Hundreds of Subreddits Extend Indefinite Blackout Over Reddit API Changes
More than 300 subreddits plan to remain dark indefinitely after Reddit's CEO dismisses the initial protest's impact on revenue. This escalating backlash forces popular third-party apps to shut down due to new, unaffordable API pricing.
More than 300 subreddits plan to stay dark indefinitely after an initial wave of protests against Reddit's new API pricing concludes. Popular communities like r/aww, r/music, and r/futurology join this extended blackout, making these pages completely inaccessible to users. This escalation follows an internal memo from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, who states that the protest does not significantly impact the company's revenue and predicts the backlash will pass.
The controversy stems from Reddit's decision to charge steep fees for API access, a move that forces popular third-party apps like Apollo, Reddit Is Fun, and Sync to shut down. During a recent AMA session, Huffman strongly defends the new pricing structure and takes aim at Apollo's developer. He emphasizes that Reddit remains unprofitable and asserts that the company stays profit-driven as it prepares for a potential public offering this year.
To track the sprawling protest, developers create a dedicated website to show which subreddits remain dark, restricted, or public. The ongoing blackout demonstrates the deep frustration among moderators and users over the platform's hardline stance. Meanwhile, Reddit continues to cut costs, recently laying off five percent of its staff and slowing hiring to improve its financial standing ahead of a rumored IPO.