Reddit is blocking VPN users from its site
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Reddit has been blocking users who are using VPNs from its site unless they log into their Reddit accounts. Why is that? And what to do?

You cannot access reddit without either an account, or turning off your VPN. Effectively meaning that it’s difficult to access reddit privately, as they can either track you with IP or with account.

Even alternative frontends like RDX for reddit by @[email protected] don’t solve this issue.

I can’t believe more people haven’t left because of that.

  • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.world
    311·
    5 days ago

    In dark times of desperation, seeking help on the internet, I sometimes find myself tempted by the Reddit thread in the top of my search results.

    But I know that if I click it, the only thing that will happen is the familiar cross-armed Snoo popping up and telling me, “You’ve been blocked by network security.”

    It’s like a reality check for me: I don’t want to use Reddit, and Reddit doesn’t want me using it. So I’m going to need to either get better at searching for solutions, or try to solve problems in my own way.

    In the end, introducing more barriers to entry has simply reinforced my decision not to go to Reddit. Their blocking of VPNs has conditioned me to ignore Reddit links in search results entirely, mentally filtering them out the same way I do with ads/sponsored content.

    Nice work, Spez.

    BONUS: I just came across a Google support page where someone asks, “How do I Block Reddit and Quora results from all searches permanently”. The top answer is hilarious and sad.

    • RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world
      13·
      5 days ago

      This, and the response that demands you use the app to see the content, or of it’s marked NSFW for any reason, you cannot view it unless you login.

      Really irritating to use reddit anymore.

    • lonerangers1@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      5 days ago

      Can’t you ban the entire domain from the network at the router level? I think it would be very fitting to block them on your network in retaliation to them blocking you on theirs.

    • ackables@lemm.eeEnglish
      22·
      5 days ago

      Try using Kagi search. It’s a subscription based search engine, but it’s much more customizable and doesn’t serve ads or push shopping pages at you as solutions. You can save a filter on there to exclude results from

      Reddit and Quora if you don’t want to see them in your searches, but you can also specifically mention websites to whitelist if you find they give you good results for certain types of searches.

      I still use Google occasionally because the one thing Google is great at is recommending products to purchase.

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        53·
        5 days ago

        …or you could use one of these search engines that are not for profit.

        https://www.goodnet.org/articles/7-search-engines-that-give-to-charities

        People keep acting like Kagi, desite being part of the capitalist system and even celebrating how profitable they are, are the good guys. And I am tired of seeing people giving them free advertising on Lemmy.

        Here’s Kagi using some terrible marketing copy right out of freshman year business school to talk about how them making profits by people paying them to do what can be done for free benefits everyone:

        We are also thrilled to report that we have achieved profitability. This significant milestone is a testament to our sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility. It demonstrates that our approach of offering a premium, ad-free search experience resonates with users who support a service aligning with their values. Becoming profitable allows us to reinvest in the business, further enhancing our offerings and ensuring that we can continue to provide a top-notch search experience.

        https://blog.kagi.com/what-is-next-for-kagi

        • ackables@lemm.eeEnglish
          2·
          4 days ago

          You entirely missed the point of my comment. All the search engines you linked to in the article serve ads to generate revenue. Kagi does not serve ads because they generate revenue from subscription fees.

          Giving money to charity does not mean that you will get customizable search results.

          Two years ago, on June 1st, 2022, Kagi introduced a search engine that challenged the ad-supported version of the web. Kagi Search instead works for you, the user, and not an advertiser paying for your attention. At the time of launch, we did not know if anyone would pay for their search engine and web browser, but luckily, here we are two years later at the forefront of a movement to humanize the internet’s most-used products and put the user back in the driving seat.

          The first paragraph of the Kagi blog post you linked states exactly this fact.

          Literally no search engine out there is “free”. The “solutions” you linked sells your data to advertisers and gives part of it to charity.