Reddit announced it will discontinue RSS feeds on its platform and restrict public API access, saying RSS has become a “common surface for large‑scale scraping and automated abuse.” The company set a shutdown date for RSS and gave a timeline for ending public API availability.
- RSS support end date: November 13, 2026.
- Public API end date: March 2027.
In its announcement Reddit acknowledged that RSS has been a long‑standing part of the open web and thanked users who relied on it to stay connected to the site. At the same time, the company pointed to the commercial value of its forum content: in its second quarter results Reddit said “other revenue” beyond advertising rose 24% year‑over‑year to $43 million. Reddit framed the move as a way to prevent giving away data that now has monetizable value.
Guidance for moderators and developers
For moderators who used RSS channels for alerts, Reddit recommended migrating to the Devvit Discord Relay app. Moderation teams were urged to review their setups and move workflows before the November 13, 2026 shutdown to avoid disruption. Reddit also noted there is no direct replacement for RSS feeds that were used for purposes outside moderator workflows.
Moderators have expressed concern about how losing RSS will affect their operations, and many users said RSS was their preferred method of accessing Reddit content.
Public API closure, Old Reddit limits, and developer registration
Reddit said it will end public API access by March 2027. That will affect tools that programmatically access Reddit conversations, including social listening products, research tools, and AI products such as AI assistants that currently use Reddit content to answer questions. After the public API closes, those assistants will need to forgo commercial deals with Reddit for its data or otherwise change how they operate.
The company also said it is adding safeguards to Old Reddit (the classic, text‑heavy version of the site). Changes will include limiting access to logged‑in moderators and to users who have used Old Reddit within the last 90 days; Reddit said these limits are necessary because of abusive scraping and automated traffic.
Developers building approved third‑party apps and bots must register them with Reddit by January 12, 2027, to avoid disruption. After that date Reddit will remove API access for any developer who has not registered.
Why this matters
The removal of RSS and the closure of the public API reduce simple, standardized ways to access Reddit content. That will impact researchers, moderators, developers and users who used alternative clients or automated channels. Reddit’s financial results and growing revenue from AI licensing appear to be a motivating factor in the company’s decision to tighten access to its data.
Moderators and developers should prepare for the deadlines and evaluate alternative tools and workflows to maintain their current operations.
