In a recent interview with The Verge, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman addressed the ongoing protests by thousands of Reddit communities following API changes that have compelled certain third-party developers to discontinue their apps. Huffman expressed his support for these changes, asserting that, in his view, third-party apps do not significantly contribute to the platform’s value.
Huffman emphasized that while the API was intended for the creation of tools, bots, and enhancements within Reddit, it was not originally designed to accommodate third-party apps. He acknowledged his responsibility in allowing their existence, admitting that he had advocated for it for an extended period.
However, Huffman expressed concern about third-party apps profiting from the Reddit API, viewing it as a departure from their initial purpose. When questioned about the value these apps bring to Reddit, he stated that their benefits do not outweigh the drawbacks. Huffman stressed the importance of these apps covering their costs, as Reddit believes in the principles of free markets. He did not directly address the challenges posed by the short notice given to developers to comply with the new pricing structure.
Regarding the impact of the community’s protests on the API pricing changes, Huffman maintained that the decision was independent of the blackouts. He confirmed that the business decision would not be reversed, underscoring the company’s commitment to its chosen path.
While Reddit acknowledges and respects the community’s right to protest, the company contends that the majority of the top 5,000 communities by daily active users have reopened. In a fact sheet released by Reddit, it is revealed that over 80 percent of these communities have resumed activity. The company also shared statistics highlighting the existence of over 100,000 active communities, with 57 million daily active uniques and over 50,000 daily active moderators.
The recent protests originated from revelations made by Apollo for Reddit developer Christian Selig, who disclosed that Reddit’s new terms would impose a significant financial burden of $20 million annually. Despite the planned duration of the protests being from June 12th to June 14th, many subreddits have extended their blackouts.
Exceptions to the API pricing changes have been made in specific cases that demonstrate real value and prioritize user accessibility. Huffman highlighted apps such as RedReader, Dystopia, and Luna as examples of those exempted by Reddit due to their positive impact and commitment to covering their own costs.