Reddit CEO: We're Sticking With API Changes, Despite Subreddits Going Dark

0485@lemmy.world to Lemmy.World Announcements@lemmy.world – 274 points –
Reddit CEO: We're Sticking With API Changes, Despite Subreddits Going Dark
uk.pcmag.com
374

You are viewing a single comment

There are, apparently, 2.8 million subreddits. About 8,000 are dark, meaning that's just over one quarter of one percent of subreddits. Even with some of the largest subs participating, I wouldn't be surprised if there is no massive dip in traffic. There are enough subs still open with enough mass appeal that most people will just look at some other subs for a few days. And I'll be honest, even though I've made an account both here and on kbin, I know I'll still use old.reddit (with RES and an adblocker at least) most of the time, simply because I doubt any of the subs I actively look at will do any meaningful migration that would lead to a similar level of discussion.

Hmm, 2.8 million subreddits, but how many are ghost towns? I wonder if anyone has a measurement in terms of monthly active users or something along those lines.

Of all the subs I was subscribed to, there were I want to say only about 10 that didn't take part in the blackout. I unsubscribed to all of them. I am now subscribed to only subs that either took part in the blackout, or in one case one that opted to remain public (due to the nature of its contents) but is blocking all submissions for the next couple days.

For me, once RIF stops working, reddit will be dead to me. I will never install their official app, and 99% of the time I'm on reddit is on mobile. I have no doubt that old reddits days are numbered as well and that was the remaining 1%.

Reading comment above yours i dont think the 2.8million is correct and it also states that there are only 100,000 subreddits with over 125 subscribers and only 34,000 with more tham 1000 subs. Of the roughly 8000 subreddits that went dark there are someof the biggests subscriber counts woth some having millions of subscribers. I think based on that that its actually quite a hefty number.

It's also worth noting that many of those massive subs, especially the default subs, have lots of overlap in subscribers. r/funny with 50 million and r/aww with 30 million does not necessarily equal 80 million people because there are millions, probably even tens of millions, of people who are subbed to both.

Not for long you won't. RES and old.reddit are on the chopping block too.

IDK, he said in the AMA that old reddit isn't going anywhere, and even if he's lying I don't think he would immediately do a 180 and kill it. The way I see it, it will probably be around for the foreseeable future.

He was just bullshitting about API changes in April, he's absolutely lying about old.

Well if that ends up being the case, then I'll cross that bridge when I get to it.

Wait WHAT.

Yeah, it's kinda crazy. I support the blackout but deep down I know nothing of substance will come of it. Their dip in traffic is probably not much worse than when a major city loses power.