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> You realize we're talking about a product that is currently free, right? Neither of us have any insight into the margins of their paid offering.

I don't see how that changes the analysis.

> All this means is: we have a free offering that we can't figure out another way to monetize right now.

And they're doing something they significantly don't want to do to monetize it.

Either they fully changed their mind, or the money is somewhat important, or they're utterly crazy.

The first is unlikely, the last is unlikely, the middle one is enough for a casual "strapped for cash".

It's a very minor conjecture. Actions aren't taken for no reason.

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If we can agree that "strapped for cash" also includes "not stupid with cash", I think we're on the same page here. :)

(For all I know they are strapped for cash, to be clear; I just don't think the quote says that.)

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Going with a last resort implies more than "not stupid".
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Okay, fine: "conservative with cash" or even "tight with spending"?

(I'm not sure how much deeper HN threads can nest.)

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"Tight" gets pretty close to "strapped", especially when it comes to making a change.

(They can go super deep if people are committed.)

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I concede.

(Haha, ok, let's call a truce here before we break HN! Appreciate the conversation.)

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Presumably the way to monetize a free tier is by converting them into paying users.
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“Upgrade for an Ad free experience” will certainly be a part of it.
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