Tons of subreddits are banning or discussing to ban X links over usability and ethics

Update 03/02/25: In a playful yet pointed retort, Elon Musk has aimed his ire at Reddit after a number of subreddits decided to ban X links in protest of his alleged Nazi salute during Trump’s inauguration festivities. According to one user, they got a lifetime ban from the “comics” subreddit for questioning the claim of Musk’s infamous gesture after posting a humor comic and receiving over 5,400 upvotes. The story quickly went viral, racking up millions of views on X and fueling the fire.

Musk didn’t take the hit quietly. He fired back on X, labeling the situation “insane” and pointing out what he sees as Reddit’s inconsistency—championing free speech on one hand while silencing certain viewpoints on the other.

Reddit has been quick to clarify that there is no sitewide ban on X links. A spokesperson stressed that Reddit’s commitment to freedom of speech and association remains intact. They emphasized that while individual communities can set their own rules (for example, some subreddits already limit non-relevant social media links), Reddit Inc. itself hasn’t imposed any blanket restrictions on X content.

This distinction is key: the actions we’re seeing are the creative decisions of individual moderators and communities—not a corporate mandate from Reddit Inc.

Original article follows:

In a bold and somewhat unexpected twist, numerous Reddit communities are rallying against X, sparking a movement that could significantly alter the content landscape across the platform. What began as a trickle in r/hockey has now surged into a wave, with major sports subreddits like r/NFL, r/NBA, r/MLB, and even niche communities contemplating a ban on X links. The primary gripe? Users are fed up with X’s new login requirement that blocks content unless you’re signed in. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Reddit thrives on aggregated content, pulling snippets from all corners of the internet to fuel discussions. But now, when users click on an X link, they’re met with a frustrating login wall. It’s like being locked out of a party unless you have the secret handshake. For a community-driven platform like Reddit, this barrier is a big no-no.

In response, some subreddits are suggesting a workaround: post screenshots or embedded videos instead of direct links. This shift, if adopted en masse, could dramatically change how sports fans and other users interact with their favorite content.

The sports subreddits are the vanguard of this movement. On r/NBA, for instance, most of the top posts are X links. But that could soon change. If bans are implemented, the subreddit will rely more on alternative content sources, reshaping the user experience. Here’s the latest from the r/NBA mods:

After spending all day discussing this issue and the feedback in this thread at length, while also observing what has been going on across the site, we feel like we’ve come to an agreement on a decision and hope to have an announcement out for you guys early in the day tomorrow.

Thank you all very much for continuing to stay patient with us.

The discussion is still on over in NFL, MLB, MLS, US Soccer, Baseball, Liverpool FC, Manchester United, Chelsea FC, AFC Bournemouth, Aston Villa FC, Vancouver Canucks, although at this point the results are pretty much obvious going by the respective tallies as of this writing.

Reporters, team accounts, and websites accustomed to Reddit traffic might feel the pinch, as their viral X posts would lose a significant amplification channel. This isn’t just about user inconvenience; it’s about the ecosystem of online sports journalism and fan interaction.

But it’s not just the sports communities feeling the heat. Tons of subreddits like r/pcgaming, r/Halo, r/transformers, and even r/Xmen are banning, discussing banning, or refusing to ban x links. Their reasons? A mix of usability concerns and discontent with the direction X has taken under Elon Musk’s leadership.

For instance, r/pcgaming mods cited X’s increasing toxicity and poor moderation as reasons for their decision. They’re not alone. Communities like r/CalamityMod are outright refusing to “platform” X due to Musk’s controversial actions.

