Reddit is redirecting anonymous mobile browsers to its native app, blocking the mobile site for users who aren’t logged in. The company says the test gauges whether a dedicated app offers a better experience for casual visitors. After clearing cookies, the site works again, indicating the block depends on stored session data. The move mirrors tactics used by Facebook and Twitter.

Reaction across Reddit’s forums has been negative; threads in r/bugs, r/help and r/enshittification pile up with complaints that the platform is “intentionally breaking” its web interface. Media outlets such as Futurism echoed the sentiment, framing the move as a forced migration toward an app‑centric model that many users find intrusive. Many users report that the forced redirect disrupts their reading flow and raises privacy worries.

The push aligns Reddit with larger tech players that favor app ecosystems, a strategy that can increase user engagement but also raises concerns about platform lock‑in. Advance Publications, the parent’s largest shareholder, stands to benefit from higher ad revenue tied to longer session times. For users who value open‑web access, the only recourse remains clearing cookies or abandoning the service.