---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reason subscription (and RSS) was…"
description: "\"“The reason subscription (and RSS) was abandoned was because in a subscription economy the users are in control. In the on-off model, the competition m..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/ryan-holiday-514_bottom-line_the-reason-subscription-and-rss-was-aban_1482435.jpg"
---

#  The reason subscription (and RSS) was abandoned was…

![“The reason subscription (and RSS) was abandoned was because in a subscription economy the users are in control. In the on-off model, the competition might be more vicious, but its on the terms of the publisher. Having followers instead of subscribers - where readers have to check back on sites…” quote by Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/ryan-holiday-514_bottom-line_the-reason-subscription-and-rss-was-aban_1482435.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/ryan-holiday-514_bottom-line_the-reason-subscription-and-rss-was-aban_1482435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db6/ryan-holiday-514_bottom-line_the-reason-subscription-and-rss-was-aban_1482435.jpg)

> ““The reason subscription (and RSS) was abandoned was because in a subscription economy the users are in control. In the on-off model, the competition might be more vicious, but its on the terms of the publisher. Having followers instead of subscribers - where readers have to check back on sites often are barraged with a stream of refreshing content laden with ads - is much better for their bottom line.””

[Ryan Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-holiday/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

In a subscription model, users control content, while publishers lose control; shifting to followers reduces ad overload and improves revenue.

**In simple terms:** User‑controlled content benefits both sides.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize user agency over forced subscriptions.

Themes

media economics control advertising

Mood

analytical critical

Type

business media

When to use this quote

- content strategy
- advertising
- product design
- media planning

Key Concepts

digital media subscription models user experience

Questions to Reflect On

- What balance between user control and revenue works best?
- How can creators maintain quality without ads?

A Different Perspective

Followers still need engagement; control can be lost without quality content.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abandoned Subscription](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abandoned-subscription-5405954/) [Bottom line](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bottom-line/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Instead Subscribers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instead-subscribers-5405957/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Rss Abandoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rss-abandoned-5405955/) [Subscription Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subscription-economy-5405953/) [Subscription Rss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subscription-rss-5405956/)

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