Reddit blackout: Here’s why thousands of subreddits are going dark?

Reddit Says It Won't Back Down , Despite Ongoing Protests , Over API Changes. The Verge reports that thousands of subreddits have continued a 48-hour blackout, extending a protest over proposed changes to the platform's API. As many as 5,000 subreddits are still dark, including some of the site's most popular communities. Earlier this week, the protests began over Reddit's plans to change the site's API, particularly by instating fees, which drove many third-party apps to shut down. Earlier this week, the protests began over Reddit's plans to change the site's API, particularly by instating fees, which drove many third-party apps to shut down. Other proposed changes being protested include Reddit's communication with users and how the site handles mature content. Other proposed changes being protested include Reddit's communication with users and how the site handles mature content. Initially, over 8,000 subreddits were reportedly participating in the protest. . The Verge reports that the proposed changes are part of Reddit's push to make the site profitable before an expected IPO later in 2023. The Verge reports that the proposed changes are part of Reddit's push to make the site profitable before an expected IPO later in 2023. Two things happened at the same time: the LLM explosion put all Reddit data use at the forefront, and our continuing efforts to reign in costs to make Reddit self- sustaining put a spotlight on the tens of millions of dollars it costs us annually to support the [third-party] apps. , Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO, via The Verge. Two things happened at the same time: the LLM explosion put all Reddit data use at the forefront, and our continuing efforts to reign in costs to make Reddit self- sustaining put a spotlight on the tens of millions of dollars it costs us annually to support the [third-party] apps. , Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO, via The Verge. We’ll continue to be profit-driven until profits arrive. , Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO, via The Verge. Despite protests, Reddit has reportedly said it will not back down from moving forward with the proposed changes. We spend multimillions of dollars on hosting fees and Reddit needs to be fairly paid to continue supporting high-usage third-party apps, Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO, via The Verge. We spend multimillions of dollars on hosting fees and Reddit needs to be fairly paid to continue supporting high-usage third-party apps, Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO, via The Verge