Why Do Users Want Old Reddit Back?

When news broke out that Reddit was redesigning its website and changes would begin rolling out, most Redditors expected to enjoy a more enhanced user experience. I mean, isn’t that what redesigns are meant to do?

Well, Reddit’s new design was a bit controversial. Many users didn’t like it despite it having a sleek, modern feel.

They liked (and still do) the old version better, with the vast majority of them demanding for old Reddit to be brought back.

The Inside Story of Reddit’s Redesign

In 2018, Reddit was reported to have undergone a major redesign, which would improve user experience due to its refreshing visuals. Leading a team of 20 designers working for more than a year to modernize this website, CEO Steve Huffman noted that Reddit’s outdated interface resembled a “dystopian Craigslist,” which is one of the main reasons they felt the platform needed a redesign.

The redesign would introduce a new viewing model, including a “card view” similar to Facebook, a “compact view” for fast scrolling, and a “classic view” resembling the old Reddit.

The team replaced the navigation bar with a more intuitive hamburger menu and left posts opening in a lightbox rather than redirecting Redditors to a new page. The posting system was also made more user-friendly with a WYSIWYG editor. Other changes that followed include an enhanced moderator tool and new customization options for subreddit styling.

The primary aim of this redesign was to balance modernization with preserving the website’s legacy.

However, while the change didn’t interfere with Reddit’s core identity, long-term users have since expressed their skepticism about these changes. On the other hand, new users find the platform to be more accessible.

What Users Are Saying About Old Reddit vs. New Reddit

A post on r/help titled “New Reddit Redesign is Back and Still Awful” is among the posts that have sparked conversations about Reddit’s UI being terrible. Following the post, a user named jessebona noted that the website was still awful, and the thing they hated the most was that even the most compact version of the post layout was still an eyesore. It’s 100% designed for endless mobile scrolling style use rather than being pleasing to the eye.

Another Redditor named Obversa observed that “as an autistic and disabled Redditor* who relies on the desktop version of Reddit to use the platform, Reddit forcing desktop users to use the mobile version of the website may also be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To comply with U.S. federal law, Reddit must make sure that the website is usable by and accommodates people with disabilities”.

Prior to this post, Reddit announced it would create a better desktop experience for everyone. According to the design team, the decision was made after they had listened to users’ feedback.

Basically, what most Redditors want is for Reddit to have better information density and an easy-to-use interface. New Reddit seems to space things out in a way that looks modern, but it shows way fewer posts on the screen. Moreover, it has a bunch of wasted space and shows a bunch of stuff users don’t care about.

What is Reddit Used for? 

Reddit is a social media platform designed to host discussion forums called subreddits. It’s a popular platform where brands can find highly engaged, niche-specific communities in their influencer marketing campaigns.

Users or Redditors in these forums share content, ask questions, and engage with others on a wide range of topics, including movies, games, technology, fitness, etc.

Essentially, Reddit has an upvote and downvote system, which Redditors use to express approval or disapproval of posts and comments. The more interesting or helpful a piece of content is, the higher it rises to the top, making it appear more prominently. The whole idea behind this system is to filter out spam and low-quality contributions while surfacing the best content.

This social platform is a space where you can learn, share advice, ask questions, and keep yourself updated with the latest trends within a given niche.

How do Subreddits Work?

Well, subreddits are niche communities with their own members, rules, and culture. This is where users discuss specific topics. An excellent example is r/gaming, which focuses on gaming content and discussions.

If you want to post on Reddit, simply create an account and find the right subreddit for you. Locate the “Create post” tab, add a title, and write your content. Ensure you read the rules of that community before posting your content.

What is Karma on Reddit?

Karma refers to Reddit’s point system. It’s a reputation score that tells how much a Redditor has contributed to the community. It’s calculated based on upvotes and downvotes that your posts and comments have received. Higher karma means that other Redditors find your content valuable and interesting.

What is OP on Reddit?

Finally, OP is another term you must understand while using Reddit. It stands for “Original Poster” and refers to the person who created a post or started a discussion in a thread.

Other Redditors can reply to the post created by OP by saying, “OP made a good point.” In essence, they’re directly engaging with the author of that particular thread.

