Reddit is currently considering allowing its users to launch paid subreddits to feature "exclusive content or private areas."
First reported by The Verge, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman hinted at plans to open more premium features for "new use cases" and new types of experience on the online forum board.
Huffman, however, assured that plans for these gated communities would not "cannibalize" their free counterparts as the "existing, altruistic, free version of Reddit will continue to exist and grow and thrive just the way it has."
Reddit reported that it has already tested some of the planned features in several subreddits through its premium community features it claimed "users loved."
Reddit Opens Path for More Premium, Paywalled Content
The planned launch of paywalled communities is only the latest move from Reddit to introduce more premium content on the platform following its public opening earlier this year.
The platform has earlier partnered with several major sporting leagues to promote more exclusive content on their respective subreddits, as well as provide space for its partnered brands and advertisers.
Reddit has also intensified its policies around AI web crawlers to leverage its user-generated content for licensing agreements with AI firms.
So far, the platform has already landed a deal with Google to allow it to train its newest AI models from its user content.
Huffman hinted at similar premium features to further "enhance" the platform's visibility in search results, allowing for more visits to Reddit.
Read also: Reddit Becomes a Public Company: Sweeping Changes to Expect for Redditors, Community Forums
Reddit Experiences Daily Active User Surge Following IPO-Led Changes
So far, the new features and deals on the platform have led Reddit to experience bigger user growth since its IPO.
Reddit earlier reported that it had recorded over 91.2 million active daily users in the second quarter of 2024, a 51% jump from its records last year.
Its net revenue has also doubled to $281.2 million this year as it poses to compete with other prominent social platforms.
