Reddit Starts Blocking Mobile Website, Pushing Users to App Instead
MacRumors • • general
Key Points:
- Reddit has begun blocking mobile visitors from accessing its website without downloading the official app, displaying an un-dismissible popup urging users to "get the app to keep using Reddit."
- The move is part of a test targeting frequent logged-out mobile users, with Reddit stating the app provides a more personalized experience and easier community discovery.
- Users have expressed frustration on Reddit forums, concerned about losing the ability to browse anonymously and criticizing the aggressive push toward app usage.
- Reddit's monetization challenges since going public have driven efforts to increase app logins for better activity tracking and ad revenue, amid controversies like its 2024 OpenAI data-sharing deal.
- This strategy follows previous unpopular changes, including ending ad personalization opt-outs and charging developers for API access, which led to the shutdown of popular third-party Reddit apps.