Reddit CEO Steve Huffman on mod revolt, building a legendary community & more | E1763 This Week in Startups

This Week in Startups is presented by:

Trovata. Starting up is hard. Trovata makes managing cash easy. Start automating your cash management at Trovata.io/TWIST. Use Code TWIST for 30% off one full year of premium features like AI forecasting.

Embroker. The Embroker Startup Insurance Program helps startups secure the most important types of insurance at a lower cost and with less hassle. Save up to 20% off of traditional insurance today at Embroker.com/twist. While you’re there, get an extra 10% off using offer code TWIST.

Eight Sleep. Good sleep is the ultimate game changer. Now you can add the Pod Pro Cover to any mattress! Go to eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Pro Cover and get $150 off at checkout!

*

Today’s show:

Reddit CEO and Co-Founder Steve Huffman joins Jason to discuss building a platform that serves Reddit's community (13:33), addresses the situation with third-party apps and moderators (35:00), and much more!

*

Time stamps:

(00:00) Reddit CEO Steve Huffman joins Jason

(2:40) The evolution of Reddit and its community

(4:10) The tailwinds powering Reddit and Steve's thoughts on speech mitigation

(12:00) Trovata - Use code TWIST at https://trovata.io/twist for 30% off one year of premium features, like AI forecasting

(13:33) The Reddit "Keep it real" ethos and the importance of allowing open debate

(17:47) Authoritarianism and challenging orthodoxies

(24:29) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at ⁠https://Embroker.com/twist

(25:44) Steve's optimism for AI and why this is only the beginning

(35:00) The response to Reddit's API use in various LLMs

(37:57) Eight Sleep - Go to https://eightsleep.com/twist to check out the Pod Pro Cover and get $150 off at checkout!

(39:29) Going in-depth on Reddit's situation and API history

(48:03) What it comes down to for third-party apps

(56:20) What changed Steve's opinion on advertising

*

Read LAUNCH Fund 4 Deal Memo: https://www.launch.co/four

Apply for Funding: https://www.launch.co/apply

Buy ANGEL: https://www.angelthebook.com

Great recent interviews: Brian Chesky, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland, PrayingForExits, Jenny Lefcourt

Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis

*

Follow Jason:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jason

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jason

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis

*

Follow TWiST:

Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin

*

Subscribe to the Founder University Podcast: https://www.founder.university/podcast