Reddit’s new API pricing isn’t only a threat to third-party apps: moderators and users fear that it could also translate to an unfavorable experience for them in the future. As such, different Reddit communities announced going dark on June 12. An open letter was also released recently, asking Reddit to make necessary considerations to help affected third-party apps.
Recently, the developer of third-party Reddit app Apollo expressed disappointment over Reddit’s API pricing, saying this could lead to the app’s shutdown. This, however, also extends to other Reddit applications, which will be massively affected by the hefty rates of the platform. Moderators and users said the future removal of these apps would negatively affect their platform experience, given the apps possess the tools and optimizations that help them in community moderation.
To protest, different communities won’t have any activities next week. In an “incomplete and growing list” shared on the platform, hundreds of subreddits will reportedly join the move, with some having more than 30 million users. Some of the subreddits on the list include r/aww, r/Music, r/Pics, r/DIY, r/EarthPorn, r/explainlikeimfive, r/LifeProTips, and r/videos.
The Moderator Coordination (r/ModCoord) subreddit also released an open letter to Reddit, explaining how the move will soon impact moderators and users in general. “Many of us rely on third-party apps to manage our communities effectively,” the letter reads. “Let’s just rip the band-aid right off: in many cases these apps offer superior mod tools, customization, streamlined interfaces, and other quality of life improvements that the official app does not offer. The potential loss of these services due to the pricing change would significantly impact our ability to moderate efficiently, thus negatively affecting the experience for users in our communities and for us as mods and users ourselves.”
The letter also voices other concerns on the platform, including making NSFW content unavailable via the API and reportedly a lack of transparent and consistent communication of Reddit to moderators when new features or changes are being rolled out. In the end, however, the letter underlined a plea specifically asking the company to consider making consideration for the third-party apps, which are on the verge of shutting down due to the API pricing.
“We urge Reddit’s management to reconsider the recent API pricing change, finding a compromise that allows third-party app developers to continue contributing to this platform’s success,” the letter, signed by different moderators and users, adds. “We ask for a solution that recognizes the vital role these third-party apps play and takes into consideration the negative impacts this decision might have on both users and moderators. A sustainable pricing model that encourages rather than discourages these apps’ growth and innovation will only strengthen the Reddit community.”
