Reddit is owned by a billion dollar company, and does not need to be profitable. Especially with all the marketing going through the front page every single day, it's an advertisers paradise. I don't think they're hurting for money.
Contrary to popular belief Reddit is not some grass-roots operations.
It is an interesting definition of independent - they are still owned by another company, and have a minority on the board of directors.
Sure, they are off-leash now, and have been for years. And that may even be the long-term intent. But if someone owns you, they can always change the status quo.
> Reddit is owned by a billion dollar company, and does not need to be profitable.
Tell that to Myspace. A property as expensive as reddit has to have a clear road to profitability or it's going to get the axe. Conde Nast isn't running a charity.
Contrary to popular belief Reddit is not some grass-roots operations.