Ask HN: Would you monetize a tech news site like Hacker News

3 points by rayraegah ↗ HN
Traditional ad revenue isn’t efficient. If you were to start a tech news site around a specific subject, what would be your revenue model to make it sustainable?

3 comments

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HN's model is to drive YC brand recognition and make it easier for YC companies to hire. It's free to us and, sure enough, we are the product: a huge audience of tech workers.

Assuming at least one YC company lowers its burn rate thanks to HN, survives when it otherwise wouldn't, and has a big exit, HN's value could be measured in millions or billions.

You may be interested in the The Information, which launched by charging a super high subscription fee (something like $50/mo) and is apparently doing well.

One-time $5 per user account charge. Keeps out the spammers!