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Reddit is killing RSS feeds and ending public API access because of AI bots
Reddit is discontinuing its RSS feeds on November 13 due to concerns over AI bots exploiting the service for data scraping. This decision follows a rise in AI-related revenue for Reddit and will also see the termination of public API access by March 2027, impacting third-party tools and moderators who relied on the previous system.
Key points
- Reddit will shut down its RSS feed on November 13, 2023, citing extensive scraping by AI bots.
- The decision affects moderators and users who depended on RSS for content updates.
- Reddit's revenue grew 24% to $43 million, pushing the company to limit free data access.
- Public API access will end by March 2027, affecting various tools including social listening and AI assistants.
- Moderators are advised to transition to Discord Relay Devvit for workflow management.
Why it matters
- This move aligns with trends of platforms restricting access to data to protect proprietary content amid AI advancements.
- Historically, major platforms have shifted away from open standards to secure user engagement and monetize data.
- The termination of services like API access reflects a broader industry trend in 2025 where data privacy and control are prioritized.
Reddit's decision to terminate RSS feeds and public API access highlights a pivotal shift towards increased data control and monetization strategies in the tech landscape, affecting users and developers who value open web access.