STOP! Don't Download Anything from Softonic ⚠️

Summary

TheHopelessGeek warns users against downloading software from Softonic, highlighting the platform's questionable practices. Softonic allegedly repackages software with their own ads and profits from them, even out-ranking the original developers in search results. This practice is criticized as blatant theft, and users are urged to support original creators by avoiding Softonic. The video emphasizes the importance of ethical downloading choices and discourages supporting platforms that exploit developers' hard work for profit.

Highlights

• Softonic embeds ads in software, profiting cunningly 🤑
• Despite knowing about their practices, people still download from Softonic 🤔
• Softonic's practices reflect blatant theft from original developers 🚨
• The platform manipulates search results to rank higher than creators 👍
• A call to action for users to support original software developers ❤️

Key Takeaways

• Softonic repackages software with their ads and profits from downloads 🎁
• The platform often outranks original creators in search results 🚀
• Users are urged to download directly from original developers 📥
• Downloading from Softonic supports unethical practices ⚠️
• Ethical downloading choices are crucial to support developers 🌟

Overview

TheHopelessGeek takes a firm stand against downloading software from Softonic. They expose the shady methods used by the site to profit off other developers' hard work, primarily by embedding their ads into software. Despite these well-known practices, many users still download from Softonic, enabling the cycle of exploitation to continue.

Softonic's ability to manipulate search rankings often puts them ahead of legitimate software developers, creating a tough environment for creators who find their work overshadowed by such platforms. This practice results in an unjust financial gain for Softonic while original developers are left at a loss.

The video closes with a passionate plea to viewers, emphasizing the harmful impact of supporting Softonic. TheHopelessGeek encourages ethical downloading choices to uplift authentic creators in the tech industry. By avoiding Softonic, users can help combat these exploitative actions, making a difference for hardworking developers.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Softonic and the Issue The chapter introduces Softonic as a popular software hosting site known for offering free software downloads. However, there is a significant issue as Softonic is accused of taking other people's software, embedding their own advertisements into it, and then redistributing it. This practice, often seen as unethical, was common around 2015 or 2016 but surprisingly continues even today. The narrator acknowledges that this issue might seem outdated as the date of the issue is visible, hinting at ongoing relevance.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Ongoing Issues with Softonic The chapter discusses ongoing issues with Softonic, a platform that has consistently caused trouble for developers wanting to remove their software. The transcript highlights a particular problem faced by a smaller developer struggling to get their product removed. It critiques Softonic's approach, particularly their shift towards blogging for ad revenue, and calls for users to avoid downloading software from such platforms to prevent rewarding their freeloading behavior.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Softonic's Business Model and Scummy Practices Softonic engages in unethical business practices by downloading numerous apps, inserting their own ad codes, and profiting from the ad revenue. They provide these apps for free and manipulate search engine rankings to ensure their links appear above those of the original developers. This results in Softonic's links appearing higher even if the original developer removes the game. This practice is characterized as blatant theft and unjustifiable, highlighting Softonic's lack of concern for ethical considerations.
• 01:30 - 02:00: The Consequences of Using Softonic This chapter discusses the ethical implications and consequences of downloading apps from Softonic, a platform known for providing free software. The speaker urges the audience to avoid downloading from such sources as it undermines the efforts of original developers and supports unethical practices. They emphasize the importance of supporting original creators by choosing to purchase apps legally instead of succumbing to the allure of free cracked software, highlighting that pursuing free software often comes at the expense of others' hard work. The speaker concludes by urging a shift in mindset as we move into 2024, encouraging the audience to reconsider their actions and choices when it comes to downloading software.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Call to Action: Support Original Developers In this chapter titled 'Call to Action: Support Original Developers,' the author discusses the challenges associated with the unauthorized distribution of digital content on the internet. The chapter emphasizes the importance of discouraging the use of such content by pointing out that every user who decides to download or use unauthorized copies contributes to the problem. Even if an individual believes that their single action is insignificant ('it's just me'), collectively, such attitudes lead to significant impacts on original developers. The chapter urges readers to refrain from using unauthorized content in hopes of reducing ad revenue and support for such activities, thereby encouraging respect and support for the original creators.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Discouraging the Use of Softonic The chapter titled 'Discouraging the Use of Softonic' addresses the ethical concerns of using Softonic. It discusses how Softonic distributes software without proper compensation to the original creators, effectively enabling theft. The narrative emphasizes that by using Softonic, users are complicit in this unethical practice, equating it to being part of a crime.

STOP! Don't Download Anything from Softonic ⚠️ Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 if you ever tried to download some software online you would have known about Softonic it's like a massive software hosting site from where you can download pretty much anything for free now that free download seems great but it turns out they are actually taking other people's code putting their own ads into it and then Distributing it that used to be a scummy thing a lot of people would do back in like 2015 or 16 but I'm kind of surprised it's still goes on even today now before you say bro this issue was a year old yes I know that I can see a date right there but
• 00:30 - 01:00 looking at the replies it's pretty clear that this has been going on for a long time and I don't think it has stopped just yet today I'm sure there's a smaller developer who did not have this kind of a reach who's trying to get the same thing done remove their software from Softonic and if you look at their social media they're posting all kinds of things now they're focusing on blogging I guess trying to generate some ad Revenue with some clicks that's fine but still unless the official site is down why would anyone download from these guys let's not give freeloaders extra ad money shall we so softw
• 01:00 - 01:30 downloads dozens if not hundreds of apps and then loads their own ad codes like it fills those apps with ads where they get the ad revenue and of course they'll let you download for free it's pretty easy nowadays to pay a search engine like Google to rank higher than the original developer when I searched for Among Us PC soft tonic links comes first that's honestly so scummy right even when the original developer has pulled that game these guys continue to push it and it's blatant theft there is no justification for this now Softonic doesn't care they they make a lot of
• 01:30 - 02:00 money so they won't stop but I'm asking you the online Surfer to not download apps from there because if you download and start using for free you are basically enabling these thieves let's not do that you know let's try and support original developers and if you feel the same way that I don't care I want free stuff well that's fine it's up to you but just know that your choices and your preferences are coming at the cost of someone else's hard work oh you're going here so please it's 2024 at least going forward from now stop searching for free crack download and
• 02:00 - 02:30 all that don't do it I mean I can't really think of any other solution than to not use them from a developer perspective there isn't much you can do like this is the internet if you put it out there it will be distributed in many ways the best thing that we can do is ask people not to use so hopefully they'll be discouraged a little bit if they're not getting any AD Revenue might as well stop and that justification that oh come on it's just me I'm just going to download one thing that doesn't work because you're not the only one saying once I'm just going to take one no there
• 02:30 - 03:00 are 100 million people who say the same thing and again as I've said before as many of you have disliked before doesn't matter it's the truth if you take something that requires payment without paying for it you are a thief soft tonic is doing exactly that they're taking others work for they a profit and if you enable them you are part of the crime