Re:Reddit shares plunge as Google's AI search squeezes traffic
by IncreasePosts on Saturday October 31, 2026 @04:52PM
(#50320091)
There's also the overwhelming feeling that the comment section is overridden with bots. I started using reddit back in 2007 or so but have basically stopped
Re:Reddit shares plunge as Google's AI search squeezes traffic
by halJordan on Saturday October 31, 2026 @07:18PM
(#50321203)
Bots are a big problem. I eagerly await the expose ten years from now where we find out that reddit leadership refused to act on bots because they were afraid of losing the inflated numbers they brings
Re:Reddit shares plunge as Google's AI search squeezes traffic
by bigbadfeline on Saturday October 31, 2026 @09:08PM
(#50321831)
> Bots are a big problem.
That's the case everywhere, FB, YT, even on HN. Not all topics are equally affected but most anything of significance is.
> we find out that reddit leadership refused to act on bots because they were afraid of losing the inflated numbers they brings
Reddit's leadership is in he same boat as everybody else, I would suggest avoiding moral accusations when there are systemic conflicts of interest at play.
Re:Reddit shares plunge as Google's AI search squeezes traffic
by Henchman21 on Sunday November 01, 2026 @12:26AM
(#50322703)
I’m pretty convinced the bots are Reddit themselves. I used to enjoy posting in-character as multiple different characters on /r/VentureBros … but I stopped years ago now. Recent visits showed them essentially re-using and recycling my comments and persona as if new. So yeah, I think its Reddit themselves.
That's the case everywhere, FB, YT, even on HN. Not all topics are equally affected but most anything of significance is.
> we find out that reddit leadership refused to act on bots because they were afraid of losing the inflated numbers they brings
Reddit's leadership is in he same boat as everybody else, I would suggest avoiding moral accusations when there are systemic conflicts of interest at play.
- Anybody who doesn’t do immoral thing X will lose out in the market.
- Immoral thing X is immoral.
Allowing bots means you’re ethically problematic, even if a company that didn’t do it would go under.
Reddit will require an account to access
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=50295893