Reddit Tightens Rules: Subreddits Now Require Approval to Go Private or NSFW
In response to last year’s widespread protests against Reddit’s API changes, the platform is introducing stricter controls over how communities manage their visibility and content ratings. Starting today, moderators must submit a formal request to switch a subreddit from public to private or change its maturity rating (SFW/NSFW).
Key Changes to Reddit’s Community Guidelines
- Immediate Approval for Small/New Communities: Subreddits under 30 days old or with fewer than 5,000 members will receive instant approval for type changes.
- 24-Hour Review for Larger Communities: Established communities with over 5,000 members will undergo admin review, with responses guaranteed within 24 hours.
- Temporary Restrictions Still Allowed: Moderators retain the ability to restrict posts/comments for up to 7 days without approval through temporary events.
Why Reddit is Implementing These Changes
Reddit states these measures aim to:
- Prevent platform-wide disruptions (like the 2023 blackout protests)
- Maintain consistent community experiences
- Ensure compliance with platform rules
The company emphasized in an r/modnews post that this isn’t about suppressing protest, but about maintaining stability. They’ve already consulted with the Mod Council (100+ experienced moderators) during development.
What This Means for Reddit Communities
- More Structured Changes: Permanent switches between public/private or SFW/NSFW now require formal requests.
- Faster Decisions for Growing Communities: New/small subreddits maintain flexibility during critical growth phases.
- Continued Moderation Tools: Temporary restrictions remain available for immediate community management needs.
Reddit confirms they’ve scaled their admin team to handle these requests 24/7/365, ensuring timely responses even for large communities. This update reflects the platform’s ongoing effort to balance moderator autonomy with systemic stability.
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