Reddit pushes web visitors to app
3 hours ago
- #Open Web
- #Enshittification
- Reddit is experimenting with forcing logged-out mobile web users to download its app to access content, blocking mobile web visits with an unclosable overlay.
- The push to apps is seen as a monetization strategy, making ad-blocking harder and enabling more data collection, part of a trend toward 'enshittification'.
- Users suggest workarounds like browser extensions to redirect to Old Reddit, RSS feeds (though rate-limited), and alternative platforms, while some advocate leaving Reddit entirely.
- Concerns include the degradation of the open web, AI-generated content, repetitive posts, and the superiority of third-party apps like Apollo, now sideloaded after API changes.
- The discussion highlights broader issues with platforms like X and Instagram, pointing to the need for decentralized or traditional alternatives (forums, Usenet, mailing lists) over growth-hackable sites.