Reddit Ends RSS Feeds and Public API Access Over AI Scraping Concerns

Reddit is ending support for RSS feeds and preparing to shut down public API access as the company moves to limit large-scale scraping and automated data collection, including activity linked to AI systems.

The company said RSS feeds will stop working on November 13, while public API access will end in March 2027. Reddit said the changes aim to reduce automated abuse while protecting its platform and user-generated content.

Reddit Targets Scraping and AI Data Access

Reddit said RSS has become a common method for large-scale scraping and automated abuse, increasing pressure on the platform as its discussions and communities become valuable data sources for AI companies.

The company’s user-generated content has also become part of its business strategy through data licensing agreements. Reddit reported that revenue outside advertising grew 24% year over year to $43 million in its second-quarter results.

The company shared details of its financial performance in its second quarter 2026 results.

Impact on Moderators and Developers

Moderators who rely on RSS alerts are being encouraged to move their workflows to alternatives such as the Discord Relay Devvit app.

Reddit said moderators should review their setups and migrate before the RSS shutdown date. However, the company noted that no direct replacement will exist for all external RSS use cases.

Some moderators and users have raised concerns about the change, saying RSS has been an important way to follow Reddit content and manage communities.

Reddit previously discussed efforts to protect communities from scraping and automated traffic in an update shared through its moderator announcement.

Users also discussed the planned RSS changes in community conversations, including posts about Reddit’s decision to end RSS support on Reddit’s RSS community.

Public API Access Will End in 2027

Reddit is also preparing to end public API access by March 2027. The change will affect developers, researchers, social listening tools, and AI products that use Reddit conversations through the public API.

Reddit said AI assistants and other commercial users will need approved data access agreements instead of relying on free public API access.

Developers Must Register Apps Before Shutdown

Developers building approved third-party apps and bots must register them with Reddit before January 12, 2027, through the company’s developer app registration process to avoid disruption.

Reddit also said it is adding safeguards to Old Reddit and limiting some access to reduce automated traffic and scraping activity.