this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2023
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Apollo founder Christian Selig said he's "heartbroken" about pulling the plug on the third-party app following Reddit's API pricing changes.

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[–] fuckstick@lemmy.world 77 points 2 years ago (3 children)

I used Reddit for over a decade, and much of that was with Apollo. Not going back purely because of how they treated Christian and the other 3rd party devs

[–] cybersandwich@lemmy.world 39 points 2 years ago (9 children)

I've said this before elsewhere, but all of the spez BS aside, I used RiF for reddit. To me, that was Reddit. 95% of my time on reddit was through the lens of RiF.

They are effectively getting rid of reddit for me by forcing RiF to shutdown.

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[–] Rai@lemmy.dbzer0.com 13 points 2 years ago

Hell yeah. 16 years here, and as part of some big happenings early on. (RIP I_RAPE_CATS)

Haven’t touched Reddit since Apollo died.

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[–] grizzledgrizzly@lemmy.world 73 points 2 years ago (15 children)

Everyone keeps commenting on how federation feels “emptier” than Reddit, but honestly all I did after 15 or so years on Reddit is doom scroll. I just lurked and felt miserable. There IS less content here and because of that I visit for a shorter period of time and that FREEs me up to do other, more productive things with people I know outside of social media. After the past few weeks of learning about the tech and the why and how of the land I think I like the balance here.

[–] anotherandrew@lemmy.mixdown.ca 26 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Nine year redditor here; I never fell into the doomscrolling that so many others talk about, and I will miss Reddit, but something I've discovered is that while it's difficult to get a "toe hold" in the fediverse, once you do, there is way more content here than I ever knew about on Reddit.

Not saying that Reddit didn't have it, but rather that I never got curious enough to poke around beyond my main block of subs that I'd curated over that decade. There are entire domains here devoted to science or philosophy or retro gaming, and it really does look like they're vibrant and active. Finding them is the issue, which really is the big problem with the fediverse in the first place.

There really isn't a great cut-and-switch over to Lemmy that will make a redditor feel like nothing has changed, but the discovery process isn't too much different from Reddit, and I think people need to remember that their Reddit experience wasn't built in a day. My suggestion is to take a more curious approach rather than the "Reddit's dead, what's its identical replacement?" that I see, because there really isn't one and, even if there was, it'd be just as susceptible to the same disease that is currently killing Reddit (and Twitter).

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[–] Zibani@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago (2 children)

See, I have to agree with how it feels empty. I very carefully curated the subs I looked at on reddit. I was there for very specific news and discussion and memes about my various hobbies and interests all compiled into a single easy to access place. This does not fill my needs yet. But hopefully we can start filling that niche going forward.

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[–] Matthew@programming.dev 15 points 2 years ago

Rather than simply look to Lemmy as a replacement, I've also been trying not just not need to look at a screen constantly.

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[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world 68 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I’m a part of that group. I see 24 people wish I’d kick rocks haha, I get it.

Look, I’m sure most of the refugees agree with me. If we don’t fit in we’ll leave.

So far I’m digging Lemmy. I wish it was more active, but if it’s gonna grow it will.

It broke my heart to leave Reddit after 15-16 years, but it’s not that same place any more any way.

So, hello fellow Apollo refugees.

[–] Whatsit_Tooya@lemmy.world 22 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (15 children)

Not being able to browse on mobile killed it for me. Most of my browsing was on mobile via Apollo. I refuse to get the official app after this stunt so now I’m just not using Reddit.

Luckily wefwef is making the transition easy and familiar.

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[–] RaincoatsGeorge@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (4 children)

I used reddit is fun but it's the same story. Literally 15 years using that website daily.

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[–] jordanlund@lemmy.one 53 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Reddit is Fun user here... I had 15 years on reddit, I was part of their FCC filing in favor of Net Neutrality... I'm not going back.

It's not just about shutting down the apps, it's about the utter disdain they showed the communities and the users.

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[–] randombit@lemmy.sdf.org 51 points 2 years ago (7 children)

After Apollo’s API token was invalid, I deleted my account. I know it’s a minuscule drop in the ocean for Reddit, but not matter, I’m with Lemmy and the fediverse come what may.

[–] phoneymouse@lemmy.world 12 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Same, in the optional feedback box, I told them to fire Spez

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[–] smulk@lemmy.world 51 points 2 years ago (6 children)

hey, that’s me! I’m a redditor that walked away after Apollo shutdown!

