I'm pretty sure Lemmy has been designed specifically so it can't me monetized. If you try to place ads people can just switch to another instance. If you try to split off from the fediverse I'm pretty sure there's enough data on other instances in order to clone your server along with its content (and mind that you don't own the copyright for posts made by users).
I think it's more than just "not for profit" - there was actual effort to make this platform as difficult to monetize as possible (probably as a lesson learned from Reddit lol). Let's begin with the code - it's under AGPL, which means you can't set up a public Lemmy instance without making its code public. This prevents you from creating an improved version and keeping it to yourself to gain an advantage over other instances. Second, the fediverse means that it's less likely for a single instance to become so big that it can unfederate itself without consequences, and while you're federated you can't really place ads - people would just view your community on another instance.
That's nice, but I doubt enough people would use it to have a significant effect on Reddit's bottom line. It does require you to download APKs, patch them and install manually, which sounds easy to tech savvy people but isn't for the common grandma. Furthermore it's a bit bothersome cause you have to repeat it every time there's a new version (at least a new version that you want or that's required for continued access) and then there are all of those with iCrap, who can't patch apps at all.
Seems like they were forced to reopen. However, I personally don’t want anything to do with Reddit anymore, and the only subreddit I’m still watching is ModCoord. Anyway I’m looking for an alternative community to be part of. Wouldn’t mind moderating if the official mods of the subreddits pass, but I guess we need to get more people on board, and I don’t want to advertise on the subreddit without the mods’ permission.
For the time being I’ve joined. Since currently I’m the only one here there’s no real need to mod at all. I’m pondering posting a link here in the reddits but I don’t want to piss their mods.
Is lemmy.ml broken?
When I try posting a message in a community on that instance it just shows a spinning wheel forever. Anyone managed to post messages there recently?
the API changes occur tomorrow, gentlemen, it's been an honor (inb4 Lemmy completely crashes) (lemmy.world)
How are lemmy and other fediverse platforms profitable?
Reddit migrator here (shocking, I know)...
Reddit had/has a plan to block mobile browsers in favor of their app
https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/22433e76-9441-4d9c-a4f3-0cd1ff53f400.png
Is this official?
Has this community been created by the mods of r/ps3hacks or r/ps3homebrew?