Reddit has long ignored mobile users. The "front page of the internet" only began taking the platform seriously since 2015.
This was when Steve Huffman reasumed control of the company’s day-to-day management and product development efforts
One of the ways Reddit is showing its attempt to embrace mobile users better, is by announcing a number of changes to its iOS and Android apps that are designed to make its mobile software more interactive and social.
And here, the biggest addition is the user-to-user chat function, which Reddit has been testing for a few months. Reddit releases the feature initially as part of the company’s mobile products in a public beta program.
The feature intends to be a real-time chat function, which could replace the old-fashioned PM system.
According to site administrators, the inception of the chat feature came when a massive April Fool’s mural r/place turned into a collaborative effort on behalf of so many users.
Previously, Reddit users have been relying on third-party clients. And here, the updates are like a basic progression for Reddit. While most other social media have direct messaging and other features packed with technology, Reddit is just working with the trends.
So the feature here are indeed inspired by others.
With the updates, Reddit also introduces some features that focus on media consumption - including how it handles photos, videos and GIFs - plus the addition of things like live comment feeds, in-app chat, tools for moderators and more.
For example, the Theater Mode option on iOS lets users browse media in what Reddit calls a “video-first” format. This allows users to open media, like original video, in a full-screen experience. They can also choose to view the content in landscape mode and swipe back and forth between media.
In addition to those, Reddit adds tools dedicated to community moderators, which include a 'mod mode' that eases moderators to approve or remove content. There is also a mobile version of Reddit’s desktop mod queue to handle content approvals and spam in bulk, and a mod management tool for adding new moderators on the fly.
These features, while considered relatively minor additions on their own, when combined, can make Reddit user experience better and more convincing.
Considering that Reddit finally sees mobile as its future, the additions are certainly welcome. These should help Reddit's goal in attracting more mobile sign ups.