I understand this, but the distinction is academic
The people using their product. The people who, if the product were shit from day 1 - as Reddit wasn't - would have never signed up for it. Who have been effectively and literally lied to
“Users” is a misnomer that sheepishly cloaks the relationship with a little feint of dignity. You are not the customer merely because you use the thing. Where the service is free, your attention, metadata, and by extension, susceptibility to influence are the value being sold; the advertisers are the customers.
As the saying goes: “If it’s free, you’re the product.”
The people using their product. The people who, if the product were shit from day 1 - as Reddit wasn't - would have never signed up for it. Who have been effectively and literally lied to