Reddit allows developers to create applications that access Reddit’s data and functions through the API.
However, Reddit has recently announced that it will change its API pricing, making it more expensive and restrictive.
So, what may the future of Reddit and the Internet look like after the changes take effect?
This article will explore why Reddit changes its pricing and how users and developers react.
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Is Reddit API Down Right Now?
According to the official Reddit status page, the API of Reddit is operational.
It has not experienced major outages or incidents in the past 90 days.
However, some users may experience occasional errors or delays when using the API, especially after the recent changes to the API pricing.
You can check the current status of the Reddit API on the official Reddit Status Page.
Reddit’s API Changes And Their Impact On Traffic
Reddit, the popular online platform where users can create and join communities, and share content, has changed its API pricing from July 1, 2023.
Developers use the API (application programming interface) to create apps allowing users to access Reddit differently.
Furthermore, many third-party apps like Apollo, Narwhal, Infinity and Relay are becoming more popular than Reddit.
However, these apps rely on Reddit’s API to function, and the new pricing will make it very expensive for them to continue.
According to Reddit’s announcement, the new pricing will be $12,000 per 50 million API requests.
The new pricing will also prohibit third-party apps from displaying ads, which is one of the primary sources of revenue.
As a result of these changes, many third-party apps have announced that they will either shut down or shift to subscription models to afford the new API costs.
Furthermore, these changes are impacting the third-party ecosystem and eventually leading to a Reddit usage drop of users.
The API change has also impacted Reddit traffic; user traffic decreased in the first few days.
However, according to SimilarWeb, the Reddit traffic returns to normal after some API protests.
How Did People React To The API Changes?
The announcement of Reddit’s API changes has sparked backlash and criticism from users and developers.
One of the most visible forms of protest was the blackout of thousands of subreddits called Reddark.
Another form of protest was posting NSFW (not safe for work) content on several innocent subreddits.
Furthermore, some users expressed dissatisfaction and said they would switch to alternative platforms.
The developers of third-party apps also expressed their sadness and regret over having to shut down or change their apps.
In addition, many users prefer third-party apps over Reddit to access the official app, which may harm Reddit’s ecosystem.
Moreover, this might be the reason for the increase in API pricing of Reddit in the first place.
The Bottom Line
The Reddit API is a valuable resource for developers and users who want to create and use applications that interact with Reddit differently.
However, the recent changes to API pricing have raised many concerns and complaints from the third-party app community.
Furthermore, the changes have also sparked various forms of protest and dissent from users and developers.
