Reddit to become 'logged-in only' with testing outside US, PC Gamer reports

GG Brief Editorial Desk · AI-assisted, source attributed

PC Gamer reports that Reddit will become a "logged-in only experience" and plans to begin testing soon in regions outside the US before flipping the switch globally. PC Gamer reports CEO Steve Huffman said on an investor call that Reddit lost one million search engine referrals per week in October. PC Gamer reports the company blames AI-driven search results that display answers without links for that traffic loss. PC Gamer also reports that the exact details of the change are still being determined.

What happened: PC Gamer reports Reddit will require users to be logged in to view content, with testing to begin soon in regions outside the US and a planned global rollout thereafter.
Why it matters: PC Gamer reports CEO Steve Huffman told investors Reddit lost one million search engine referrals per week in October, and the company attributes that loss to AI search summaries reducing clickthroughs.
Context: PC Gamer reports this change is framed by Reddit as a response to AI-driven search results; the publisher also notes the company has not finalized the exact implementation details.
What next: PC Gamer reports the company plans to move quickly with regional tests outside the US before a global switch, but specific timing and rollout details have not been confirmed.

What changed

PC Gamer reports Reddit plans to require users to be logged in to view the site. The company intends to begin testing the logged-in experience soon in regions outside the US and then implement the change globally.

Before and after

PC Gamer reports CEO Steve Huffman said on an investor call that Reddit lost one million search engine referrals per week in October. PC Gamer reports Reddit attributes that decline to AI-powered search results presenting answers without linking to the original Reddit pages.

Limits

PC Gamer reports that the exact details of how the logged-in requirement will work are still being determined and that neither specific dates nor a precise rollout schedule have been published.