An account is now required to read Reddit comment threads? (old.reddit.com)

Article summary

The article's content is unavailable, but the discussion suggests Reddit may be requiring an account to read comment threads. This change is compared to similar moves by other platforms, such as Quora, which had negative effects on user engagement. The requirement may only affect the mobile version of the site. Some users report being able to read comment threads without logging in, suggesting the change may be part of an A/B test.

Main themes

• Reddit account requirement
• user engagement
• platform changes
• Quora comparison
• mobile site issues

What commenters say

• Requiring an account to read comment threads may reduce user engagement and drive users away from the platform. Some users appreciate the ability to read comments without logging in and see it as a key feature of the site. The change may be an attempt to push users towards the mobile app, where more ads and tracking are present. Forcing users to log in may not be effective, as some users will simply switch to alternative versions of the site, such as old.reddit.com. The requirement may be part of an A/B test, and its effects on user behavior are uncertain. Requiring an account may create a walled garden effect, limiting access to information and hindering its preservation for future generations. Some users are concerned that Reddit will eventually disable alternative versions of the site, such as old.reddit.com, and force all users to log in or use the mobile app.