2023 Reddit API controversy

{{Short description|Protests against Reddit's API-access prices}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}{{Infobox event

| partof = the controversies of Reddit

| image = Reddit is killing third-party applications.svg

| caption = An image posted on many subreddits as protest during the blackout

| date = {{start and end dates|2023|4|18|2023|7|21}}

| type = Controversy

| cause = Addition of charges for the Reddit API

| participants = 7,000+ subreddits in blackout

| outcome = Mass migration of subreddits to alternative platforms

}}

In April 2023, the discussion and news aggregation website Reddit announced its intentions to charge for its application programming interface (API), a feature which had been free since 2008, causing a dispute. The move forced multiple third-party applications to shut down and threatened accessibility applications and moderation tools.

On May 31, Apollo developer Christian Selig stated that Reddit's pricing would force him to cease development on the app. The resulting outcry from the Reddit community ultimately led to a planned protest, from June 12 to 14 in which moderators for the site would make their communities private{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Sara |date=2023-06-14 |title=The ongoing and increasingly weird Reddit blackout, explained |url=https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/6/14/23760738/reddit-blackout-explained-subreddit-apollo-third-party-apps |access-date=2024-02-09 |website=Vox |language=en |archive-date=2024-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241002200458/https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/6/14/23760738/reddit-blackout-explained-subreddit-apollo-third-party-apps |url-status=live }} or would restrict posting. Following the release of an internal memo from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and defiance from Reddit, some moderators continued their protest.{{Cite web |last=Serrano |first=Jody |date=June 14, 2023 |title=Subreddits Planning Indefinite Blackout After Reddit CEO's Memo Leaks |url=https://gizmodo.com/subreddits-are-planning-an-indefinite-blackout-in-respo-1850537972 |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Gizmodo |language=en |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614223940/https://gizmodo.com/subreddits-are-planning-an-indefinite-blackout-in-respo-1850537972 |url-status=live }}

Alternate forms of protest emerged in the days following the initial blackout. Upon reopening, users of r/pics, r/gifs, and r/aww voted to exclusively post about comedian John Oliver. Multiple subreddits labeled themselves as not safe for work (NSFW), affecting Reddit's advertisements. In response, administrators removed the entire moderation team of some subreddits. A Reddit spokesperson said the removals were due to a violation of Reddit's Content Policy and Moderator Code of Conduct, which prohibits moderators from incorrectly marking a community as NSFW. Several moderation teams were eventually reinstated.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767848/reddit-blackout-api-protest-moderators-suspended-nsfw |title=Reddit removed moderators behind the latest protests before restoring a few of them |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=June 20, 2023 |website=The Verge |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230621010057/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767848/reddit-blackout-api-protest-moderators-suspended-nsfw |url-status=live |access-date= October 2, 2023}} The protest has been compared to a strike. The third iteration of r/place was covered with various messages attacking Huffman, including the final result.

Background

Reddit is a news aggregation and discussion website. Posts are organized into "subreddits", individualized user-created boards moderated by users.{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/11/30/reddit-will-limit-the-reach-of-a-pro-trump-board-and-crack-down-on-its-most-toxic-users/ |title=Reddit will limit the reach of a pro-Trump board and crack down on its 'most toxic users' |date=November 30, 2016 |last=Ohlheiser |first=Abby |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114114339/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/11/30/reddit-will-limit-the-reach-of-a-pro-trump-board-and-crack-down-on-its-most-toxic-users/ |url-status=live }} In 2008, Reddit introduced its application programming interface (API), granting developers access to the site's corpus of posts and comments. Developers have used Reddit's free API to develop moderation tools and third-party applications; the API has also been used to train large language models (LLMs), including ChatGPT and Google's chatbot Gemini.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |title=Reddit's upcoming API changes will make AI companies pony up |date=April 18, 2023 |last=Shakir |first=Umar |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614020642/https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/18/23688463/reddit-developer-api-terms-change-monetization-ai |url-status=live }}

Subreddit moderators have leveraged their subreddits en masse in the past to protest decisions that Reddit has made. In the self-described "Great Reddit Blackout of 2015", users publicly disagreed with the company over the termination of Victoria Taylor, a Reddit employee who held Ask Me Anythings (AMAs) and was vital to r/IAmA.{{Cite web |url=https://www.snopes.com/news/2015/07/03/reddit-blackout-2015/ |title=Great Reddit Blackout of 2015 (aka AMAgeddon) |date=July 3, 2015 |last=LaCapria |first=Kim |work=Snopes |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621200103/https://www.snopes.com/news/2015/07/03/reddit-blackout-2015/ |url-status=live }} In 2021, Reddit hired Aimee Knight, whose father, David Challenor, was convicted earlier that year for raping and torturing a 10-year-old child, resulting in another blackout.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348255/reddit-moderator-blackout-protest-aimee-knight-uk-green-party |title=Major subreddits are going dark to protest Reddit allegedly hiring a controversial UK politician |date=March 24, 2021 |last=Robertson |first=Adi |work=The Verge |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210325092301/https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/24/22348255/reddit-moderator-blackout-protest-aimee-knight-uk-green-party |url-status=live }}

