Reddit Blackout Sees Majority of Site Offline

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Networkn
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#3090213 15-Jun-2023 09:59

A more effective protest would have been for moderators providing their time for free, to strike and refuse to moderate for say a month.

No chance Reddit can replace those roles in a reasonable timeframe. It would have 10x the impact of a 2-day user going dark situation.

MurrayM

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#3090216 15-Jun-2023 10:19

scuwp:

I didn't know other apps existed until this all flared up. Honestly, its been a much more peaceful and harmonious place since, I like it.

I'm not a heavy Reddit user and like you I didn't even know that there were third-party apps available. I mostly use desktop and only use the app occasionally.

Of the 26 sub-reddits that I follow only 1 has gone dark (actually they just switched to read-only mode so not fully dark): r/NintendoSwitch. I'm guessing the mods of the other sub-reddits that I follow don't care.

richms

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#3090345 15-Jun-2023 14:15

Well this is new on there

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michaelmurfy

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#3090390 15-Jun-2023 16:11

MurrayM: Of the 26 sub-reddits that I follow only 1 has gone dark (actually they just switched to read-only mode so not fully dark): r/NintendoSwitch. I'm guessing the mods of the other sub-reddits that I follow don't care.

Still so many restricted: https://reddark.untone.uk/

Many have gone dark for good and I'd say /r/newzealand will be one of them soon also. I don't think many will return unless if either Reddit backs down on the proposed API changes (but damage has been done here) or if Reddit basically force the old mods out and introduce new mods to these communities.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jun/14/reddit-moderators-vow-to-continue-blackout-in-api-access-fees-row

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Canuckabroad

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#3090413 15-Jun-2023 18:20

Time will tell regarding the NZ regional sub. During the user voting responses one of the r/nz mods suggested they aren't likely to go dark permanently, but there would be more detail provided when they've analysed the voting and come to some decisions - likely to happen tonight.

There is going to be an issue with a reduction in users if they can't continue to use their favourite apps - just how much it's hard to say...but even if all the subs gave in (and it's clear they aren't - the biggest dark subs are still dark) and resumed operations we'll see fewer users at the end of the month when their existing apps stop working.

michaelmurfy

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#3090490 15-Jun-2023 21:57

Looks like /r/newzealand are going dark for a few more days and also recruiting mods. Wife who is way more into Reddit than me has said she has noticed a lack of content lately - she’s really annoyed she has to give up Apollo soon.

MaxineN

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#3090536 15-Jun-2023 22:01

I wonder if this could spark a minor (keyword minor) return of forums.

Possible discussion point.

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Canuckabroad

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#3090549 15-Jun-2023 22:24

They also have additional language suggesting it would be a disservice to have the sub go dark permanently given it is genuinely quite useful to many - however Reddit execs are still waiting to see cracks in the resolve of subs before they consider compromises.

There are other subs from NZ, particularly the Auckland and Wellington city subs. During the last blackout I'm told r/Auckland became a bit toxic as it gathered everyone who was annoyed at the blackout.

loceff13

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#3090551 15-Jun-2023 22:39

A mere 582 people voted to remain closed on /r/newzealand(when theres over 1k active people on it right now) and that being the majority with 52.2% it will be 'dark' 12:00 16/06 to 12:00 18/06..

Handle9

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#3090560 16-Jun-2023 01:23

loceff13:
A mere 582 people voted to remain closed on /r/newzealand(when theres over 1k active people on it right now) and that being the majority with 52.2% it will be 'dark' 12:00 16/06 to 12:00 18/06..

A much smaller number (354) voted to keep it open.

An outright majority of people who did vote, voted to close the sub. The mods went with the majority who cared to vote.

Handle9

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#3090561 16-Jun-2023 01:24

MaxineN: I wonder if this could spark a minor (keyword minor) return of forums.

Possible discussion point.

It’s more likely to make a competitor platform more attractive than forums (like Geekzone.)

MurrayM

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#3090628 16-Jun-2023 09:40

michaelmurfy:

Still so many restricted: https://reddark.untone.uk/

I see that site says "5110/8829 subreddits are currently dark" which sounds like a large percentage, but Reddit's latest stats says "There are currently 3,125,000 total subreddits". I guess many of those 3 million subreddits aren't very active, or are private, but it still seems like only a small percentage of subreddits are participating. Like I said previously, only one of the subreddits that I follow participated, and now they've gone back to normal so this doesn't impact me at all.

Canuckabroad

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#3090630 16-Jun-2023 09:49

That site is only measuring the subreddits which stated they were participating in the protest. 60% of them are still dark - but there are an enormous number of subreddits in total (the vast majority of which have basically no users or activity).

Handsomedan

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#3090631 16-Jun-2023 09:50

MurrayM:

michaelmurfy:

Still so many restricted: https://reddark.untone.uk/

I see that site says "5110/8829 subreddits are currently dark" which sounds like a large percentage, but Reddit's latest stats says "There are currently 3,125,000 total subreddits". I guess many of those 3 million subreddits aren't very active, or are private, but it still seems like only a small percentage of subreddits are participating. Like I said previously, only one of the subreddits that I follow participated, and now they've gone back to normal so this doesn't impact me at all.

I moderate a subreddit and we don't use 3rd party apps or APIs for anything. We're a small niche sub and are happily chugging along with a few posts a day.
I have noticed a bit more traffic lately, but that's mainly because the larger subs are down and people are looking to consume whatever they can while doomscrolling.

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Canuckabroad

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#3090700 16-Jun-2023 12:20

https://www.macrumors.com/2023/06/15/reddit-threatens-to-remove-subreddit-moderators/

It appears some of the Reddit admins are starting to threaten they will remove and replace moderators who continue the protest, although as mentioned in the above this is contrary to what Huffman the CEO is claiming (that they won't force subs to re-open).

This might become more interesting before it ends. I'm sure the admins understand that those who are protesting because of Reddit's attitude and actions are only going to be more upset if they start cracking down on protests. In an extreme circumstance there could be a mod revolt (among some portion of subs - of course there will be many who just don't care) and a lot of those who are helping keep the site operational by volunteering by end up leaving or being forced out. They won't suddenly get a ton of replacement moderators who will do the same job as has been allowing to site to flourish, which means there will be ongoing impact if this happens.

Probably the main position of power that Reddit has is there isn't a waiting alternative for users to flock to, the way that Reddit benefited when Digg had a user revolt.

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