Reddit Rolls Out Website Updates for Logged-Out Users

Reddit is rolling out a number of updates to its website for logged-out users, including improved performance, a more helpful search results page, and better communities and related post suggestions.

The company said in a blog post on Monday that people are coming to the Reddit website from different search engines to find relevant content on a topic posted by users, so it is improving the experience for the folks visiting the service occasionally or for the first time.

Improved Search Results Page and Performance

Reddit has simplified the search result page on the site with a new layout. On mobile, the search result page now prioritizes posts over other elements, enhancing the user experience. The company has also made design changes to the landing page to allow users to browse through content without searching.

Additionally, Reddit is adding performance adjustments to the logged-out site experience to make its pages load twice as fast as before. This will significantly enhance the overall browsing experience for users.

Enhanced Design and User Experience

On desktop, Reddit’s new site shows a sticky sidebar, enabling users to scroll through the content independently and highlighting relevant communities or posts. When logged-out users visit a subreddit’s landing page, they will see information about the community, such as the community banner, description, number of members, and rules in the sidebar. The company specified that while many subreddits have custom styling, logged-out users won’t see that at the moment.

The platform has also made design changes to increase engagement and readability. The posts now have increased title sizes with an improved inset for images and videos, creating a visually appealing experience for users.

Mobile and Desktop Updates

The latest updates will be available across both mobile and desktop web experiences, providing a consistent user experience across different devices. However, some users have pointed out an annoying popup on the mobile site that asks users if they want to open a post in the app.

Further Plans and Feedback

Last week, Reddit announced that it is testing its own verification mark through ‘official’ badges with limited accounts. The platform also promised to introduce new accessibility features for its apps in August to make them screen reader-friendly. However, these changes have received mixed reactions from users protesting Reddit’s API changes, which forced many third-party apps to shut down.

Reddit’s change to accommodate users without an account is a welcome change, especially considering Twitter briefly forcing users to have an account to see any tweet. As users increasingly use Reddit as a search engine, the platform’s change to its web experience provides another surface for the company to show ads and focus on profitability.

Conclusion

Reddit’s updates for logged-out users aim to provide a better browsing experience, improve search functionality, and enhance user engagement. With performance improvements, simplified layouts, and design enhancements, Reddit is catering to the needs of both occasional and first-time visitors. These updates will be available on both mobile and desktop platforms, ensuring a consistent experience across devices. However, user feedback will be crucial in shaping future improvements as Reddit continues to evolve its web experience.