API changes

File:Web Summit 2017 - Centre Stage Day 2 CG1 7885 (38232183112) (cropped).jpg, Reddit's CEO|alt=refer to caption]]

On April 18, 2023, Reddit announced it would charge for its API service amid a potential initial public offering. Speaking to The New York Times{{'}} Mike Isaac, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said, "The Reddit corpus of data is really valuable, but we don't need to give all of that value to some of the largest companies in the world for free". In spite of those changes, Huffman said that the API would continue to be available for free for developers who create moderation tools or researchers who use Reddit's data for academic purposes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/technology/reddit-ai-openai-google.html |title=Reddit Wants to Get Paid for Helping to Teach Big A.I. Systems |date=April 18, 2023 |last=Isaac |first=Mike |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613224212/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/technology/reddit-ai-openai-google.html |url-status=live }} Announcing the changes, Reddit stated that the Reddit data aggregation site Pushshift—whose service was used by LLMs—violated its API rules; the company also said it would restrict access to adult content.{{Cite web |last=Koebler |first=Jason |date=2023-06-14 |title=The Reddit Protest Is a Battle for the Soul of the Human Internet |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-reddit-protest-is-a-battle-for-the-soul-of-the-human-internet/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Vice News |language=en |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616164313/https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5yykm/the-reddit-protest-is-a-battle-for-the-soul-of-the-human-internet |url-status=live }}

Quoting their explanation of a previous protest that complained about how Reddit made major changes to the site without “any apparent care” to how it would affect moderators, the moderators of r/IAmA stated they would no longer solicit AMAs from notable figures.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/1/23781306/reddit-moderators-iama-celebrity-ama |title=The Reddit moderators who coordinate many celebrity AMAs will no longer do so |date=July 1, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701211927/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/1/23781306/reddit-moderators-iama-celebrity-ama |url-status=live }} Because the third-party apps they previously used to moderate their subreddit would no longer work, and criticizing Reddit’s lack of response on making the official app accessible, the moderators of r/Blind stated that they could no longer moderate on mobile.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/1/23781394/r-blind-mods-are-very-unhappy-with-the-state-of-reddits-mobile-mod-tools-right-now |title=r/Blind mods are VERY unhappy with the state of Reddit's mobile mod tools right now. |date=July 1, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701213158/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/1/23781394/r-blind-mods-are-very-unhappy-with-the-state-of-reddits-mobile-mod-tools-right-now |url-status=live }}

=Impact on third-party applications=

On May 31, Christian Selig, the developer of the third-party Reddit client Apollo, said that he was quoted {{USD|12,000}} for 50 million requests and could be forced to pay {{USD|20}} million per year in order to continue to operate. Selig stated that he could not pay Reddit's pricing and was unsure of how to even charge it. Speaking to The Verge, he posed that Reddit's pricing could present an existential risk for Reddit clients such as Rif Is Fun for Reddit (RIF) and Relay.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/31/23743993/reddit-apollo-client-api-cost |title=A developer says Reddit could charge him $20 million a year to keep his app working |date=May 31, 2023 |last=Roth |first=Emma |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616232206/https://www.theverge.com/2023/5/31/23743993/reddit-apollo-client-api-cost |url-status=live }}

On June 8, Selig announced that he would shut down Apollo on June 30. In a Reddit post, he alleged that Huffman told employees that Selig was blackmailing the company out of {{USD|10}} million; Selig provided audio recordings between himself and a Reddit employee disproving the claim.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=June 8, 2023 |title=Apollo for Reddit is shutting down |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/8/23754183/apollo-reddit-app-shutting-down-api |access-date=June 11, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614002523/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/8/23754183/apollo-reddit-app-shutting-down-api |url-status=live }} His announcement was accompanied by other similar statements, including from RIF developer Andrew Shu, who cited Reddit's "hostile treatment of developers building on their platform" and a high API cost. Other third-party Reddit apps, such as Sync for Reddit and ReddPlanet, have also announced that they will shut down.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-06-08 |title=It's not just Apollo: other Reddit apps are shutting down, too |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/8/23754616/reddit-third-party-apps-api-shutdown-rif-reddplanet-sync |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618141839/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/8/23754616/reddit-third-party-apps-api-shutdown-rif-reddplanet-sync |url-status=live }}

