“Over the past week, the internet has been abuzz with news of the Reddit Blackout, a protest by volunteer moderators who have shut down over 5000 subreddits in opposition to the platform’s new API pricing policies.
Originally set to last for just 48 hours, the blackout has continued indefinitely, and tensions between the moderators and Reddit’s owners are mounting. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at what’s been happening with the Reddit Blackout and what it means for the future of the platform. Is this the end of Reddit as we know it? Let’s find out.”
Introduction
Brief explanation of what the Reddit blackout is
The Reddit blackout is a protest by the site’s users against the company’s plans to introduce charges for third-party apps. The protest involves subreddits going offline to prevent the changes from happening. This has resulted in some major subreddits joining the blackout indefinitely, while others are taking partial steps by blacking out for a few days a week. The protest aims to force the company to scrap their plans, but as it stands, Reddit seems unwilling to budge. [1][2]
Importance of the issue
The Reddit blackout is a critical issue that affects the entire community of the platform. The protest brings attention to the need for user input, fair API call pricing, and the importance of third-party developers to the Reddit ecosystem. With the changes set to take effect on July 1, it remains to be seen how Reddit’s bottom line and user experience will be impacted. Ultimately, the future of Reddit is at stake, and it’s essential to listen to the concerns of those who make the community what it is today. [3][4]
Background Information
Details about the original announcement of API changes in April
In April, Reddit announced changes to their application programming interface (API) program, including new charges for third-party developers who access their data. The new fees would effectively shut down some popular third-party apps, including ones that exclusively offer accessibility features for disabled users. This sparked outrage among moderators and users, leading to the recent Reddit blackout protest. [5][6]
Explanation of what APIs are and their significance to third party developers
APIs or Application Programming Interfaces allow third-party developers to access data from big platforms like Reddit, without actually accessing the platform itself. This access allows developers to build their own applications with their own interface and additional features, providing a more customizable and accessible experience for users. Reddit’s upcoming changes charging developers to access its API therefore directly affects these third-party developers and the apps they create. [7][8]
Subreddit Blackout Protest
Number of subreddits that participated in the blackout
Over 7800 subreddits have gone offline in solidarity for the blackout protest against the incoming changes to Reddit’s API pricing policies. Among them are some of the largest and most popular subreddits like r/funny, r/gaming, r/todayilearned, and r/aww. Although the initial blackout was set to end on Wednesday for most subreddits, more than 5000 have continued staying dark past their original end dates. The lack of a central organizing group may contribute to differing blackout timelines. [9][10]
Explanation of why some subreddits have extended the blackout indefinitely
Many subreddits have decided to extend the blackout indefinitely until Reddit meets their demands. The outrage stems from Reddit’s decision to charge for the use of its API, which will shut down some popular third-party apps. Visually impaired users also rely on third-party apps due to the official Reddit mobile app not being accessible to them, exacerbating the issue. Despite Reddit claiming that the community-led blackout will pass, many subreddits remain committed to the cause. [11][12]
Reaction to the Protest
User reactions to the protest
Many users were supportive of the blackout, seeing it as a way to stand up to Reddit’s new API pricing terms that would negatively impact third-party developers. However, others were frustrated with the inconvenience of the outage and felt that the protest was ineffective in changing Reddit’s policies. Regardless, the number of subreddits participating in the blackout speaks to the level of concern and dissatisfaction within the community. [13][14]
List of popular apps that have shut down due to the changes
As a result of the new API changes, several of the most popular third-party Reddit apps like Apollo, Sync, and Pager have announced their closures. This has left many Reddit users disappointed and frustrated since these apps were preferred over the official Reddit app due to their extra customization and better accessibility features. While Reddit CEO Steve Huffman defended the API call pricing, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect the future of third-party app development on the platform. [15][16]
Reddit spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt’s explanation of the API call pricing
According to Reddit spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt, the API call pricing is based on usage levels comparable to the company’s own. The goal is for Reddit to be fairly paid for providing services that the API needs to function. Rathschmidt noted that the company needs to shore up its finances ahead of its planned IPO later this year, and sees the API pricing as a way to achieve this. While some concessions have been made, Reddit seems unwilling to change its mind. [17][18]
Claims that some moderators have been removed by the company administration
There have been claims that Reddit administration has removed some moderators who participated in the blackout protest. This move has not gone down well with moderators and Reddit users who view these actions as an attempt to stifle dissent. The unpaid moderators believe that they are being treated unfairly and questioned who would replace them. This has led to further questions about the future of Reddit and the impact of the blackout protest. [19][20]
Conclusion
Overview of the current state of the Reddit blackout protest
Currently, the Reddit blackout protest is still ongoing, with many subreddits participating in the 48-hour blackout or even extending it indefinitely. The protest is in response to Reddit’s new API pricing, which many feel will make it impossible for third-party apps to survive. Despite the growing backlash, Reddit has shown no signs of changing course, leaving many wondering what the future holds for the site and its user base. [21][22]
Final thoughts on the future of Reddit and the implications of the blackout protest.
The Reddit blackout protest has sparked an important conversation about the future of the platform. The decision to charge for access to its APIs has not only led to the shutdown of popular third-party apps, but also to a widespread protest from subreddit communities. This highlights the importance of third-party developers and moderators in shaping the platform, and the need for Reddit to consider their concerns in its decision-making. The future of Reddit could depend on how it responds to this protest, and whether it can find a way to balance the needs of all its users. [23][24]
