Reddit is killing RSS feeds and ending public API access because of AI bots

Users will no longer have a free, programmatic way to access Reddit content outside of the official website and apps.

Reddit is discontinuing its RSS feeds on November 13 and will end public API access by March 2027. The company cites "common surface for large-scale scraping and automated abuse" as the primary reason for these changes. RSS feeds, which allow users to subscribe to website updates in a standardized format, have been a part of the open web for years. Reddit's decision to remove them, alongside the public API shutdown, aligns with its strategy to monetize its vast user-generated content through AI licensing deals. The company's "other revenue," excluding advertising, grew 24% year-over-year to $43 million in the second quarter. Reddit suggests moderators use the Discord Relay Devvit app for alerts and recommends third-party app developers register by January 12, 2027, to maintain API access. Additionally, Reddit is implementing safeguards for its "Old Reddit" version, limiting access to logged-in moderators and recent users to combat abusive scraping.

Reddit's decision to shut down RSS feeds and its public API signals a significant shift towards content monetization, particularly for AI training. By restricting free access, the platform aims to capture more value from its data, driving potential revenue through licensing deals. This move could force AI developers and researchers to negotiate commercial agreements with Reddit, altering the landscape of how external entities interact with and utilize the site's extensive user-generated content. It also highlights a broader trend of platforms seeking to control and commercialize their data assets in the age of generative AI.

The elimination of RSS feeds and public API access will impact a range of users, from moderators relying on automated alerts to third-party application developers and researchers. While Reddit offers alternative tools for moderators, the loss of RSS means many users will lose a familiar and convenient method of consuming Reddit content. For AI companies and other data consumers, this change necessitates a pivot towards potentially costly commercial relationships with Reddit, moving away from the previously open ecosystem. The move also raises questions about the future of independent tools and services that have historically leveraged Reddit's data.