Is expanding into video content worth potentially alienating Reddit's core text-based community?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether expanding into video content is worth potentially alienating Reddit's core text-based community. This scenario touches on the delicate balance between growth and maintaining user loyalty, a challenge many platforms face as they evolve. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering user impact, business goals, and technical feasibility, ultimately providing a strategic recommendation.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Based on recent platform trends, I'm thinking video content might be a significant growth opportunity. Could you share any data on user engagement with existing multimedia content on Reddit?

Why it matters: Helps gauge potential user interest and adoption Expected answer: Moderate engagement, primarily in specific subreddits Impact on approach: Would influence targeting strategy for video rollout

• Considering Reddit's unique community-driven model, I'm curious about the current revenue streams. How does the existing text-based content contribute to Reddit's monetization efforts?

Why it matters: Understand potential financial implications of the shift Expected answer: Significant ad revenue from text-based engagement Impact on approach: Would inform how to balance monetization between text and video

• Looking at user behavior, I'm wondering about the primary use cases for Reddit. What percentage of users come for in-depth discussions versus quick content consumption?

Why it matters: Identifies potential user segments for video content Expected answer: Mix of both, with a slight lean towards in-depth discussions Impact on approach: Would guide content strategy and feature prioritization

• From a technical standpoint, I'm considering the infrastructure needed. What's our current capability to handle video hosting and streaming at scale?

Why it matters: Assesses feasibility and resource requirements Expected answer: Limited current capacity, would require significant investment Impact on approach: Would impact timeline and budget allocation for the project

• Regarding timeline, I'm thinking about competitive pressures. Are there any immediate market forces pushing us towards this decision now?

Why it matters: Helps prioritize the initiative against other projects Expected answer: Increasing competition from video-first platforms Impact on approach: Would influence the urgency and scope of the rollout