• r/pcgaming: Mods highlighted concerns over X becoming increasingly hateful and toxic, citing Elon Musk’s actions as a catalyst for the ban. “As of today /r/pcgaming has added x.com to the domain blacklist,” the mods shared on Reddit. They have allowed image posts and content from X to be submitted as screenshots.
• r/Halo: Feedback from the community indicated a preference for moving away from X due to usability issues and recent developments. They are considering banning direct links while allowing screenshots and links in comments for proof.
• r/transformers: The mod team decided to block X links, encouraging users to find alternative platforms like Bluesky, although they noted that X links were rarely used.
• r/CalamityMod: This subreddit banned X links following Elon Musk’s controversial actions, emphasizing a refusal to platform the site. They also addressed the political nature of the decision.
• r/greenbaypackers: The community has been actively discussing whether to ban X links, with mods taking a neutral stance and letting users decide. They emphasized the volunteer nature of moderation.
• r/BG3Builds: Mods cited recent events and expressed disdain for X’s direction, leading to a ban on X links. They noted that the ban would not significantly impact the subreddit due to the infrequent use of X links.
• r/leafs: The subreddit is considering user feedback to ban X links, with a formal decision expected soon. Mods urged users to stay on topic and avoid inflammatory discussions.
• r/Xmen: A poll is being conducted to decide on banning X links, with options ranging from banning all content to allowing screenshots. So far, the ban looks inevitable.
• r/smashbros: The community is discussing the impact of banning X links, considering the heavy reliance on the platform for connecting different parts of the community.
• r/Hearthstone: Discussions are ongoing about banning X links, following the example of other subreddits.
• r/PWHL: The subreddit banned X links and encouraged the use of other sites or sources, reflecting community consensus.
• r/waze: Effective immediately, X links are banned, with a preference for screenshots instead.
• r/F1Technical: The subreddit has also banned X links effective immediately, and like others, only screenshots are allowed.

In a significant move to assist the broader community, moderators of r/law have offered their expertise in setting up automods to remove X links for any subreddit wishing to participate in the ban. They highlighted that their policy, established due to X reinstating a problematic account, has been effective. They are encouraging users to promote alternative platforms like Bluesky, despite X’s restrictions on competitor links.

As X faces the chopping block, alternatives like Bluesky are gaining attention. Unlike X, Bluesky doesn’t demand a login to view content, making it a user-friendly option. Some subreddits are already suggesting Bluesky as a viable alternative.

This mass exodus from X isn’t just about login requirements. It’s a commentary on the broader state of social media. Many Redditors are disillusioned with the changes on X, from algorithmic timelines to the prominence of paid accounts in discussions.

Communities like r/BG3Builds have made it clear: they’re done with X’s antics. The sentiment is echoed in subreddits like r/greenbaypackers, where mods are taking a backseat to let the community decide. It’s democracy in action, Reddit-style.

On r/AskReddit, a heated discussion is ongoing about the possibility of a sitewide X link ban. The top comment, with over 15K upvotes, laments the hyper-monetized nature of modern internet platforms, expressing a desire for a return to a decentralized and less commercialized web.

Notably, not all opinions align with the movement. A post on r/TrueUnpopularOpinion criticizes left-wing Redditors for pushing the ban, labeling the effort as pathetic and driven by political animosity towards Elon Musk and Donald Trump. The post suggests that this movement represents a low point for left-wing users, accusing them of harboring excessive hate.

Meanwhile, r/conspiracy has its own take, alleging that the push to ban X links across sports subreddits is orchestrated by external forces. The subreddit claims an unusual surge in activity from users pretending to be sports fans who oppose Musk, speculating on potential corporate-driven brigading.

All the sports reddits are having a non organic amount of users want to ban x links. Subs that usually don’t have much activity suddenly have tons of users pretending to be sports fans that hate musk. The original city state and country reddits have already been taken over by them and fake censorship mods. Like a sub like Nashville seattle Canada will act far left. But new subs like nashvilletn seattlewa canada_sub will be more organic. I just wonder what company is doing the brigading.

By now, it’s obvious that this movement isn’t just a one-off event; it’s a signal of changing tides in the social media landscape. Reddit users are drawing a line, prioritizing usability, community values, and, frankly, their patience.

As the bans roll out, the Reddit experience is bound to shift. Will this lead to a richer, more diverse content pool, or will it create growing pains for users accustomed to the convenience of X links? Only time will tell.

For now, grab your popcorn and watch as Reddit communities continue to redefine their boundaries, one X link at a time. The revolution might not be televised, but it’s definitely being discussed.