What Exactly is Old Reddit?

Also known as Reddit Classic, Old Reddit is the version before an overhaul was made on this platform.

Reddit came into the limelight in 2005. Back then, it had a simpler design and interface, which made it a popular platform to share ideas and opinions. The website got more complicated overtime, which has left users asking for the older version to be brought back.

However, when people refer to Old Reddit, they’re basically talking about the website version before 2018. It’s a version that strips away many modern graphics, presenting content in a more basic format.

What Users Are Saying About Old Reddit vs. New Reddit

Image source: Reddit

Some Redditors say the old version has better information density and an easy to use interface. Another Redditor said that New version spaces things out in a way that looks modern, but it shows way fewer posts on the screen. Moreover, it has a bunch of wasted space and shows a bunch of stuff users don’t care about.

Most of these Redditors prefer old Reddit’s layout and style. They find the new one ugly and more difficult to use.

In terms of ads, there’s a user who complained about the new Reddit being much slower, with obstructive ads. The user also added that comments and comment thread functionality seems worse on the new version.

What’s the Difference Between Old Reddit and New Reddit?

Over the years, Reddit has undergone different transformations, some of which are rather controversial. However  the major change that had every user talking happened when its layout was turned into “Old Reddit”.

Unlike the New version, which is image-focused, the old one was more text-focused. Moreover, it didn’t rely on JavaScript as much.

In the old version, subreddits were allowed to use custom CSS, which Reddit had promised to allow in the redesign but never did.

Another major difference between the two is that posting images inside comments isn’t available on Old Reddit unless you make a browser extension that makes them work.

Essentially, New Reddit is designed to offer more modern a d visual appeal to users, with its focus being on imagery. Moreover, it has infinite scrolling and allows you to use live video and image galleries.

So, if you want a simpler text-based experience, go for the old version. But if you want a sleek, modern feel, opt for the newer version.

How to Change to Old Reddit

Anyone looking to try out Old Reddit can change the URL from “www.reddit.com” to “old.reddit.com.” Simply go to the website page and click on your address bar.

Change the www subdomain to old and click Enter. Wait for the web browser to load the edited URL. E.g., change https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/ to https://old.reddit.com/r/gaming/.

Another way to change to Old Reddit if you have a Reddit account is to “Opt out of the redesign” in the settings. Using this method, you can permanently revert back to Old Reddit’s design, allowing you to see it even if you access the site normally.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Log into your account and click on your profile picture.
• Once the profile menu appears, you’ll see the “Edit Avatar” and “View Profiles” options.
• Scroll to the bottom and click on “Settings.”
• Go to the “Beta Tests” section and locate the “Opt out of the design. Revert back to Old Reddit for the time being” option.
• Click “Opt Out,” after which you’ll wait for the page to reload automatically to see Reddit in its old, deprecated design.

If You want to revert to New Reddit, click on the “Preferences” option in the top right corner of the webpage. Scroll down, click on “Use new Reddit as my default experience,” and check it.

Save the changes by clicking on the “Save options” tab at the bottom of the page.

Why Do Users Prefer Old Reddit Over the New Reddit?

Some of the features in the Old Reddit that make it appealing are:

1.    Reddit Enhancement Suite (RES)

This is a community-driven, unofficial browser extension for this social platform. It’s functions include:

• Night mode that takes you to Old Reddit dark mode.
• Keyboard shortcuts that allow you to navigate the site quickly.
• User tags that allow you to tag others with helpful information.
• Infinite scroll that allows new posts to automatically load without clicking.
• Live comment preview that allows you to see how your comments look as you type.

2.    User Interface and Navigation

As stated earlier, most users prefer Old Reddit for its simpler user interface, which offers a straightforward browsing experience. The features available in the old version’s interface include:

• A customizable layout that allows you to choose how you view content.
• Clear navigation bar that helps you find various categories and subreddits easily.
• A threaded comment system that enables you to follow conversations and respond to comments.
• Keyboard navigation that offers shortcuts to make broadcasting quick and efficient without leaving the keyboard.

