Starting November 13, Reddit will disable RSS feeds and plans to shut down public access to its API by March 2027. The move targets automated abuse and data scraping by AI bots, compelling developers and researchers to adopt Reddit’s commercial platforms and services.
- RSS feeds to end Nov 13; public API closing by March 2027
- Developers urged to migrate to Reddit’s hosted Devvit platform with financial support
- AI data licensing revenue up 24% amid tighter control on unauthorised data use
What happened
Reddit announced it will discontinue support for RSS feeds by November 13 and terminate open public access to its API by March 2027. This decision was detailed in posts on Reddit’s official mod and developer communities, highlighting that RSS feeds have become a major avenue for large-scale scraping and automated abuse by bots. Consequently, Reddit will require all third-party developers and researchers to establish commercial agreements to access its data going forward.
The platform is encouraging developers and bots currently using the public API or RSS to migrate to its official Devvit Developer Platform, where Reddit hosts and directly manages apps. To aid the transition, Reddit introduced a $1 million App Migration Program, which includes cash incentives and technical support. As of the announcement, over 14,000 apps and bots have registered on Devvit, though Reddit acknowledged remaining challenges for complete migration.
Why it matters
This strategic pivot addresses rampant unauthorized scraping and misuse of Reddit data, which has become particularly prevalent via RSS feeds and unsecured API endpoints. By closing public access and funnelling developers to a controlled environment, Reddit aims to better police data usage and protect its platform from abuse. Importantly, this move aligns with Reddit’s broader efforts to monetize its user-generated content through licensing agreements with AI companies such as Google and OpenAI.
The transition signals Reddit’s intention to regulate the flow of data, especially given that its ‘other revenue’ segment—which includes AI data licensing—grew 24% year-over-year to $43 million in Q2 2026. Controlling API access and bot activity helps secure this revenue stream and ensures that AI firms sourcing Reddit’s content now operate under authorized, commercially negotiated frameworks.
What to watch next
Monitor how developer and researcher communities adapt to the discontinuation of RSS and public API access, especially for tools dependent on open data feeds from Reddit. The effectiveness of the App Migration Program and Reddit’s support will be key to minimizing disruption and sustaining third-party innovation within the platform’s ecosystem.
It will also be important to observe Reddit’s enforcement of the new access controls and how these impact unauthorized scraping attempts and bot activity. Additionally, the progress of Reddit’s AI licensing partnerships and their contribution to overall revenue will provide insight into the financial benefits of these tighter data controls in the months ahead.