What’s the logic with changing the title here from the actual article title it was originally submitted with “AV1 — Now Powering 30% of Netflix Streaming” to the generic and not at all representative title it currently has “AV1: a modern open codec”? That is neither the article title nor representative of the article content.
Our title policy is pretty simple and attuned for maximum respect to the post’s author/publisher and the HN audience.
We primarily just want to retain the title that was chosen by the author/publisher, because it’s their work and they are entitled to have such an important part of their work preserved.
The only caveat is that if the title is baity or misleading, we’ll edit it, but only enough that it’s no longer baity or misleading. That’s because clickbait and misleading titles are disrespectful to the audience.
Any time you see a title that doesn’t conform to these principles, you’re welcome to email us and ask us to review it. Several helpful HN users do this routinely.
"We primarily just want to retain the title that was chosen by the author/publisher, because it’s their work and they are entitled to have such an important part of their work preserved."
Nobody said the title had to be deleted. But when it doesn't convey WHAT the "thing" is, it needs augmentation. Currently on page 4 there's an example that not only conveys nothing, but DOESN'T respect the actual title you find on the linked page. The HN post is entitled merely "tunni.gg".
But if you click on that, you get to a page that says, "Expose localhost to the internet." But the poster couldn't be bothered to put that important and interesting information in the title. Instead, the title is worthless.
You see plenty of similarly and intentionally obscure titles on HN daily. Try calling them out and see what happens.