in the future. “Privacy comes at a cost,” he said, “and some of our enhanced privacy features will come with fees.” '
- dsuth 12y ago
  > “Privacy comes at a cost,” Uhh, no it doesn't. Not in today's world of backlash against Facebook, iCloud leaks, and NSA spying. Privacy is now paramount, and must be built into the bedrock of any system to be trusted by the public. The masses are not quick to move, but I'm pretty sure they understand the need for privacy and security, now that some of their favourite celebs have been so thoroughly violated on the web. That's actually quite an offensive, bald-faced comment that they fully intend to ransom your personal info unless you pay.
  - tinco 12y ago
    You do realize they are providing a service that hosts and serves that personal info for their users right?

by seren 12y ago

arlenmark0987 12y ago

I too need to know this

FreezerburnV 12y ago
On their "Why no ads?" blog post/web page they mention at the bottom that they will sell "special features" to users while keeping most things free. https://ello.co/wtf/post/why-no-ads https://ello.co/wtf/post/why-no-ads
- seren 12y ago
  So basically hats ?
  - fibbery 12y ago
    If it was hats I'd actually sign up. As it is, I feel a little too jaded to trust the latest version of "don't be evil".
    - arlenmark0987 12y ago
      Thanks for the info guys

chippy 12y ago

I think that's what Aral was saying - it's VC backed and that therefore their business model is that "you actually will be the product", and that "there will be ads". The manifesto will be compromised - it's inevitable, because it requires a business model because the VCs require it. It's predicted to happen in the future, not now when the manifesto is all about recruiting users. It would happen when the network grows large enough and when people invest their personal lives into the platform, and cannot leave without some kind of mental pain. This is the core point of Aral's blog post.

tim333 12y ago

>Does anyone know what is their business model ? ' Berger told the Guardian that the plan was to roll out a system where users pay to add features – including, he said, privacy features – at some point in the future. “Privacy comes at a cost,” he said, “and some of our enhanced privacy features will come with fees.” '

dsuth 12y ago
> “Privacy comes at a cost,” Uhh, no it doesn't. Not in today's world of backlash against Facebook, iCloud leaks, and NSA spying. Privacy is now paramount, and must be built into the bedrock of any system to be trusted by the public. The masses are not quick to move, but I'm pretty sure they understand the need for privacy and security, now that some of their favourite celebs have been so thoroughly violated on the web. That's actually quite an offensive, bald-faced comment that they fully intend to ransom your personal info unless you pay.
- tinco 12y ago
  You do realize they are providing a service that hosts and serves that personal info for their users right?