Amid concerns that these applications could no longer work, Reddit responded by stating that it would give "non-commercial, accessibility-focused" apps an exception from their pricing terms. A moderator of r/Blind contended that they had received no clarification from Reddit about how it would be defining "accessibility-focused apps". Several third-party applications with extensive accessibility features were later confirmed to be given an exemption as "non-commercial accessibility-focused" applications.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=June 7, 2023 |title=Reddit will exempt accessibility-focused apps from its unpopular API pricing changes |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/7/23752804/reddit-exempt-accessibility-apps-api-pricing-changes |access-date=June 8, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613232547/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/7/23752804/reddit-exempt-accessibility-apps-api-pricing-changes |url-status=live }} RedReader and Dystopia have received exemptions.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=S.E. |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Why disabled users joined the Reddit blackout |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759761/reddit-disability-accessibility-blackout-api-blind |access-date=June 21, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621181035/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759761/reddit-disability-accessibility-blackout-api-blind |url-status=live }} Additionally, Huffman provided an exemption for "third-party moderation [tools]"; former Ars Technica writer and moderator of a ZFS subreddit Jim Salter wrote to the publication that he does not know of "anyone at all" using such a client.{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/06/reddit-mods-allowed-porn-as-protest-the-company-nuked-their-mod-badges/ |title=After porn-y protest, Reddit ousted mods; replacing them isn't simple |date=June 21, 2023 |last=Harding |first=Scharon |work=Ars Technica |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621230714/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/06/reddit-mods-allowed-porn-as-protest-the-company-nuked-their-mod-badges/ |url-status=live }}

On June 30, Reddit's proposed changes went into effect, shutting down some third-party Reddit clients, including Apollo, Sync, BaconReader{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/30/23779519/reddit-third-party-app-shut-down-apollo-sync-baconreader-api-protest |title=The Reddit app-pocalyse is here: Apollo, Sync, and BaconReader go dark |date=June 30, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630235611/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/30/23779519/reddit-third-party-app-shut-down-apollo-sync-baconreader-api-protest |url-status=live }} and RIF.{{Cite web |url=https://mashable.com/article/reddit-third-party-apps-shutting-down-apollo-relay-baconreader |title=Reddit bids farewell to third-party apps like Apollo, BaconReader |date=July 2, 2023 |last=Edwards |first=Belen |work=Mashable |access-date=July 4, 2023 |archive-date=July 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703155611/https://mashable.com/article/reddit-third-party-apps-shutting-down-apollo-relay-baconreader |url-status=live }} In spite of this, Narwhal will remain available without ads,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/29/23777992/reddit-third-party-ios-app-narwhal |title=At least one big third-party Reddit iOS app will live on |date=June 29, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630160340/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/29/23777992/reddit-third-party-ios-app-narwhal |url-status=live }} while Relay and Now for Reddit turned to a subscription model to remain profitable.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/30/23780407/reddit-third-party-apps-relay-now-nara-api-changes |title=More Reddit developers announce their apps will switch to a subscription model |date=June 30, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 1, 2023 |archive-date=June 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630235130/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/30/23780407/reddit-third-party-apps-relay-now-nara-api-changes |url-status=live }}

=Reddit's reactions=

Huffman addressed several of the announced changes to the API service in an Ask Me Anything (AMA). Concerning the changes for third-party apps, he said Reddit could "no longer subsidize commercial entities that require large-scale data use." He went on to say that Reddit would work to make its mobile app more accessible.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2023-06-09 |title=Reddit won't budge on the API changes that are shutting down apps like Apollo |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23755640/reddit-api-changes-apps-apollo-shut-down-ama-spez-steve-huffman |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609190704/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23755640/reddit-api-changes-apps-apollo-shut-down-ama-spez-steve-huffman |url-status=live }} Although Huffman claimed Reddit was actively in communication with many third-party application developers to aid in their continued operation, some developers commented that Reddit had not responded to them in months.{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Karissa |title=Reddit CEO Steve Huffman defends API changes in AMA |url=https://www.engadget.com/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-defends-api-changes-in-ama-202924631.html |access-date=June 9, 2023 |website=Engadget |date=June 9, 2023 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230612222253/https://www.engadget.com/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-defends-api-changes-in-ama-202924631.html |url-status=live }}

