Reddit Faces Backlash over API Changes and Restructuring

Over the past month, Reddit has faced a storm of controversy following changes to its data API that have had significant implications for third-party applications and the wider Reddit community. The changes, which came into effect on July 1, have led to a surge in protests from both developers and users, with many subreddits going dark in response. The company's CEO, Steve Huffman, has publicly defended the decision, arguing that it is a necessary step toward profitability. However, this has done little to appease the concerns of the Reddit community.

In June, Christian Selig, the developer behind the popular Apollo Reddit client, announced that the new API pricing would cost him an untenable $20 million per month to operate his app. The news sparked widespread concern among other third-party Reddit app developers, many of whom expressed their fears about the future of their applications. In response, a number of subreddits chose to go dark between June 12-14, protesting against the changes. As a result of the pricing changes, Selig announced he would be shutting down Apollo, with other popular apps like Reddit is Fun and Sync for Reddit also closing.

In the midst of the escalating controversy, Huffman defended his stance in a series of interviews as well as a dramatic AMA on the Reddit site, where he was accused of being overly profit-driven. He argued that while third-party developers were making profits, Reddit was shouldering a $10 million infrastructure cost per annum. Huffman's comments resulted in a backlash from Selig and other developers, who refuted Reddit's claims of attempting to collaborate with them. They also questioned the company's decision-making process, asserting that they had been given no prior warning of the imminent API changes.

The protests continued throughout the month, with users finding new ways to express their discontent. Some subreddits extended their blackout periods, while others opted for alternative forms of protest, including posting pictures of John Oliver, designating designated blackout days, and changing the focus of their communities. In response to this, Reddit admins threatened to reopen subreddits, with many communities being forced to adapt their protest methods. In a further twist, Reddit removed moderators for communities such as r/interestingasfuck, r/midlyinteresting, and r/TIHI when they began marking their subreddits as NSFW, a status that restricts advertising revenue.

As the controversy continues to unfold, the future looks uncertain for Reddit. With a potential IPO on the horizon, the company appears to be focusing on achieving profitability, which could mean further changes to its API and pricing structures. Meanwhile, some communities are starting to migrate to alternative platforms like Kbin and Lemmy, although these remain relatively small in comparison to Reddit's user base. The overall impact of these changes on the Reddit ecosystem remains to be seen, but it is clear that they have created significant challenges for third-party developers and stirred unrest among users.