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points by MrJohz 2 days ago | 0 comments

I think the point is that it would be nice if people who are already paying for human-driven searches could also get an API key included in that plan.

Right now, API usage is only available using a PAYG credit system, even if you've already got a subscription. But giving subscription users an allotment of free credits that covers light API usage would be nice - I could plug it into my agent of choice for casual chats or exploration, while still having to buy credits for more extreme or production usage.

[–] ProfessorLayton 2 days ago

It would be nice indeed, but it's a bit like wanting to share a gym subscription when you're not using it. The economics would fall apart if everyone used 100% of their subscription, unless sharing was priced in from the beginning.

[–] MrJohz 2 days ago

The city transport system where I live has a subscription pass you can buy that is normally tied to a single person. However, if you pay a little bit extra you make the ticket transferable, and even let someone else travel with you for free on weekends and in the evenings. Like you say, they've presumably priced in the extra usage there that comes from it being transferable, or from the extra travellers, but also put limits on how much leeway you have to abuse the system.

I'm imagining rate limits that would prevent the user from making many more API calls than they would have made searches anyway. If you want unlimited 24/7 searches, you can pay for the credits directly, but if you just want to partially replace your existing search habits with e.g. interactive agent sessions, then that would be fine.

A more specific example would be how Anthropic allow certain Claude subscriptions to get free API credits, with some restrictions on the age of the account and with the number of credits being limited.

I think there is a workable solution here, although I can imagine that figuring out the details (how many credits to offer, what sort of limits, how to price the whole thing, etc) is complicated enough that Kagi have decided it's not worth the effort for the small number of users for whom this feature would be useful. And generally I'm very satisfied with Kagi, so I'm not complaining here or trying to suggest that this is something that they should be expected to offer. It would just be nice!

[–] JacobAsmuth 2 days ago

What if the usage were shared between the two and a single API search used more of your quota than a UI search? There's no reason the economics can't line up.

e.g. if you expect the average user to use 50% of the search quota / month through the UI, but 100% through the API, then you make the quota shared between the two but double the effect of usage from the API.

[–] ProfessorLayton 2 days ago

That would work if the average user with Search + API used the same "amount" (Costs to Kagi) as the average account using Search only. If it nets out to a higher cost, Kagi is making less out of the same subscription amount.

Especially if the API induces demand.

(Don't shoot the messenger, just trying to explain why it makes sense that they're not doing this)

[–] xp84 2 days ago

I think the only way to make it not harmful to their finances would be if they lowered the cap (even for human use) to where heavy users and API users alike ended up paying 'overages' constantly. Everybody who has studied consumer behavior generally finds that people hate overage charges to an irrational extent[1] so that would be a terrible move compared to just saying "API users, you've got to pay extra, sorry."

[1] Meaning, they are more satisfied with an 'unlimited' or just way-more-than-you'll-ever-need option, even when it costs them more when averaged over even a few months. I'm not saying this makes you an irrational person -- I have the same illogical feelings myself.

[–] wolvoleo 2 days ago

That's not really illogical, it's just because many companies use the fine print to fleece customers that are slightly above the limit. Think Ryanair. Or mobile roaming.

This is why unlimited or at least a service stop instead of overage is highly preferable. It's the reason I only use prepaid mobile plans too so they can never overcharge me (and it's cheaper than a contract too)