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[–] Clown_Tempura@lemmy.world 41 points 2 years ago (8 children)

I deleted my Reddit account. I almost exclusively browsed on mobile and I won't be caught dead using Reddit's useless official ap. Hi Lemmy.

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[–] Shad0w@lemmy.world 38 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I stepped away from Reddit after Apollo shut down in part out of spite and to stand against the crap from Reddit but mostly because Apollo made Reddit usable.

[–] TheRealKuni@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I’ve been using WefWef to browse Lemmy and it feels so perfectly familiar. Makes me very happy.

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[–] techt@lemmy.world 14 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Never used Apollo but after seeing how Huffman lied about it, plus al of the misleading messaging, it was more than enough to cut that tie

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[–] shoobie@lemmy.world 37 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Try wefwef.app my fellow ex-Apollo users

[–] Mikelius@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Using it right now, it’s like a warm blanket.

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[–] Ddhuud@lemmy.world 33 points 2 years ago (2 children)

I'm pissed at HOW they did it. Without an ounce of respect for the user base. They could have made it affordable and turned a profit out of 3rd party apps, they could have been more civil on the communications, they could have explained the problem and asked suggestions, even if they had no intentions on doing something else.

But they choosed a huge FU, not only to it's end users, but to people that were trying to make reddit a better place, either at barely a profit, or with volunteer work.

[–] FunkyDuck@lemmy.world 18 points 2 years ago

They could have just straight up said, "hey, we are getting rid of third party apps because we need to consolidate where our users browse reddit for our IPO". I would have been annoyed, but the way they pretended that all that TPA devs were too unreasonable to work with their outrageous terms genuinely pissed me the fuck off.

[–] MrKilroy@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago

When the controversy first started, I thought reddit was doing the ol "announce something way worse than what we actually intend so when we compromise and get what we really want everyone will be happy" but no, they didn't budge at all and acted like assholes in the process. If they just remained silent the whole time that would have been better. Instead they showed how they truly do not care about their users.

[–] zos_kia@lemmy.fmhy.ml 30 points 2 years ago (4 children)

Let's be realistic here, there's very little chance that a significant portion of users migrate out. It's cool. We don't have to obsess about our ex.

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[–] Sinister_Grape@lemmy.world 29 points 2 years ago (3 children)
[–] kremdostup@pawb.social 22 points 2 years ago (6 children)

wefwef says it's inspired by apollo

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[–] SussItOut@lemmy.world 29 points 2 years ago (1 children)

After 12 years, I walked away. No Apollo, no Reddit. I like it here just fine.

[–] riceball@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Did you try wefwef? It’s pretty much has the same interface as Apollo

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[–] Shippuu@lemm.ee 29 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I’m not an Apollo user but still quit reddit because of the disgusting handling not only of third party app but also of the mods and users. Reddit isn’t deserving any of my time anymore. So far I’m enjoying lemmy and hope it stays free of corporate greed!

[–] Nowyn@sopuli.xyz 12 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I found the attitudes behind the API changes and handling the whole thing problematic enough that I am here now. Deleted thousands of comments and posts on my way out.

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[–] Coreidan@lemmy.world 28 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (3 children)

Apollo shutting down forced me to confront my Reddit addiction. I used Reddit to escape my life. Even if it was just 5 minutes to take a break from work, or remove myself from reality to avoid anxiety or boredom. It became a crutch and an addiction. Instead of focusing on trying to change the moment or situation I’d escape instead.

It’s a lazy crutch to give yourself dopamine when in reality we all should be focusing on self improvement. Delayed gratification instead of immediate release. It sucks the various communities will die but at least my health can improve.

[–] ComradeKhoumrag@infosec.pub 19 points 2 years ago

I moved my Lemmy app to the same location I'd habitually press sync for reddit. Im as addicted to pressing that part of my screen as I am reddit itself

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[–] calhoon2005@aussie.zone 26 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Sync user here. I've walked away.. Waiting on SyncForLemmy.

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[–] SudAnon@lemmy.world 25 points 2 years ago

I stopped using reddit the second Apollo stopped working, and I don't think I've truly missed it once since then, I'm optimistic things will get far better with time as more people join lemmy.

