Reddit to shut down RSS feeds and public API by 2027

Reddit has announced the termination of its RSS feed support, with a shutdown date set for November 13. The platform also confirmed that access to its public API will cease in March 2027. These changes are part of a broader series of updates for moderators and developers revealed on Wednesday.

Reasons behind the discontinuation

The company stated that RSS has become a “common surface for large-scale scraping and automated abuse.” This rationale underpins the decision to wind down the feature. In its announcement, Reddit acknowledged the format’s history: “We know RSS has been a beloved part of the open web for a long time, and we’re grateful to everyone who used it to stay connected to Reddit.”

RSS, or Really Simple Syndication/Rich Site Summary, allows users and applications to receive website updates in a standardized format. It gained popularity during the blogging era as a method for subscribing to new posts via news-reading apps. Google operated the most widely used reader until shutting it down in 2013, which shifted the market to services like Feedly and other independent applications.

Impact on moderators and workflows

For moderators who utilized RSS channels for alerts, Reddit recommends migrating to the Discord Relay Devvit app. The company advised teams to review their setups and complete migrations before the November 13 deadline to prevent disruption. However, Reddit noted there is no replacement for RSS feeds used outside of moderator communities.

Moderators have previously voiced concerns about how ending RSS would affect their ability to manage the site. When Reddit hinted at this change earlier, many argued the platform would become unmanageable. Users also emphasized that RSS was their preferred method for accessing content.

End of public API access

The closure of the public API by March 2027 will affect tools relying on programmatic access to Reddit conversations. This includes social listening products, research tools, and AI assistants. Currently, these assistants use Reddit data to answer questions; after the shutdown, they must secure commercial deals with Reddit to continue using its data.

This move coincides with Reddit’s growing revenue from AI licensing. During the second quarter, the company reported that “other revenue” beyond advertising rose 24% year-over-year to $43 million. The shift suggests a strategic effort to protect its user-generated content from free distribution.

Safeguards for Old Reddit

Reddit provided updates on its Rules Hub progress and auto-moderation changes. The company is adding safeguards to Old Reddit, its classic text-heavy interface. Access will be limited to logged-in moderators and recent users due to “abusive scraping and automated traffic.”

In the coming months, Reddit will restrict access for logged-in users to those who have used Old Reddit within the last 90 days. Additionally, developers building approved third-party apps and bots must register them with the company before January 12, 2027. Failure to do so will result in the removal of API access after that date.