Reddit Cuts RSS and Will Shut Down Public API in 2027

Reddit is retiring RSS and preparing to shut down its public API, citing scraping and automated abuse. The platform is also announcing restrictions on Old Reddit and setting a registration deadline for third-party developers. These decisions affect moderators, researchers, and AI products that currently rely on its data.

Old Reddit Will Be Restricted and Developers Subject to Registration

Reddit has indicated it will add protections to Old Reddit, its classic text-rich version. These measures will include access restrictions reserved for logged-in moderators and recent users, changes that the company claims are justified by abusive scraping and automated traffic. In the coming months, access for logged-in users will be limited to those who have used Old Reddit in the last 90 days.

At the same time, Reddit is imposing requirements on approved third-party app and bot developers. They are encouraged to register by January 12, 2027, to avoid disruption; otherwise, access to the API will be revoked after this date. The platform is also planning to shut down its public API in March 2027.

RSS Ends on November 13, No Replacement for the General Public

Reddit will end support for RSS feeds on November 13, after presenting this format as a prime target for large-scale scraping and automated abuse. The company recommends that moderators who relied on these channels for their alerts switch to the Discord Relay Devvit app and migrate their configurations before the cutoff date to avoid any interruption. Reddit specifies that there is no replacement for the use of RSS feeds outside of moderator communities.

This decision has raised concerns among moderators about the impact on their workflows. Users have also stated that RSS was their preferred way to browse Reddit and expressed that the platform would become unmanageable for them without this access method.

Consequences for Researchers and AI Assistants When the API is Cut

Starting in March 2027, the removal of public access to the API will impact tools that currently automate access to discussions on Reddit, whether they are social listening solutions, research software, or AI applications such as assistants. For now, these assistants rely on Reddit to provide answers to certain questions. After the shutdown, they will have to forgo commercial agreements with Reddit for its data.

This policy comes as Reddit monetizes its content, particularly through AI-related licenses. In the second quarter, the company reported a 24% year-over-year increase in its other revenues, excluding advertising, to $43 million.

The Withdrawal of RSS Fits into a Wave of Updates and a Legacy

The end of RSS is part of a series of updates announced on a Wednesday, alongside developments such as the Rules Hub and changes to auto-moderation. RSS, a standard for distributing site updates, saw widespread use during the blogging era. Google long operated the most popular reader before shutting it down in 2013, leaving more room for services like Feedly and other independent applications.