I think that’s kind of proof-positive for just how much content on Reddit is now controlled and pushed by Reddit itself in some way. If 75-80% of the subs where content gets hosted are not adding content, but there hasn’t been a meaningful dip in content, it’s because Reddit is the one controlling the content.
It’s also part of why this API change is so important for them. Have you ever wondered why certain links/stories/things get posted to like 20+ subreddits seemingly all at once? Or no matter how many times you refresh, or which sub you visit it’s the same 3-5 links at the top? It’s because Reddit is being paid to push people to those links. They are getting click share revenue each time someone follows that link from their service. It’s not banner ads they’re worried about, it’s the links themselves. That’s a MASSIVE amount of revenue they’re not getting because if you click it from outside their environment, they get zero money. You can’t ad block the content itself, but make no mistake it is an ad.
That’s my thought too. Even before this, I felt like I was reading automated posts and chat bot responses on reddit. It seems like a zombie forum where most of the “people” weren’t really real, it was just recycled content, laugh tracks, and being force fed content posted by reddit itself (versus users) scraped from other places.
The whole bot comments accusing bot comments of being bot comments surely was intriguing. And that’s with them copy-pasting existing comments - wonder how many “users” are GPT bots lately.
I edited my comment to expand because probably a lot of people don’t realize their being manipulated. You bring up a good point though, because you’re right. The reason it feels like there’s so many polarizing takes and arguments in comments and bot generated discussion is because there is - think about it, say you’re like me/most people and rather than go to the link you just go right to the comments. Well if you see “people” arguing back and forth and posting polar takes, you’re more likely to go to the article and form your own opinion.
I think that’s kind of proof-positive for just how much content on Reddit is now controlled and pushed by Reddit itself in some way. If 75-80% of the subs where content gets hosted are not adding content, but there hasn’t been a meaningful dip in content, it’s because Reddit is the one controlling the content.
It’s also part of why this API change is so important for them. Have you ever wondered why certain links/stories/things get posted to like 20+ subreddits seemingly all at once? Or no matter how many times you refresh, or which sub you visit it’s the same 3-5 links at the top? It’s because Reddit is being paid to push people to those links. They are getting click share revenue each time someone follows that link from their service. It’s not banner ads they’re worried about, it’s the links themselves. That’s a MASSIVE amount of revenue they’re not getting because if you click it from outside their environment, they get zero money. You can’t ad block the content itself, but make no mistake it is an ad.
That’s my thought too. Even before this, I felt like I was reading automated posts and chat bot responses on reddit. It seems like a zombie forum where most of the “people” weren’t really real, it was just recycled content, laugh tracks, and being force fed content posted by reddit itself (versus users) scraped from other places.
The whole bot comments accusing bot comments of being bot comments surely was intriguing. And that’s with them copy-pasting existing comments - wonder how many “users” are GPT bots lately.
I edited my comment to expand because probably a lot of people don’t realize their being manipulated. You bring up a good point though, because you’re right. The reason it feels like there’s so many polarizing takes and arguments in comments and bot generated discussion is because there is - think about it, say you’re like me/most people and rather than go to the link you just go right to the comments. Well if you see “people” arguing back and forth and posting polar takes, you’re more likely to go to the article and form your own opinion.
reading the comments here is a breath of fresh air compared to the endless recycled posts and comments from bots and users who might as well be bots