Tim Rathschmidt, a spokesperson for Reddit, told The New York Times that Reddit was in contact with communities to "clarify any confusion around our Data API Terms, platform-wide policies, community support resources, and timing for new moderator tools." He added that Reddit "needs to be fairly paid to continue supporting high-usage third-party apps", noting that the new API pricing "is based on usage levels that we measure to be comparable to our own costs".{{Cite news |last=Levenson |first=Michael |date=June 12, 2023 |title=Reddit Communities Go Dark to Protest New App Policy |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/business/media/reddit-subreddit-blackout-protest.html |access-date=June 13, 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613004458/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/business/media/reddit-subreddit-blackout-protest.html |url-status=live }} Rathschmidt also stated that Reddit's hosting costs were in the multi-millions.{{Cite web |last=Klar |first=Rebecca |date=2023-06-12 |title=Parts of Reddit 'going dark' in protest of developer fees |url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4045842-parts-of-reddit-going-dark-in-protest-of-developer-fees/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626111207/https://thehill.com/policy/technology/4045842-parts-of-reddit-going-dark-in-protest-of-developer-fees/ |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=The Hill |language=en-US |quote="“Expansive access to data has impact and costs involved; we spend multi-millions of dollars on hosting fees and Reddit needs to be fairly paid to continue supporting high-usage third-party apps. Our pricing is based on usage levels that we measure to be comparable to our own costs,” Rathschmidt wrote in an email summarizing what was shared with the community of developers."}}

Subreddit blackout

In response to Reddit's API changes, multiple subreddits announced that they would be shutting down from June 12 to June 14.{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Major Reddit communities will go dark to protest threat to third-party apps |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23749188/reddit-subreddit-private-protest-api-changes-apollo-charges |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=The Verge |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617041452/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23749188/reddit-subreddit-private-protest-api-changes-apollo-charges |url-status=live }} Huffman's AMA resulted in some subreddits, including r/polls, going private ahead of the June 12 protest.{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=June 10, 2023 |title=Some subreddits are already going dark |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23756034/some-subreddits-are-already-going-dark |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=The Verge |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617050548/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23756034/some-subreddits-are-already-going-dark |url-status=live }} The moderators of r/iPhone and r/Music decided to go private indefinitely beginning on June 12.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/10/23756476/reddit-protest-api-changes-apollo-third-party-apps |title=Thousands of subreddits pledge to go dark after the Reddit CEO's recent remarks |date=June 10, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617040257/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/10/23756476/reddit-protest-api-changes-apollo-third-party-apps |url-status=live }} Some communities proposed moving to the messaging service Discord or the Lemmy network of instances in the fediverse.{{Cite web |url=https://fortune.com/2023/06/15/twitters-inability-to-pay-its-rent-is-more-urgent-than-building-twitter-2-0/ |title=Twitter's inability to pay its rent is more urgent than building 'Twitter 2.0' |date=June 15, 2023 |last=Meyer |first=David |work=Fortune |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622195159/https://fortune.com/2023/06/15/twitters-inability-to-pay-its-rent-is-more-urgent-than-building-twitter-2-0/ |url-status=live }} Efforts to promote fediverse-based alternatives were marred with paranoia after Reddit banned users and subreddits related to Lemmy and Kbin.{{Cite web |url=https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/06/what-reddit-got-wrong |title=What Reddit Got Wrong |date=June 13, 2023 |last=Mir |first=Rory |publisher=Electronic Frontier Foundation |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622025219/https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/06/what-reddit-got-wrong |url-status=live }}

