Reddit splits its main feed into recommendations and followed communities
Reddit is splitting its main app feed into a “For You” section for algorithmic recommendations and a “Following” section for posts from subreddits users have joined. The change gives users a clearer choice between discovering new communities and keeping up with their existing subscriptions, while making Reddit’s main feed more like those on other social platforms.
The app will open to “For You” at first, then remember whichever feed a user last selected for later launches. Reddit says recommendations should help people find relevant conversations they might otherwise miss, and it is developing ways for users to give feedback and refine suggestions. The move aligns with CEO Steve Huffman’s aim to bring casual users back and surface relevant posts, including older ones; Reddit is also experimenting with audio and video versions of popular posts.
In short
- Reddit is separating recommendations from posts by joined subreddits.
- The app will remember which feed users last chose.
- User feedback is planned to help refine recommendations.
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The case for
A separate “For You” feed could help users discover useful conversations and communities beyond the subreddits they already follow, making Reddit easier to explore and helping relevant posts reach a wider audience. Keeping a distinct “Following” feed, with the app remembering users’ last choice, also preserves a straightforward way to catch up on familiar communities.
The case against
Opening the app to algorithmic recommendations may steer attention towards content Reddit chooses to promote, rather than the communities users deliberately joined. Recommendations can also make the feed feel less predictable or personal, and the change brings Reddit closer to the engagement-driven format of other social platforms; feedback controls may not fully address those concerns.
Explained simply
Reddit is a social platform where people post and discuss topics in communities called subreddits. Users can join communities to follow their posts, while Reddit can also recommend posts and communities based on what it thinks may interest them.
Steve Huffman is Reddit’s chief executive and has spoken about attracting more casual users and helping them find relevant conversations. Recommendations can bring posts from beyond a person’s joined communities into view, while a feed of followed communities offers a way to keep up with those subscriptions.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Reddit is adding a ‘for you’ feed for recommendations”.