Mods react as Reddit kicks some of them out again: “This will break the site”

Reddit is set to implement new moderation guidelines that will significantly alter the landscape for many of its volunteer moderators. Starting in December, a select group of users will be required to step down from their roles if they are moderating more than five subreddits that have a monthly visitor count exceeding 100,000. According to Reddit, these changes are designed to encourage a variety of perspectives and ensure that each subreddit is managed by a diverse set of moderators. However, the response from current moderators has been mixed. Many have expressed concerns over the potential impact on community management and the overall effectiveness of moderation. A recent update on the r/modnews subreddit outlined the forthcoming restrictions, which will require those not meeting the new criteria to either relinquish their moderation positions or apply for exemptions that are still in development. The adjustments, according to a Reddit admin known as Go_JasonWaterfalls, are essential for maintaining the platform’s unique communities. They emphasized that a system allowing unlimited moderation roles is neither sustainable nor beneficial for user diversity. In addition to the moderation limits, Reddit will also modify how subscriber counts are displayed. Instead of showcasing the number of subscribers, subreddits will now feature data on unique visitors from the past seven days, calculated from a rolling 28-day average. Notably, the older version of Reddit will not receive these updates but will still lose subscriber visibility. The implementation schedule indicates that by March 31, 2024, moderators must adhere to the new rules. Those who exceed the limits will gradually be removed from their roles, beginning with the communities where they are least active. Users affected by these changes can either apply for an exemption, step down for an “Alumni status” that removes their moderation capabilities, or transition into an advisory role with limited permissions to assist current moderators. The upcoming changes have left many moderators contemplating the future of their involvement on the platform.