On June 12, over 7,000 subreddits went private, including Reddit's largest subreddit, r/funny. Other large subreddits that chose to go private include r/aww, r/gaming, and r/science. Some subreddits, such as r/NintendoSwitch, r/Frugal, and r/StarWars, opted to restrict new posts. r/DankMemes only allowed users to post memes relating to the API changes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/12/23755974/reddit-subreddits-going-dark-private-protest-api-changes |title=More than 7,000 subreddits have gone dark to protest Reddit's API changes |date=June 12, 2023 |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |last2=Porter |first2=Jon |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617040158/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/12/23755974/reddit-subreddits-going-dark-private-protest-api-changes |url-status=live }} At approximately 10:58 a.m. Eastern Time, Reddit was affected by a major outage caused by "expected stability issues" due to the large number of subreddits going private. The outage was resolved hours later.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/12/23758002/reddit-crashing-api-protest-subreddit-private-going-dark |title=Reddit crashed because of the growing subreddit blackout |date=June 12, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617041449/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/12/23758002/reddit-crashing-api-protest-subreddit-private-going-dark |url-status=live }} An estimated 8,500 subreddits had gone private or restricted by June 13. Subreddits continued to protest through June 15, while subreddits like r/pics and r/art became restricted. On June 13, The Verge published an internal memo in which Huffman told employees that the protest "will pass".{{Cite web |last1=Soto |first1=Mia |last2=Peters |first2=Jay |date=June 13, 2023 |title=Reddit CEO tells employees that subreddit blackout 'will pass' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759559/reddit-internal-memo-api-pricing-changes-steve-huffman |access-date=June 17, 2023 |work=The Verge |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616232146/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759559/reddit-internal-memo-api-pricing-changes-steve-huffman |url-status=live }} During the initial protests, some subreddits considered staying private indefinitely, including r/aww, r/music and r/videos, which continued to stay private. r/nba tweeted that it would stay private "indefinitely"; the decision to go private coincided with the final game of the 2023 NBA Finals.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759674/reddit-mods-blackout-protest-extended-indefinitely |title=Reddit communities with millions of followers plan to extend the blackout indefinitely |date=June 13, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617040200/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759674/reddit-mods-blackout-protest-extended-indefinitely |url-status=live }} Similarly, r/philadelphia went private following the collapse of a portion of Interstate 95 in Pennsylvania, leading to angry comments from users and requests to reopen.{{Cite web |url=https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-reddit-blackou-protest-api-i95-collapse-20230621.html |title=The moderators of Philly's largest subreddit wanted to protest a new policy. Then I-95 collapsed. |date=June 21, 2023 |last=Forman |first=Beatrice |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621223339/https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-reddit-blackou-protest-api-i95-collapse-20230621.html |url-status=live }} Huffman's internal memo became the primary motivation for more than 5,000 subreddits to continue their blackout indefinitely.{{Cite web |last=Pequeño |first=Antonio |title=Reddit Blackout Rolls On For More Than 5,000 Subreddits Past Planned End Date—Some Of Which Plan To Stay Dark Indefinitely |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/06/15/reddit-blackout-rolls-on-for-more-than-5000-subreddits-past-planned-end-date-some-of-which-plan-to-stay-dark-indefinitely/ |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615192017/https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/06/15/reddit-blackout-rolls-on-for-more-than-5000-subreddits-past-planned-end-date-some-of-which-plan-to-stay-dark-indefinitely/ |url-status=live }}

On June 15, in the first interview since the blackout began, Huffman told NPR that a "small group" is "very upset". He reiterated that the blackout did not have effects on revenue but "created a fair amount of trouble".{{Cite web |last1=Allyn |first1=Bobby |last2=Inskeep |first2=Steve |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Reddit CEO Steve Huffman: 'It's time we grow up and behave like an adult company' |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/06/15/1182457366/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-its-time-we-grow-up-and-behave-like-an-adult-company |access-date=June 15, 2023 |website=NPR |archive-date=June 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615215750/https://www.npr.org/2023/06/15/1182457366/reddit-ceo-steve-huffman-its-time-we-grow-up-and-behave-like-an-adult-company |url-status=live }} Speaking to NBC News, he compared moderators to a landed gentry and said that he would be looking into implementing a democratic process to let users vote moderators out.{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=David |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Reddit CEO slams protest leaders, saying he'll change rules that favor 'landed gentry' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/reddit-protest-blackout-ceo-steve-huffman-moderators-rcna89544 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616230234/https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/reddit-protest-blackout-ceo-steve-huffman-moderators-rcna89544 |url-status=live }} On June 16, The Verge obtained a note Reddit sent to moderators of subreddits that were still private with offers to help remove moderators "hindering reopening", telling the publication that they wanted "mods who want to mod to be able to do so." A Reddit administrator commented that if the moderators' decision to keep the subreddit private was unanimous, Reddit would replace them with a new team of moderators. Reddit spokesperson Rathschmidt later confirmed that moderators may be in violation of Reddit's code of conduct for keeping communities private. Fearing they would be replaced, many moderation teams, such as r/Apple's, reopened their subreddits.{{Cite web |last1=Peters |first1=Jay |last2=Sato |first2=Mia |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Here's the note Reddit sent to moderators threatening them if they don't reopen |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/16/23763538/reddit-blackout-api-protest-mod-replacement-threat |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=The Verge |language=en-US |archive-date=June 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616162248/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/16/23763538/reddit-blackout-api-protest-mod-replacement-threat |url-status=live }} According to the Associated Press, around 4,000 subreddits were still private by June 16.{{Cite web |last=Grantham-Philips |first=Wyatte |date=2023-06-16 |title=Despite widespread protest, Reddit CEO says company is 'not negotiating' on 3rd-party app charges |url=https://apnews.com/article/reddit-blackout-steve-huffman-ceo-api-0a4f7b344ecfbf50c924b030c344c55e |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Associated Press |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619030710/https://apnews.com/article/reddit-blackout-steve-huffman-ceo-api-0a4f7b344ecfbf50c924b030c344c55e |url-status=live }}

