Reddit CEO Admits r/Popular ‘Sucks,’ Announces Its Removal
▼ Summary
– Reddit is replacing its default r/popular feed with more personalized feeds, as CEO Steve Huffman stated it “sucks” and misrepresents the platform’s culture.
– The company argues a single “front page of the internet” no longer works, as users have diverse interests that should be reflected in their individual feeds.
– The r/popular feed will soon be removed for new users and from the core app feeds for those who do not regularly view it, with changes starting this week.
– Reddit is also implementing new rules to limit how many large communities a single user can moderate, aiming to reduce the influence of “powermods.”
– These moderator changes, effective March 2026, will restrict users to overseeing a maximum of five communities with over 100,000 weekly visitors each.
Reddit is making a significant shift away from its one-size-fits-all approach to content discovery, with CEO Steve Huffman candidly stating that the platform’s default r/popular feed “sucks.” The company plans to phase out this generic feed for new users, replacing it with more tailored and relevant personalized feeds. This move acknowledges that the platform’s diverse user base has outgrown a single, monolithic front page, aiming instead to reflect individual interests and improve the experience for newcomers.
Huffman explained that the r/popular feed, while theoretically showcasing the most popular content, actually reflects the preferences of Reddit’s most active users, a group that doesn’t represent the broader community. Having it as a default creates a false impression of a singular Reddit culture, one that he believes is neither accurate nor appealing to new users. Consequently, in the near future, Reddit will stop showing r/popular to new accounts and will remove it from the core set of feeds in the app for existing users unless they actively engage with it regularly.
These changes are set to begin rolling out to some users as early as this week. The r/popular feed was originally instituted as the default for logged-out users back in 2017, marking a notable reversal in strategy. While specific details on the new, improved feeds remain under wraps, Huffman indicated that enhanced personalization and functionality, such as the return of News feed filters, are central to the vision. A company spokesperson confirmed that these developments are in early-stage testing.
In a parallel effort to reshape community governance, Reddit is implementing new policies to limit the influence of “powermods.” Starting March 31st, 2026, users will be restricted to moderating a maximum of five communities that each have over 100,000 weekly visitors. This change is designed to ensure that distinct communities have distinct leaders, preventing any single individual from overseeing an unlimited number of large, high-traffic forums. The company estimates this policy will affect fewer than 0.1% of active moderators.
(Source: The Verge)