[–] Candelestine@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago (6 children)

Judging from the slowdowns and hiccups around here, yeah, I'd say that was "some". And we're not done yet either. Plenty of people in the world party on friday and saturday. Plenty of people in the US are camping or something on an extended weekend.

Everyone checks it eventually as the week rolls on though. Kinda fortunate for us, really. Spreads the influx out.

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[–] renrenPDX@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago

Yup, that's me. I'm still a little surprised at how easy (thanks Spez) it actually was for being such a heavy consumer of Reddit. Doing Christian wrong like that, as well as the many popular 3rd party apps and their loyal users, just didn't sit right with me. Spez chose the nuclear option, instead of actually working with and potentially helping to grow the site along with 3rd party devs, so this is the resulting fallout. He asked for it, so he got it.

[–] ChamrsDeluxe@lemmy.world 19 points 2 years ago (5 children)

Once Bacon Reader died, I stopped. It's sad. I was subbed to a lot of fun and interesting subreddits. But fuck spez, that greedy little pig boy. Lemmy seems like reddit lite for the moment, but I'm sure it will grow.

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[–] dbilitated@aussie.zone 18 points 2 years ago (3 children)

used to use reddit sync.. deleted my reddit account now. shame, it was a really active site, but this is a good equivalent and it won't get spezzed or eloned. I can just move server if I feel like it.

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[–] AliasWyvernspur@lemmy.world 18 points 2 years ago (6 children)

I’ve always preferred mobile sites to apps. Not sure why. Maybe I just like to use Safari to manage all that I’m checking out.

But I stand with developers. Even Balmer knew developers are a major key to success. I’m not interested in using a site with such hostile ownership.

Fuck spez.

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[–] CaptPretentious@lemmy.world 18 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Before Reddit shutdown the apis I used a tool that deleted my entire history. I think this move on Reddit's part is just the beginning, very similar to Twitter. Honestly any platform that gets to large tends to forget itself.

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[–] Rhoeri@lemmy.world 17 points 2 years ago (2 children)

To me, Apollo WAS Reddit. Period. When Apollo shut down, Reddit shut down.

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[–] tiagofal@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Apollo refugee here. Can confirm.

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[–] UnfortunateDoorHinge@aussie.zone 16 points 2 years ago

I miss r/Cricket with the massive community of Indian Redditors, they are so funny and quick witted, so it was a quiet one this week in the small Cricket sub (or whatever you call it). But glad to get the ball rolling with Lemmy.

[–] abnormal_123@lemmy.world 16 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Reddit was becoming complete trash. The only thing that kept me was Apollo because it had an awesome feature where I could filter out all the keywords I didn’t want to see. Well, Apollo is now gone, so I’m done with Reddit and have started using lemmy.

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[–] Seven@feddit.de 16 points 2 years ago (16 children)

I bought the wallpapers to support Christian and had a really emotional evening.

When the blackout started I joined Lemmy and started to stop using Reddit to show my support by not producing any traffic.

On the last day I opened up apollo again and it was so terrifying, knowing the way I used Reddit for years will be gone. I used PDS but will wait with the deletion of my accounts to be safe that Reddit doesn’t restore my comments.

I still keep my fingers crossed that Christian will make an Apollo App for Lemmy, but I can totally understand the he got other things to do.

Just remember, he got called out from Spez and one of his income sources just disappeared because a business partner just wanted to fuck him up. I hope his friends and family will be there for him.

BTW: Made a little fan icon. Just for the dreams.

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[–] activator90@lemmynsfw.com 15 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (6 children)

Looks like I'm from the minority of people who browsed Reddit on Firefox Android. Although I lost nothing, I like the smaller cohesive community feeling of Lemmy

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[–] theangryseal@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I’m a part of that group. I see 24 people wish I’d kick rocks haha, I get it.

Look, I’m sure most of the refugees agree with me. If we don’t fit in we’ll leave.

So far I’m digging Lemmy. I wish it was more active, but if it’s gonna grow it will.

It broke my heart to leave Reddit after 15-16 years, but it’s not that same place any more any way.

So, hello fellow Apollo refugees.

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[–] SloppyPuppy@lemmy.world 15 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Well I just stopped going to reddit. The only way O used reddit was apollo. I put lemmy icon on the aplllo place cos I kept unconsciously clicking it even though I knew it wont work.

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[–] eggs@lemm.ee 12 points 2 years ago (7 children)

Went straight from Apollo to wefwef. Smooth transition.

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