Reddit's latest "improvement" leaves many users frustrated and angry

Reddit’s newest update has stirred up a storm among its users. The platform recently announced it’s ditching Private Messages (PMs) for Reddit Chat and inbox notifications, a move that’s left many feeling frustrated and downright mad. What was supposed to be a step toward a better user experience has instead sparked a wave of backlash across the site.

The change is pretty straightforward. Reddit wants to streamline its messaging by replacing PMs with its chat system over the next three months. The old PMs will stick around as a read-only archive, but all new private communication will happen through chat. Mod Mail isn’t going away, though messages there will now funnel into chat too. The company says this will make things faster and simpler, pointing to upgrades like pinned chats, spam filters, and quicker load times. They claim the chat system is built for the future, unlike the aging PM setup that’s been around almost as long as Reddit itself.

But users aren’t buying it. The comments on the announcement post tell a different story. “Old reddit is consistently faster than new reddit,” says user puhtahtoe. “How is a live chat feature simpler to develop, maintain, or use than an asynchronous messaging system?” Others echo the sentiment. Pippin_go_round vents, “Why is it always the features users like that get removed while the ones nobody wants get promoted?” Practical gripes pile up too. HangoverTuesday complains, “Chat doesn’t notify me of new messages when working via web, ever. I have to specifically open chat.reddit.com to see messages.” Even long-timers are fed up. BuckRowdy, a 13-year Reddit veteran, adds, “I love this site, but someone needs to wake these admins the fuck up.”

Reddit’s sticking to its guns, though. The product team insists the switch is worth it, promising a smoother experience with features like better organization and improved spam control. They say they’ve spent months talking to mods, developers, and users to get this right. Future updates, like unique links for chat messages and better accessibility, are supposed to sweeten the deal. The goal, they argue, is to focus on one solid system instead of juggling multiple outdated ones.

Still, the uproar suggests a disconnect. Many see this as Reddit forcing a clunky, unwanted feature down their throats while tossing out something they actually liked. The chat system’s spotty track record — unreliable notifications, poor mobile support, and a flood of spam — only fuels the fire. Some wonder if this is less about user experience and more about pushing a corporate agenda, maybe even nudging people toward newer, ad-friendly versions of the site.

That said, what are your thoughts on the change? Let us know in the comments section below.