Reddit, the popular online forum, recently announced a series of updates aimed at enhancing the user experience for its mobile app and website. The changes bring a new “media” tab for easier access to visual content like images and videos, along with a refreshed layout for search results.
Reddit claims an 85% improvement in search speed
The company has taken notable steps to speed up mobile web searches, claiming an 85% improvement in search speed. For users who aren’t logged in, the mobile version of Reddit will now offer additional search filters and separate tabs for comments and posts. This is a welcome change for casual users who prefer not to sign in but want to engage in community discussions.
In an attempt to be more inclusive, Reddit has modified its search feature to be compatible with screen readers. According to the company’s blog post, they’ve added labels, roles, values, and states to all elements in the search results page. The aim is to assist visually impaired users in understanding available actions and the nature of results returned.
However, while these updates appear to be a move in the right direction, they fall short of addressing some long-standing issues, especially concerning accessibility for the visually impaired. Members of the subreddit r/blind have been vocal critics of Reddit’s policies, notably the API crackdown that led to the discontinuation of many third-party accessibility apps. Reddit later exempted some apps focused on accessibility from its API fees, but this hasn’t appeased everyone. Critics argue that the platform still lacks adequate tools for blind users to moderate their own communities.
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(Via)