Speaking to Axios{{'}} Kerry Flynn, Reddit COO Jen Wong said that Reddit "respects [users's] right to protest".{{Cite web |url=https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2023/06/22/reddit-blackout-api-changes |title=Reddit COO responds to 48-hour blackout |date=June 22, 2023 |last=Flynn |first=Kerry |work=Axios |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622195159/https://www.axios.com/pro/media-deals/2023/06/22/reddit-blackout-api-changes |url-status=live }} On June 22, Reddit began pressuring subreddits that continued their blackout to reopen, according to a message released publicly by an r/DIY moderator. Out of fear that Reddit may install new moderators, r/DIY reopened.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/22/23770480/reddit-blackout-protest-pressure-mods-change-rules |title=Reddit pressures mods to end the blackout as they find new ways to protest |date=June 22, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623020837/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/22/23770480/reddit-blackout-protest-pressure-mods-change-rules |url-status=live }} r/TranscribersOfReddit, a subreddit that provides alternate text for images posted to Reddit, announced it would shut down on June 30.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/23/23771396/reddit-subreddit-community-transcribers-accessibility |title=Reddit is about to get a little less accessible |date=June 23, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-date=June 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623175032/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/23/23771396/reddit-subreddit-community-transcribers-accessibility |url-status=live }}

Other activities

=Alternate forms of protest=

File:John Oliver November 2016.jpg upon reopening.|alt=Photograph of John Oliver]]

On June 17, r/pics and r/gifs reopened with a poll on whether their respective subreddits should be used to exclusively post about comedian John Oliver. Oliver tweeted his approval and provided pictures for users of r/pics to use. r/aww opened its subreddit a day later, only allowing "adorable content featuring John Oliver, Chiijohn, and anything else that closely resembles them".{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/17/23764729/reddit-users-pics-gifs-subreddits-john-oliver |title=Two of the biggest Reddit communities reopened in the funniest way possible |date=June 17, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617205723/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/17/23764729/reddit-users-pics-gifs-subreddits-john-oliver |url-status=live }} Similarly, r/iPhone began posting images of Apple CEO Tim Cook.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65949412 |title=Why is Reddit full of pictures of John Oliver? |date=June 19, 2023 |last=Gerken |first=Tom |publisher=BBC |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621210436/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65949412 |url-status=live }} r/horny became a subreddit for posting about Christianity and Minecraft (2009).{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Jyoti |title=A NSFW Reddit community is now posting photos of goats in protest of its pricing changes |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/nsfw-reddit-community-now-christian-minecraft-server-new-protest-2023-6 |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619022540/https://www.businessinsider.com/nsfw-reddit-community-now-christian-minecraft-server-new-protest-2023-6 |url-status=live }} The subreddits r/malefashionadvice and r/femalefashionadvice became subreddits for fashion advice relating to the 1700s, with one post on the latter referencing the character of Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice (1813).{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/22/23770056/reddit-fashion-advice-subreddits-female-male-protest |title=Fashion advice subreddits are turning back the clock to protest Reddit |date=June 22, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622192638/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/22/23770056/reddit-fashion-advice-subreddits-female-male-protest |url-status=live }} r/steam, a subreddit for the video game distribution service Steam, began posting about literal steam.{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-subreddit-protests-reddits-new-api-rules-by-posting-about-literal-steam |title=Steam Subreddit Protests Reddit's New API Rules by Posting About Literal Steam |date=June 20, 2023 |last=Alexander |first=Cristina |work=IGN |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622011711/https://www.ign.com/articles/steam-subreddit-protests-reddits-new-api-rules-by-posting-about-literal-steam |url-status=live }}

As a form of protest, multiple subreddits began allowing not safe for work (NSFW) content, resulting in an influx of pornography onto some subreddits, such as r/interestingasfuck. The NSFW label prevents companies from running advertisements on these subreddits.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767098/reddit-subreddits-porn-protest |title=Some subreddits are now filled with porn to protest Reddit |date=June 20, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-date=June 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230620173652/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/20/23767098/reddit-subreddits-porn-protest |url-status=live }} On June 20, Reddit began removing moderators who labeled their communities as NSFW. The move, in accordance with Reddit's policies, left r/MildlyInteresting, r/interestingasfuck, r/TIHI, and r/ShittyLifeProTips—subreddits with millions of subscribers—unmoderated. Conversely, r/PoliticalHumor gave all users moderator permissions, referring to Huffman's "landed gentry" comment.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/21/23769111/thats-one-way-to-protest |title=That's one way to protest. |date=June 21, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621220154/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/21/23769111/thats-one-way-to-protest |url-status=live }} Moderators of r/scams have begun approving content at a deliberately slow pace; in some circumstances, up to two weeks. BotDefense, a crowd-sourced community effort to remove bots on Reddit, left the site in July.{{Cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/reddit-mods-fear-spam-overload-as-botdefense-leaves-antagonistic-reddit/ |title=Reddit mods fear spam overload as BotDefense leaves "antagonistic" Reddit |date=July 7, 2023 |last=Harding |first=Scharon |work=Ars Technica |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709075736/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/reddit-mods-fear-spam-overload-as-botdefense-leaves-antagonistic-reddit/ |url-status=live }}

File:Fuck spez.png to voice their discontent with Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.]]

