Reddit's 'Terrible' Name Ignored by Co-Founder, Now a $38 Billion Business

Reddit's co-founder Alexis Ohanian once disregarded business advice from Paul Graham, a well-known investor and co-founder of Y Combinator, which led to the multibillion-dollar success of the social news and discussion website. According to Ohanian, Graham warned that Reddit's name was "terrible" and would be "poison" for the fledgling company. However, Ohanian chose to ignore this advice and instead retained the orange-eyed mascot, Snoo, which he had designed. Ohanian shared this anecdote on the sidelines of the Fortune Global Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October. He acknowledged that he made several mistakes as a first-time CEO but stated that disregarding Graham's advice was one of the things he got right. Ohanian's decision to keep the name and mascot has proven to be a pivotal moment in the company's history, as Reddit has grown into a $38 billion business. Reddit's origins date back to 2005, when Ohanian and his co-founder Steve Huffman launched the website as a platform for users to share and discuss content. The site quickly gained popularity, and its unique approach to community-driven content has made it a staple of the internet. Despite Graham's initial reservations, Reddit's name and branding have become synonymous with online discourse and community engagement. Industry experts attribute Reddit's success to its ability to adapt to changing user behaviors and technological advancements. "Reddit's success is a testament to its ability to evolve and stay relevant in a rapidly changing digital landscape," said Emily Chen, a technology analyst at a leading research firm. "The platform's focus on community engagement and user-generated content has allowed it to thrive in an era of social media saturation." As Reddit continues to grow and expand its user base, the company is facing new challenges and opportunities. In recent years, Reddit has faced criticism for its handling of hate speech and harassment on the platform. However, the company has taken steps to address these issues and improve its moderation policies. In conclusion, Reddit's co-founder Alexis Ohanian's decision to ignore Paul Graham's advice and retain the name and mascot has proven to be a pivotal moment in the company's history. As Reddit continues to grow and evolve, it remains to be seen how the company will navigate the complexities of the digital landscape and maintain its position as a leading social news and discussion platform.