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Your Input Needed – Reddit’s API Changes & r/NBA



Hi everyone!

By now, you have heard about Reddit’s API changes (if you haven’t, then please check this out: [LINK] (https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/31/popular-reddit-app-apollo-may-go-out-of-business-over-reddits-new-unaffordable-api-pricing/)) and other subreddit’s protests to raise awareness about the issue in hopes of reversing Reddit’s decision.

The mod team at r/nba have internally discussed the issue and possible courses of action such as:

– Participating in the blackout (two days or indefinitely)
– Posting messages throughout the subreddit asking users to contact the admins
– Issuing a formal statement similar to other subreddits

And other options.

However, each of those options seemed to have their own extended list of pros and cons. **Before any action will be taken, we wanted to listen to your input and what you all would want to do about this situation.**

**Please feel free to express your opinion and suggestions about what r/NBA’s community should do against Reddit’s API changes below.**

by IamOlderthanMe

41 Comments

  1. kev_in374

    I support the blackout, but I will be incredibly sad since there is a finals game going on

  2. everyoneneedsaherro

    Please consider joining the blackout. The official Reddit app doesn’t support accessibility and people who are blind for example won’t be able to use Reddit at all

    /r/nba with almost 8 million subscribers would help make a big difference

  3. Thimit22

    Shut the entire sub down forever and start over

  4. rejectedheretic

    Join the majority of other major subreddits in the blackout!

  5. pm_me_your_buds

    Please don’t blackout during a finals game.

  6. BetweenTheBuzzAndMe

    do it, the more BIG subs that do it, the better

  7. sleepy416

    I can go without a game thread for one day

  8. VagabondReborn

    Shutting down the sub during the Finals is the dumbest shit ever. It hurts no one but the users of the sub. Shutting down r/NBA for 2 days has to be the most slacktavist way of protesting i’ve ever seen

  9. ticklishmusic

    Shut it down. Two days off is one finals game only

  10. Good_NewsEveryone

    I would love to see an indefinite blackout but it’s pretty clear to me so far that most of this sub is not for a blackout.

    And honestly I don’t think the blackout will be effective. Even if we chose an extended blackout, I suspect there would be spin-off subs happening before long.

    It’s just clear to me that Reddit is intent on feeding the shittiest low hanging fruit aspect of their content, which frankly already have too much momentum.

    I guess the message board format is just not as monetizable as instagram with categories.

  11. chief_sitass

    How will I read about Lebron going to the Mavs if there’s a blackout?

  12. Pitcher2Burn

    Touch grass. It’s not that big of a deal.

  13. All these subs going to shut down for a day or two and Reddit central will say “Ok whatever” and everyone will come back and deal with the changes.

  14. LylaTeefsFloorRocket

    by the time the 12th rolls around almost any sub you’re subbed too will likely be blacking out, so don’t be one of the only ones to not do it

    to all the people saying “but there’s a Finals game that day!” this is why nothing of consequence ever gets settled anywhere for any reason. People are way too comfortable and quick to cry when even slightly inconvenienced. This is bigger than a game thread, the way you experience reddit (even if you don’t personally use third party apps) will drastically change should this happen

  15. trekfan1013

    Blackout. Reddit needs to hear loud and clear that this move they’re doing is bs.

  16. GraboHoops

    Did people really expect 3rd-party apps would just leech profit off of Reddit forever?

    Not defending Reddit, as the API call costs suggested are ridiculous, but someone was paying your costs before. Not particularly surprised in what’s happening.

    Best solution would be for Reddit to just build features into their native app for mods that they enjoy elsewhere. As a user, I’ve absolutely never had issues with neither desktop app nor iOS browser version.

  17. syp2207

    see u guys after the blackout inevitably changes nothing and everyone is back on reddit a minute after it ends with no change whatsoever

    edit: and to be clear, id love if reddit wasnt being so hostile towards third party apps, i just dont think this shit is gonna do anything besides make these reddit activists feel good about themselves. reddit will laugh and move on while continuing to print money

  18. Oaknugs

    Let’s make a stance and support the blackout

  19. Btotherianx

    I personally do not care enough I’ve never used anything but the official website and app I think it’s kind of a bogus change but at the same time it’s their website

  20. casusev

    r/NBA is in a unique position to be able to blackout during major sporting event that would normally drive a lot of traffic to the site. 100% join the blackout.

  21. the_spinetingler

    Has a blackout ever been done before, and was it successful in achieving its goal?

  22. BcuzRacecar

    Could you guys make a list of tools and post methods that use the api so people have a clearer idea of what the new policy means for the sub?

  23. Holiday-Somewhere-96

    TIL that we are not all using the same app. I had no idea any of this even existed.

    Edit: so I just downloaded Apollo to test it out, lock this sub down.

  24. Lorjack

    I don’t use 3rd party apps at all and never have so I don’t particularly care about these API changes, I’d be against a shutdown for sure.

  25. codingftw

    r/NBA is in a unique position because of the timing of the blackout. If it ends up being an indefinite one, that’ll be harsh because we will then miss the finals as well as the draft at least.

    However, if we really feel that the issue is *that* big then there is no better time to join the blackout in terms of sending a message to Reddit.

    Me personally? I don’t mind going either route. I understand both arguments and feel that at the very least Reddit should significantly reduce the amount it’s API charges have increased by. It is very unfair to third party developers to have the pricing increased this drastically. Twitter did this and is rightfully being shamed. Reddit should be too.

  26. PestySamurai

    No blackout please. It’s just virtue signalling. If you really have to do something a statement is fine.

  27. CursedAttempt

    They will not care if anyone shuts down for a useless amount of time, it’s happening no matter what.

  28. original42069

    Make a statement but definitely no blackout plz. It’s the finals!!!

  29. dalmathus

    There should be one post from the mods explaining the situation and then lock the sub for comments and submissions.

    That way peoples subreddits are going away and you retain the ability to upvote the message to people on r/all that might not be aware of the severity of the issue.

  30. calumin

    I think the issue you are going to have is that the people who want the boycott are incredibly passionate about it and will all tell you so in painstaking detail, but the silent majority of users don’t know about the issue, don’t know what Reddit APIs or third party apps are, probably couldn’t care less, and will be silent.

    However, that silent majority will certainly let you know how they feel if you go dark during the NBA Finals.

    So you’re not going to get your feedback all at once.

  31. Eric_T_Meraki

    Needs to be done. If major subs do it, the site will definitely take a hit.

  32. DirtySperrys

    I support the blackout, indefinitely as well. Too many moderation tools rely on the API. Seems a number of responses against the blackout don’t know that this is more than just the third party apps involved.

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