3.    Community-driven Content

Old Reddit offers the best experience for those looking for community-driven content based on user intent. Community-driven content refers to content created and shared by members of specific subreddits. This content comes from user discussions, posts, and other types of content within subreddits.

The vast majority of users today say that Old Reddit offers the best in terms of community-driven content because it offers the following features:

• Subreddit sidebars: This allows moderators to add helpful links, resources, and guides to the customizable sidebar on the site. This facilitates the organic growth of conversions and engagement within specific subreddits.
• Comment navigation: Due to its interactive user interface, the old version makes it easy for you to comment, upvote, and downvote, encouraging user engagement and community contribution.
• Multireddits: Using these features, you can combine different subreddits into one stream, which encourages collaboration and promotes community engagement.
• Reader-friendly interface: The vast majority of users of this platform say that Old Reddit has a neat design. This makes it easy for them to browse and find what they want.

4.    Privacy and Security

While both New Reddit and Old Reddit offer similar security measures, many users say that old version has slightly better privacy compared to New one. This includes:

• No ads: Old Reddit is ad-free. This is why many users believe that New Reddit can expose them to potentially malicious content.
• HTTPS encryption: In Old Reddit, this feature comes by default. As such, your data is shielded from potential hackers, and keeps your online activity private.
• No snooping: A lot of users believe that New Reddit collects more data than the old version because of its more dynamic features. Old Reddit doesn’t track or store user data, which means your personal information remains confidential.

5.    Moderation Options

The moderation options on Old Reddit are designed for subreddit moderators to use. They include:

• Ban tools: This feature allows you to ban a single user or the whole site. After the ban, they can’t post or comment on posts.
• Modqueue: This feature permits moderators to manage reported, filtered, and auto-removed content. Moderators use it to keep their communities clean and enforce subreddit rules.
• Flair: This refers to the tag that helps categorize posts or identify a user’s role in the community. E.g., a verified user or a moderator.
• AutoModerator: This refers to the bot that lets the moderators set up automated moderation tasks. This includes rules for removing, filtering, and approving posts and comments based on account age and keywords. It helps enforce guidelines and assists the moderator with subreddit management.

How Use Old Reddit

Below are some tips to help you navigate the Old Reddit:

How to Create an Account on Old Reddit

If you want to experience Reddit’s classic features, start by creating an account. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Go to old.reddit.com and hit the “Sign Up” tab at the top-right corner.
2. Enter your username, email, and password.
3. Click on the “Create Account” option at the bottom.
4. Sign in by clicking on the “Log In” tab and provide your username and password.
5. Click on the “Log In” tab to access your account on Old Reddit.

Once you log in, you’ll be able to personalize your experience. You’ll also be able to upvote/downvote, save content, and comment.

How to Post and Comment on Old Reddit

To post,

1. Visit your favourite subreddit.
2. Select the “Submit a new post” tab.
3. Enter the title of your post.
4. Add content in the text box.
5. Select a suitable post flair (e.g., discussion, news, or memes)
6. Click on the “Submit” button.

To comment,

1. Go to the comments section at the bottom.
2. Add your comment in the text box below the post.
3. You can use Markdown syntax to style your comments. This includes bold, italic, strikethrough, and online code.
4. Click on the “Save” button to confirm your comment.

How to Browse and Search for Content on Reddit

First, go back to Old Reddit if you are using New Reddit by following the steps discussed above.

To browse and search for content, simply use the subreddit search at the top right corner of the page or use the advanced search button to search for specific content.

How to Customize User Preferences on Old Reddit

To customize your user experience, simply click on your profile icon and visit the “Preferences” tab at the top-right corner of Reddit’s homepage. You can change your name, password, and email. You can also set your privacy settings to choose who can send you private messages and change the appearance of notifications.

Final Thought 

According to some users, the reason they haven’t stopped using Reddit is that the Old Reddit is still available. The moment Reddit stops supporting it, they will leave.

The main reason why many people want the Old Reddit back is because it has a text-based design and offers a compact view of threads and subreddits. Its simplicity and lack of fuss make it popular.

If you are looking for ways Reddit can help you increase engagement, bolster your SEO, and eventually boost your online visibility, contact our digital marketing expert. You can also leave us a message on Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn.

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