On July 20, Reddit began its third iteration of r/place, an interactive canvas in which users can only place one pixel every five minutes, announcing it one day earlier. Normally, r/place takes place every five years since April 1, 2017. Users organized to create a subreddit to protest the API on the canvas,{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/19/23801124/theres-already-a-subreddit-to-plan-r-place-protest-art |title=There's already a subreddit to plan r/Place protest art. |date=July 19, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730180536/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/19/23801124/theres-already-a-subreddit-to-plan-r-place-protest-art |url-status=live }} and numerous messages of "Fuck spez"—referring to Huffman's Reddit username—were written. Additionally, German users wrote, "{{lang|de|spez ist ein Hurensohn}}" (spez is a son of a bitch).{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/20/23801716/reddits-r-place-protest-art |title=Reddit's r/Place is going about as well as expected |date=July 20, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-date=July 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230720171827/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/20/23801716/reddits-r-place-protest-art |url-status=live }} The canvas was expanded two days later, leading to more messages critical of Huffman, although they were largely overwritten in favor of art.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/21/23803112/reddit-r-place-canvas-expand-protest-messages-cursing-ceo |title=Reddit expanded the r/Place canvas, and users immediately wrote messages cursing the CEO |date=July 22, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=August 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818205718/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/21/23803112/reddit-r-place-canvas-expand-protest-messages-cursing-ceo |url-status=live }} On the final day of r/place, users wrote, "Fuck Spez", in all caps, comprising most of the canvas.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/25/23807600/r-place-users-are-leaving-one-final-message |title=r/Place users are leaving one final message. |date=July 25, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730180535/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/25/23807600/r-place-users-are-leaving-one-final-message |url-status=live }}

On July 21, participants on r/place, collectively generated a visual representation featuring a guillotine. This depiction included the likeness of the Reddit mascot, Snoo, positioned atop the guillotine's block, with the name "spez" inscribed on it.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Barry |title=Reddit Protests Escalate As Rebel Mods Are Kicked Out |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2023/07/21/reddit-protests-escalate-as-rebel-mods-are-kicked-out/ |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108030224/https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2023/07/21/reddit-protests-escalate-as-rebel-mods-are-kicked-out/ |url-status=live }}

=Data hack=

The ransomware group BlackCat threatened to release 80 gigabytes of data if Reddit does not pay {{USD|4.5}} million and undo the API changes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/19/23765895/reddit-hack-phishing-leak-api-pricing-steve-huffman |title=Reddit hackers demand $4.5 million ransom and API pricing changes |date=June 19, 2023 |last=Sato |first=Mia |work=The Verge |access-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619151441/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/19/23765895/reddit-hack-phishing-leak-api-pricing-steve-huffman |url-status=live }} Reddit had previously confirmed a security incident that took place in February which compromised "internal documents, code, and some internal business systems." A spokesperson confirmed that BlackCat is related to that February incident.{{Cite web |last=Korn |first=Jennifer |date=2023-06-19 |title=Hackers threaten to leak stolen Reddit data if company doesn't pay $4.5 million and change controversial pricing policy |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/19/tech/reddit-hackers-demands-api/index.html |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=June 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230619165832/https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/19/tech/reddit-hackers-demands-api/index.html |url-status=live }}

