Farcaster

fc-updates

We’re planning to launch a new, optional “Pro” protocol subscription

1. At launch, subscribers will have a Pro badge on their profile

2. Subscription will be onchain and part of the protocol. 100% of the proceeds go to casters / developers in weekly rewards. This in addition to the existing $25K+ a week in rewards. 

3. Planning to add longer casts (10K characters) and up to 4 images per cast for pro subscribers (needs a protocol change). Additional features over time.

4. $120 a year / $10 a month 
Why are we doing this?

- The protocol needs to find long-term revenue source that can continue fund caster and developer rewards beyond any one company.  
- We originally thought storage fees could be that, but we’ve realized that storage fees should be essentialy free to help growth. 
- So we’re trying an opt-in pro subscription as another model

Why now?

- Figuring out a long-term revenue model that works will allow us to double down on investing in growth

I like the idea generally and will have to consider it, but for a couple of things

- I'm not totally sold on the leaderboard algo as it currently is and don't really want to subsidize that - many of the people at the top of the leaderboard I don't know of and/or interact with

- I don't want my money to support builders who actively look down on my people (replyguys)

- It'd be nice to be able to have more say in where your subscription fees specifically go (see above - I'd like to prioritize my money going towards replyguys more than "builders")

If we were able to be a bit more intentional with where our specific subscription fees go (instead of a general fund) I'd be more excited for the idea, I don't think it's bad on its face