> I have literally _a toolbar button_ in my Android web browser that downloads the video of any page that I'm viewing right now

Well, that's you. It might surprise you to know, not everyone is you.

> Basically, the "unconvenient" method you are describing is literally fewer taps away than the "convenient" method of messaging SaveVideo, which has no autocomplete at all, and _requires me to login to Reddit_

Of course I made the assumption that you are already logged in to Reddit, because that's the type of person the usage of this bot is for anyway. If you browse without an account, this is not the bot (or service) you are looking for.

But I'm gonna humor you and count taps, tell me where I'm wrong. I'll go for the shortest actions possible. Unconvenient method:

1. Find the URL (+1 swipe to reveal address bar), copy and paste URL (+1 long tap and +1 short tap).

2. Tap on bookmarks (+1). Search for your DL service ((+1) swipe, depending how much bookmarks you use), tap on actual bookmark entry (+1).

3. Paste URL from Reddit (+1 tap minimum. If it did not autofocus to textbox, that's another (+1)). Tap action button to DL video (+1).

4. Download video finally (+1).

Total: 8 definite taps + 2 possible swipes + 1 possible additional tap if DL website does not autofocus on textbox) + the cognitive load of opening a new browser tab.

Convenient method:

1. Type command. Let's make things equal and assume autocomplete (this is a string you type frequently), score it +2 taps. Hit comment button (+1).

2. Open notifications (+1), open comment (+1), click link to download (+1).

Total: 6 definite taps.

I'll humor you further, if you had to login (and let's assume OAuth, Google login to make it equal to having a bookmark on hand) you tap on the login link (+1) and tap on the Google option (+1).

Total: 8 definite taps without the inconvenience of going out of Reddit.

Where's the "extreme flaw" in my reasoning, please?

> the only reason SaveVideo is popular is because their viral spamming strategy actually works

I really find it disingenuous of you to keep harping about a "viral spamming strategy" without mentioning that video download sites are guilty of excessive ads and dark patterns more often than not. "Use adblock!" of course, but even that is not 100% foolproof or they would annoy you by making you wait before your DL link is available. You were supposed to be seeing an ad while the wait countdown is on by the way.

I did not even count the cognitive load of these dark patterns in my accounting above (is the download link the green "GET VIDEOS" button or the blue "Save" button?) because it's too varied to settle a proper score.

SaveVideo might be a viral ad strategy but yet another difference with the ad strategy of these DL sites it is that SaveVideo is a useful trick to know for Reddit users; i.e., that ad is far more relevant. The people who learn about it might actually find use for it one day.

That's not the only reason they are popular too. It's also because...

> If on every thread of Reddit I was posting a message about my magnificent browser extension/bookmarklet/website for downloading videos, how popular do you think it would get, convenient or not?

Another aspect of these bots is that one person invokes it, the rest of the community can benefit from it. Plus, though my opinion is unchanged on the subsequent thread of "good bot" comments, the community finds that kind of behavior charming. This behavior you describe is just shameless self promotion, I'd wager you'd get more detractors than users before your account is moderated out of existence.