Old Reddit

Reddit says it is further limiting access to its legacy 'Old Reddit' interface, citing efforts to combat scraping and automated traffic from AI bots. The company has recently begun requiring users to log in before using the classic experience. Many long-time users rely on Old Reddit for its simpler design, and the tightening rules have sparked frustration among those who see it as another step toward restricting free access to the platform.

Reddit has imposed new restrictions on Old Reddit, its legacy desktop interface that many long-time users prefer over the modern redesign. The move limits functionality on the older interface, drawing criticism from users who rely on it for a lighter, ad-free experience. The company has been steadily pushing users toward the newer design and its official apps.

Reddit will prevent users who have not visited Old.Reddit.com in the past six months from accessing the legacy interface, according to Ars Technica. The move effectively limits the stripped-down, text-heavy version of the site to its existing regular users, and is likely to be read as another step pushing people toward the modern Reddit interface. Longtime users of Old Reddit have often voiced concern that the company will eventually retire the old design entirely.

Reddit will discontinue its RSS feeds on 13 November and end public API access by March 2027, citing heavy scraping by AI bots. Moderators are being advised to use Discord Relay Devvit, but no replacement exists for external feeds. Old Reddit access will also be restricted to recent users, closing off further workarounds for third-party tools and readers.

Reddit is imposing new restrictions on old Reddit, its long-standing simplified interface, according to an Engadget report. Users say the change adds to a string of unpopular platform decisions, with some voicing frustration that no viable alternative platform exists to switch to.