Podcast Summary: The Battle to Save Reddit
Podcast Information
- Title: On the Media
- Host/Author: WNYC Studios
- Episode: The Battle to Save Reddit
- Release Date: June 21, 2023
- Description: This episode delves into the significant protest led by Reddit’s volunteer moderators against the platform’s new API fee structure, exploring the ramifications for the community and the broader implications for social media governance.
Introduction to the Reddit Protest
[00:20] Michael Olinger introduces the central issue: Reddit's volunteer moderators staging a mass protest by shutting down thousands of subreddits in response to the platform’s decision to charge for API access. This move threatens the sustainability of numerous third-party apps and the overall functionality of Reddit.
Notable Quote:
“...a massive conflict between the giant cohort of volunteer moderators that make Reddit work and Reddit, the company which hopes to juice its business model and woo investors.” — Michael Olinger [01:16]
The Crucial Role of Volunteer Moderators
Michael Olinger emphasizes the indispensable role of volunteer moderators in maintaining Reddit’s diverse communities. A 2020 Northwestern study highlighted that approximately 21,000 active moderators contribute over $3.4 million worth of unpaid labor annually.
[02:20] Michael Olinger:
“Moderation work is notoriously grueling. So why are people doing it?”
[02:51] Jason Kebler, Editor in Chief at Motherboard Vice's Tech Section, explains that moderators are driven by passion for their specific interests, whether they be broad communities like r/pics or highly niche subreddits dedicated to specific hobbies or topics.
Notable Quote:
“...they have derived quite a lot of joy out of doing this.” — Jason Kebler [02:51]
The Importance of Third-Party Apps
[09:43] Michael Olinger and [09:55] Jason Kebler discuss the reliance on third-party Reddit applications, such as Apollo, which offer superior user experiences and essential accessibility features not available in Reddit’s official app. These apps are pivotal for many users and moderators alike.
Notable Quote:
“Reddit is like a spiritual successor to message boards and forums.” — Jason Kebler [06:13]
Reddit’s API Fee Changes and Their Impact
Reddit’s decision to impose significant fees on access to its API has ignited the protest. This change threatens the viability of third-party apps that many users and moderators depend on for their daily interactions on Reddit.
[11:10] Jason Kebler:
“Reddit has announced that it is going to start charging for access to the API, and it's charging quite a lot of money.”
He further explains that this move is primarily aimed at monetizing Reddit’s data for use by large corporations and AI companies, which exacerbates the strain on smaller developers maintaining essential tools for the community.
The Mass Moderation Protest
Moderators from nearly 9,000 subreddits, including major ones like r/Funny, r/Gaming, and r/Music, initiated a blackout protest. Although the primary protest lasted about 48 hours, over 3,000 subreddits remain inactive.
[08:54] Michael Olinger:
“What exactly are they asking for?”
[08:54] Jason Kebler:
The protest is essentially a stand against the new API fees, highlighting the dependency of the Reddit ecosystem on these third-party tools.
Notable Quote:
“Reddit is trying to charge millions and millions of dollars to all these different companies and is able to turn a profit.” — Jason Kebler [26:03]
CEO Steve Huffman’s Response
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman labels the protesting moderators as the “landed gentry” and threatens to implement new rules allowing users to vote out moderators who participated in the protest. This response underscores the tension between Reddit’s corporate ambitions and the community-driven nature of the platform.
[18:52] Michael Olinger:
“He called these protesting moderators, 'landed gentry,' and said that he plans to institute new rules that would allow Reddit users to vote out moderators who have participated in the protest.”
Notable Quote:
“It’s a big power struggle between Reddit corporate and its unpaid moderators.” — Jason Kebler [20:12]
Consequences and Future Implications
The protest has led to significant disruptions on Reddit. During the blackout, niche subreddits surged in visibility, but overall the platform became chaotic and less navigable. Approximately 300 subreddits have pledged to remain private indefinitely unless Reddit revises its policies.
[24:18] Michael Olinger:
“Is he ruining this website by picking a fight with the people who are helping create its value?”
[26:38] Michael Olinger:
“Reddit is able to charge millions and millions of dollars to all these different companies and is able to turn a profit. And it seems like that is a bet that Huffman is willing to make here.”
Notable Quote:
“This is a step on the path toward homogenization.” — Jason Kebler [26:50]
Broader Reflections on Social Media and the Internet
Jason Kebler draws parallels between Reddit’s situation and broader trends in social media, where platforms increasingly prioritize monetization over community-driven content moderation. He warns of a potential loss of Reddit’s unique, forum-like character as it moves towards a more centralized, profit-driven model.
[26:50] Jason Kebler:
“...we've seen this homogenization of Reddit where it starts to feel like a lot of the other social media platforms.”
[28:37] Michael Olinger:
“Trying is still net positive. I think the optimist in me.”
Conclusion: A Turning Point for Reddit
The episode concludes with reflections on the significance of the protest, highlighting the essential conversation about who controls social media platforms and how value is generated and sustained. While there are concerns about the future direction of Reddit, the protest has successfully brought attention to the platform’s dependency on volunteer moderators and the impact of corporate decisions on user-driven communities.
Notable Quote:
“We are now talking about Reddit's business model. Who controls Reddit? Who benefits from the unpaid labor that all of these moderators are doing for Reddit? And I think that in and of itself is a win.” — Jason Kebler [28:37]
Attribution
- Host: Michael Olinger
- Guest: Jason Kebler, Editor in Chief at Motherboard Vice's Tech Section