Exploring Old Reddit Features Privacy And Navigation Options

Introduction

Reddit, the self-proclaimed "front page of the internet," is a news aggregation website that hosts content submitted by users and is organized into communities called "subreddits." While the platform has undergone significant redesigns over the years, many users continue to prefer the original interface known as Old Reddit. This article examines the features, privacy benefits, and navigation options of Old Reddit based on available information. It's important to note that the provided source material does not contain information about free samples, promotional offers, or product-related freebies on Reddit, as the focus is instead on the platform's technical and user experience aspects.

What is Old Reddit?

Old Reddit refers to the original interface of the Reddit platform before the major redesign that launched in April 2018. Despite the introduction of a new interface, Reddit maintains the old.reddit.com domain, allowing users to access the classic version of the site. As of May 15, 2024, the dedicated login flow was removed from the old domain, though site administrators have stated they have "no plans" to remove the old domain entirely.

The redesign was intended to improve Reddit's appearance and make it more accessible to a new generation of users. The new site features a hamburger menu for navigation, different viewing options, and new fonts to help users distinguish between Reddit posts and external links. The redesign also aimed to address technical challenges arising from Reddit's growth by leveraging artificial intelligence and other modern digital tools.

Key Features of Old Reddit

User Interface and Navigation

Old Reddit offers several features that many users prefer over the newer version:

• Comment Navigation: The interactive user interface of Old Reddit makes it easy for users to comment, upvote, and downvote content, encouraging user engagement and community contribution.
• Multireddits: This feature allows users to combine different subreddits into one stream, promoting collaboration and community engagement.
• Reader-Friendly Interface: Many users report that Old Reddit has a neater design that makes browsing and finding content more straightforward compared to the newer version.
• Simpler Text-Based Experience: For users who prefer a more straightforward, text-focused experience rather than the dynamic features of the new interface, Old Reddit provides an alternative.

Privacy and Security Considerations

Both Old Reddit and New Reddit offer similar security measures, but many users believe the older version provides slightly better privacy protection:

• No Ads: Old Reddit is ad-free, which some users believe reduces exposure to potentially malicious content that might appear in the new version.
• HTTPS Encryption: This feature comes by default in Old Reddit, shielding user data from potential hackers and maintaining privacy.
• Data Tracking: Many users believe that New Reddit collects more data than the old version due to its more dynamic features. Old Reddit reportedly does not track or store user data, helping to keep personal information confidential.

Moderation Options

Old Reddit provides several moderation tools designed for subreddit moderators:

• Ban Tools: Moderators can ban individual users or entire sites, preventing them from posting or commenting.
• Modqueue: This feature allows moderators to manage reported, filtered, and auto-removed content, helping maintain community standards and enforce subreddit rules.
• Flair: Moderators can use tags to categorize posts or identify user roles within the community, such as marking verified users or moderators.
• AutoModerator: This automated bot enables moderators to set up automated moderation tasks, including rules for removing, filtering, and approving posts and comments based on account age and keywords.

How to Access and Use Old Reddit

URL Method

Users can access Old Reddit by modifying the URL in their browser's address bar:

1. Navigate to any Reddit page (e.g., https://www.reddit.com/r/gaming/)
2. Change the "www" subdomain to "old" (e.g., https://old.reddit.com/r/gaming/)
3. Press Enter to load the Old Reddit interface

Account Settings Method

For users with a Reddit account, there is an option to permanently revert to Old Reddit through account settings:

1. Log into the Reddit account
2. Click on the profile picture in the top right corner
3. In the profile menu that appears, scroll to the bottom and click on "Settings"
4. Navigate to the "Beta Tests" section
5. Find the option "Opt out of the design. Revert back to Old Reddit for the time being"
6. Click "Opt Out" and wait for the page to reload

To revert to New Reddit, users can click on the "Preferences" option in the top right corner of the webpage.

Browser Extensions and Scripts

Several browser scripts and extensions are available to enhance or modify the Reddit experience:

• Bring Back Old Reddit JS: This script always redirects to Old Reddit, avoiding Reddit's redesign
• Reddit Promotion Blocker: Blocks all promoted advertisements on Reddit
• Old Reddit Auto-Expand Gallery & Show Thumbnails JS: Automatically expands galleries and maintains thumbnail grids for easy image switching
• Reddit - Restore Subscribers Counter JS: Restores the subscriber counter on Reddit
• Reddit - Hide Sidebar JS: Automatically hides the Reddit sidebar with a toggle button

Reddit's Evolution and Future Directions

Reddit has undergone significant changes since its inception, including a major redesign in April 2018 and a comprehensive rebrand in November 2023. The rebrand included a new logo, typeface, brand colors, and an updated version of Reddit's mascot, Snoo—a time-traveling alien with an oval head, pom-pon ears, and an antenna, created in 2005.

These changes were part of Reddit's preparation for a potential 2024 IPO and in response to its expanding user base and global reach. Despite these updates, Reddit maintains its position as the 7th most trafficked site in the world, though it has faced criticism for an outdated UI, lack of feature discoverability, poor navigation, and content browsing flow issues compared to similar user-generated content sites like Pinterest and StumbleUpon.

Conclusion

Old Reddit continues to be a popular choice for users who prefer its simpler interface, enhanced privacy features, and familiar navigation options. While the platform has evolved significantly since its early days, the availability of old.reddit.com ensures that users can still access the classic version if they choose to do so. The features of Old Reddit, including its comment navigation, multireddit functionality, and moderation tools, cater to users who value a more straightforward browsing experience.

For those who wish to maintain access to Old Reddit, both URL modification and account settings options are available. Additionally, browser scripts and extensions can further customize the Reddit experience to match user preferences. As Reddit continues to grow and potentially prepare for an IPO, the coexistence of both old and new interfaces suggests that the platform recognizes the diverse preferences of its user base.

Sources

1. Outreach Bee
2. Henry Y. Zhang
3. QR Code Dynamic
4. Wikiwand
5. Greasy Fork