Subreddit takeovers

On July 21, Reddit took over the subreddit r/malefashionadvice through an account named "ModCodeofConduct" amid pushes for the subreddit's community to move to Discord and Substack; ModCodeofConduct is the sole moderator of several other subreddits, including r/ShittyLifeProTips, r/AccidentalRenaissance, and r/oldbabies.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/20/23802370/reddit-over-reopens-subreddit-protest-male-fashion-advice |title=Reddit takes over one of the biggest protesting subreddits |date=2023-07-21 |last=Peters |first=Jay |website=The Verge |access-date=2023-07-30 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730180536/https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/20/23802370/reddit-over-reopens-subreddit-protest-male-fashion-advice |url-status=live }} Through the ModCodeofConduct account, Reddit administrators sought new moderators for these subreddits. A moderator for r/AccidentalRenaissance told Ars Technica that new moderators would find the task challenging, given that they would be subject to "the worst photos they could imagine", including child pornography, dying children and animals, and human feces. The moderator described how previous moderators of r/AccidentalRenaissance had "art history backgrounds, formal education, and an instinctual grasp of what makes a photo 'Renaissance.{{' "}}, qualifications disregarded by Reddit; they further noted that the subreddit's contents "now [...] are simply 'Not Renaissance.{{' "}}, and criticized Reddit's choice of moderators.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/reddit-calls-for-a-few-new-mods-after-axing-polarizing-some-of-its-best/ |title=Reddit calls for "a few new mods" after axing, polarizing some of its best |date=2023-07-28 |last=Harding |first=Scharon |website=Ars Technica |access-date=2023-07-30 |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730180535/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/07/reddit-calls-for-a-few-new-mods-after-axing-polarizing-some-of-its-best/ |url-status=live }}

Reactions

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian tweeted, "Online community-building is more like {{Abbr|IRL|in-real-life}} community-building than people realize", in an apparent reference to the backlash to Reddit's API changes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23756075/alexis-ohanian-online-community-building-is-more-like-irl-community-building-than-people-realize-thi |title=Alexis Ohanian: "Online community-building is more like IRL community-building than people realize. Thing is — most people don't wanna do the work." |date=June 10, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617050547/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/9/23756075/alexis-ohanian-online-community-building-is-more-like-irl-community-building-than-people-realize-thi |url-status=live }}

On June 29, Mojang Studios, the developers of Minecraft, would cease posting game updates and official content onto Reddit, citing moderation and rule changes. Though owned by Microsoft under its Xbox division, the policy implemented by Minecraft developers did not extend to all Microsoft and Xbox brands. A Mojang representative noted that the company would reconsider if Reddit's API rules change.{{Cite web |last=Field |first=Hayden |date=2023-06-29 |title=Minecraft developers quit Reddit after company's controversial changes |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/29/minecraft-developers-quit-reddit-after-its-controversial-api-changes.html |access-date=2023-06-29 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=June 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230629170036/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/29/minecraft-developers-quit-reddit-after-its-controversial-api-changes.html |url-status=live }}

=Analysis=

Columnist Megan McArdle compared Reddit to the nonprofit organization Goodwill and said that the site's moderators have "essentially gone on strike".{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/06/15/reddit-profits-goodwill-strike/ |title=Reddit followed Goodwill's playbook. Now Redditors are on strike. |date=June 15, 2023 |last=McArdle |first=Megan |author-link=Megan McArdle |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 17, 2023}} The Verge reporter Jay Peters noted that the quality of Google Search results decreased, citing the lack of resources for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023), among other grievances.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759942/google-reddit-subreddit-blackout-protests |title=Google is getting a lot worse because of the Reddit blackouts |date=June 13, 2023 |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |access-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-date=June 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617040145/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/13/23759942/google-reddit-subreddit-blackout-protests |url-status=live }} John Herrman of Intelligencer made a similar comment.{{Cite web |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06/reddit-and-the-end-of-online-community.html |title=Reddit and the End of Online 'Community' |date=June 17, 2023 |last=Herrman |first=John |work=New York |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230621175124/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/06/reddit-and-the-end-of-online-community.html |url-status=live }} Casey Newton drew attention to a comment Huffman made praising Elon Musk for his tenure as Twitter's CEO;{{Cite web |url=https://www.platformer.news/p/what-were-learning-from-the-reddit |title=What we're learning from the Reddit blackout |date=June 20, 2023 |last=Newton |first=Casey |author-link=Casey Newton |work=Platformer |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230622013817/https://www.platformer.news/p/what-were-learning-from-the-reddit |url-status=live }} among Musk's decisions as CEO was to remove Twitter's free tier for its API.{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/2/23582615/twitter-removing-free-api-developer-apps-price-announcement |title=Twitter replaces its free API with a paid tier in quest to make more money |date=February 2, 2023 |last=Weatherbed |first=Jess |work=The Verge |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202134652/https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/2/23582615/twitter-removing-free-api-developer-apps-price-announcement |url-status=live }} In an all-hands meeting, Google senior vice president Prabhakar Raghavan admitted users were "not quite happy" with Google's search results after the blackout.{{Cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/reddit-blackout-made-google-worse-1850580546 |title=Google Says the Reddit Blackout Made Search Worse |date=June 27, 2023 |last=Hurler |first=Kevin |work=Gizmodo |access-date=June 27, 2023 |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627144915/https://gizmodo.com/reddit-blackout-made-google-worse-1850580546 |url-status=live }}