Reddit is a vast online platform known as “the front page of the internet,” where users can share, rate, and discuss various types of content, from news articles to personal anecdotes. It’s divided into thousands of communities known as “subreddits”, each focusing on a specific topic. Recently, Reddit hasn’t really been in the good books of its users, considering the API changes occurring in the company. Now, reports are stating that Reddit is conducting an early stage trial for its own version of verification badges, called the “Official” label, to affirm the authenticity of certain brand accounts. The feature, currently limited to a select number of organizations, already in collaboration with Reddit, aims to distinguish genuine profiles with no special privileges or protections attached.
Reddit seems to be transitioning into a platform where advertisers will get priority
The “Official” label, appearing next to the username, is quite similar to the implementation of the present ‘flairs’ feature. However, Reddit has emphasized that this badge does not mean any sort of endorsement or promotion of the labelled accounts. Furthermore, it should not be confused with the “Promoted” label, indicating a paid advertisement on the platform.
This method of manually verifying brand accounts draws a parallel with Twitter’s approach, differing from platforms like Instagram, where users can purchase verification badges. While the plan to extend this program beyond businesses remains uncertain, there’s speculation about a potential shift towards Instagram’s strategy in the future. The trial follows a really harsh time for Reddit. Changes in its API rules stirred discontent among the third-party developers who relied on the Reddit API to create numerous apps integrating with the platform. The move led to widespread protest, resulting in several subreddits either restricting access or shutting down entirely.
To further complicate matters, upon reopening, certain subreddits marked all new posts as NSFW, impeding Reddit’s ability to monetize them. The platform’s introduction of the “Official” label might well be a stepping stone to regaining stability and trust within the community, though this remains to be seen. What do you guys think? Will Reddit bounce back from this? Share your views in the comments below!
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