Protests and Traffic on Reddit: Update Subreddits and Return of Visitors
Subreddit protests against Reddit’s plans to pay access to its API for third-party companies are still ongoing, but the platform’s traffic is gradually returning to its previous level, PCMag writes, citing statistics from similarweb analytics firm.
Growth in visits and changing user behavior
According to SimilarWeb, on June 18 and 19, the number of visits to Reddit by users reached 56 million, while on the second day of the strike, June 13, it was 52 million. Also in recent days, the average time spent by users on Reddit has increased to more than eight minutes – in the first the day of the protests, it sank to its lowest level in three years at 7 minutes 17 seconds.
Continued protest and platform fight
After the 48-hour shutdown, many subreddits planned to continue the protest, either by remaining private or using new methods of counteraction, including the publication of NSFW content (Not Safe For Life) prohibited by the rules of the social network, that is, showing nudity, containing profanity, etc. . to undermine Reddit’s advertising revenue. The platform has taken drastic steps against the protests, going as far as firing entire teams of volunteer moderators for allowing inappropriate content to be posted on their subreddits.
Incessant protest and diversity of approaches
Despite the repression, some subreddits and volunteer moderators continue their protest, notes NIXSolutions. According to one tracking service, about 2,600 subreddits remain inaccessible. However, some moderators are trying to use other forms of protest, while respecting the rules of the platform.