Reddit plans to require users to create accounts and log in before accessing the platform. The company says the move will help it focus on direct users as traffic from search engines declines.
The announcement came during the company’s Q3 2026 earnings report. CEO Steve Huffman said testing will begin in select markets outside the United States before a wider rollout.
For years, Reddit allowed people to browse most of its content without signing in. Many users landed on the platform through Google Search to read discussions, answers, and recommendations without creating an account.
However, that setup is about to change. Reddit wants more users logged in, which could make it easier for the company to grow its advertising business and better understand how people use the platform.
The company also said the change could help reduce unauthorized scraping of Reddit content. Logged-out users have been one of the biggest sources of that activity, said the company.
The move comes as Reddit sees less traffic from Google Search. Huffman said AI-powered search features, including AI Overviews, are sending fewer visitors to websites like Reddit. As a result, the company is putting more attention on users who visit Reddit directly.
Even with those challenges, Reddit reported strong financial results for the quarter. Revenue and earnings both beat analyst expectations, and its data licensing business continued to grow.
Also Read: Discord and Reddit agree to comply with DICT mandates
For users, reading Reddit posts will soon require an account, even if you only want to browse public discussions. The company has not yet said when the change will roll out globally or how much content will remain available without logging in.
Source: 1
