Technology

They want more users to make accounts. Blocking nsfw content to non-users was a start but now they can make a bigger push.

I mean the bots don't help. The sheer number of obviously AI subreddits and response farms is crazy. There's like 6 prominent "Am I the Assholes", a bunch of text message "screenshot" subreddits which have always been easy to fake, and a bunch of "explain the joke" ones too. I stop reading halfway through most text posts and comments because it's obviously AI

I got ecchi dolls (China knockoff, cheaper but decent) from a site called OtakuCrate once, they've emailed me to confirm that the R18 loot is back under new US regulations, which means future orders just require your legal identification. I live in Europe, so there's no damn way I'm conforming to any privacy-invasive law, and I'm also not stupid.

It can be both. Reddit has a history of fabricating conversations. The way they sell advertising implies a certain level of engagement from their user base which can lead to bots pushing products in the form of reviews or by mention.

I think it's worth noting that Reddit, at one time, did have third party bot protection; however, it only protected their advertising. I can only imagine what the rest of their traffic looks like, but I would not be surprised if they were using bots of their own.

Like you said, they can make some money selling your information but they can also control the narrative how they choose.

100%. Reddit loves bots that they control, like the ones that go back and constantly re-post years old top rated, traffic driving content, complete with a replica of the entire comment section posted by hundreds/thousands of bots, because they can use it to do their bidding in pushing agendas and/or driving traffic/engagement.

Sometimes I have to return for various reasons. God. Some of them have absolutely bled over to the fediverse, but holy HELL are the people and the culture there messed up. I don't know if it's getting worse or I'm healing.

Too late ~

Also reddalso Reddit: since all users have left, most of our traffic now consists of posts from AI bots that we're really really blocking!!

Someone could create a forum for bots to discuss with each other. Call it Redbit. The bot could generate every possible questuon to ask and even steal questions from quora, reddit, Xitter, and every other forum, various AI bots can then reply to those questions with the best replies.

It can help put reddit out of business. Since most people are just looking for answers when they search google and get a reddit hit, most people don't even bother to sign for reddit and etc.