In a significant move that alters a core part of its identity, Reddit is phasing out the r/popular feed from the homepage for new users. This decision marks a clear departure from the platform's long-standing role as the "front page of the internet" and signals a push towards a more personalised experience under CEO Steve Huffman's leadership.
Why Reddit Says "r/popular sucks"
Steve Huffman did not mince words in a company announcement on Monday, bluntly stating that "r/popular sucks." He explained that the feed, which aggregates the most-liked recent posts across the platform, fails to represent the true diversity of Reddit's vast network of communities. According to Huffman, it creates a misleading impression of a single, monolithic Reddit culture, when in reality the platform is a collection of vastly different communities, each with its own unique rules, humour, and interests.
"You have different interests than I do, and your Reddit should look different from mine," Huffman wrote. "We've outgrown a singular front page for everyone." The r/popular feed will now only remain visible to users who actively engage with it regularly. For others, especially new users, it will no longer be the default view.
Company spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt confirmed that these changes will begin rolling out to some users this week. The r/popular feed was originally made the default for logged-out users back in 2017.
New Rules to Curb "Powermods"
Alongside the homepage overhaul, Reddit is introducing new restrictions for moderators who oversee large communities. The platform aims to address concerns about "powermods"—individuals who control numerous popular subreddits. Starting March 31, 2026, a single user will be limited to moderating a maximum of five communities that each see over 100,000 weekly visitors.
Reddit estimates that this policy change will affect less than 0.1% of active moderators. This move is part of Reddit's broader effort to refine community engagement and decentralise control within its ecosystem.
The Bigger Picture for Reddit's Future
These strategic shifts come as Reddit continues to solidify its position as a social media giant. The platform currently serves approximately 116 million daily visitors and has seen its stock price surge by around 44% over the past year. The removal of the r/popular default is the latest in a series of adjustments; the company previously removed public chat features in October to encourage smaller, more focused group conversations.
The end of the default r/popular era underscores Reddit's evolution from a one-size-fits-all content aggregator to a more customised, community-driven network. The focus is now squarely on helping users build a feed that reflects their specific passions, rather than presenting a homogenised view of what is broadly trending.
