Recently, over 8,000 subreddits went dark for 48 hours in protest of Reddit’s forthcoming API changes. The protest aimed to draw attention to the concerns of moderators and users who contribute countless hours of their time to make Reddit the vibrant platform it is today. While the immediate effect of the protest was evident in a major outage experienced by Reddit, it was unclear how much impact it had on the website’s traffic. However, recent data provided by internet analytics firm Similarweb sheds light on the protest’s practical effect on Reddit’s daily visits and user engagement.
The Impact on Daily Visits
According to Similarweb, the protest had a small yet noticeable impact on Reddit’s daily visits. On the day prior to the blackout, Reddit recorded over 57 million daily visits across desktop and mobile web clients. However, by the end of the first day of the protest, this number dropped to below 55 million. On June 13th, Similarweb recorded fewer than 52 million daily visits, representing a 6.6 percent drop compared to Reddit’s average daily volume over the past month.
Decrease in User Engagement
In addition to the decrease in daily visits, Similarweb’s data also highlights a significant decrease in the amount of time users spent on the platform. On the day before the protest began, the average session duration on Reddit was approximately eight minutes and 31 seconds. However, a day later, this metric fell to seven minutes and 17 seconds, marking the lowest that statistic has been in the past three years.
The Significance of User Engagement
While a temporary drop in daily traffic may not significantly impact Reddit’s near-term prospects, the decrease in user engagement raises concerns for the platform’s long-term viability. Reddit’s success and appeal lie in the active participation of its users and the dedication of its moderators. If the platform continues to face protests and potential policy changes that strain its relationship with moderators, it could face a gradual decline in daily active users.
Implications for Reddit’s Future
As many subreddits continue to protest Reddit’s plans, the company’s leadership must carefully consider the potential consequences. A slow decline in daily active users could have long-lasting implications, especially as Reddit aims for an IPO in the future. The success of an IPO is often contingent on a company’s ability to demonstrate growth potential and maintain a strong user base. Any sustained decline in daily active users could undermine investor confidence and hinder Reddit’s growth prospects.
The Importance of Addressing User Concerns
In light of these developments, it is crucial for Reddit’s leadership to take the concerns of its users and moderators seriously. While CEO Steve Huffman’s comments attempted to downplay the protesters’ grievances, it is clear that these concerns cannot be dismissed as mere dissatisfaction with a loss of free services. Reddit’s success relies on the dedication and passion of its user community, and a failure to address their concerns could lead to further discontent and a continued decline in engagement.
The recent protest by over 8,000 subreddits against Reddit’s API changes has had a noticeable impact on the platform’s daily visits and user engagement. While the immediate consequences may not be significant, the long-term implications for Reddit’s growth and future IPO plans are concerning. It is imperative that Reddit’s leadership engages with users and moderators, addresses their concerns, and works towards finding a solution that preserves the platform’s vibrant community. Failure to do so could result in a gradual decline in daily active users and hinder Reddit’s prospects in the competitive social media landscape.
