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Comment by jkeuhlen | Hacker News Reader

What are the other models that exist and are currently working? As someone who is looking to build a free consumer product, I don't know what else exists that can offset my costs other than advertising. I hate paywalls just as much as advertising, so I'm opposed to just charging for access.

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I'd say provide both models but be light on ads. If people are going to use adblock, you can't stop them and they'd never click on ads anyway. If people aren't using adblock then treat them with respect like most of the modern web isn't. Put focus on making your premium experience better because these are obviously your most loyal customers.

If you expect income, you're not really looking to build a free product, are you? Seems to me, a paywall (or similar) is the honest way; those who get value from your product give value back, in the most direct and transparent way possible.

(I know I'm trivializing the question; I'm not in your situation and I don't know the perfect model for your product. But I disagree with just lumping together "paywalls" and "advertising" in the same category of "non-desirable things".)

> If you expect income, you're not really looking to build a free product, are you?

You hit it right on the nose. I'd rather pay not to have strings attached than get something free with hidden other costs.

It’s not a product unless people are willing to pay for it. That’s the long and short of it.

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