Reddit CEO Steve Huffman confirmed plans for paid subreddits earlier this year but now says that the initiative has been de–prioritized.
However, he says that the company still believes in the opportunity, suggesting that a Reddit paywall of some kind will be introduced at some stage …
Paid subreddits plan
Huffman first hinted at the plan last year, but didn’t go into any details.
We will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature.
This was widely interpreted to mean that paid subreddits, and he explicitly confirmed that earlier this year.
When asked if he could share information about the development of paid subreddits, Huffman said that “It’s a work in progress right now, so that one’s coming.” To a follow up question about new features coming to Reddit in 2025, Huffman said “Paid subreddits? Yes,” confirming they’re on the list.
Plans on hold for now
As Engadget spotted, Huffman has now said that the company does not view the plan as a priority, although it is still seen as a future opportunity.
To stay focused on what matters most, we’re shifting resources away from a few areas, such as work on the user economy. This includes what some have referred to as paid subreddits. It’s still an opportunity we believe in, but right now, we’re all-in on strengthening our core product, making Reddit the go-to place for search, and accelerating international growth.
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