Reddit Ends RSS Feeds and Public API Access Due to AI Bots

Reddit has announced it will end support for RSS feeds and tighten access to its public API by March 2027. The social media platform cited the increasing prevalence of AI bots and associated automated abuse as the primary reasons for these decisions.

Support for RSS, a format that allows users to track website updates in a standardized way, will cease on November 13. Reddit acknowledged the long-standing role of RSS in the open web and thanked its users. This move is part of a broader effort by the company to gain greater control over its content and its commercialization.

The decision to phase out RSS and restrict API access comes as Reddit increasingly looks to monetize its user-generated content through AI licensing deals. In its second quarter, the company reported that its "other revenue"—outside of advertising—grew 24% year-over-year to $43 million, highlighting the value of its data.

For moderators who have relied on RSS channels for alerts, Reddit is recommending a shift to the Discord Relay Devvit app. The company is advising moderators and their teams to review their setups and migrate workflows before the November 13 shutdown to prevent disruptions. However, Reddit noted there is no direct replacement for RSS feeds used for external community feeds.