Why Reddit prevented me from accessing his mobile website every day?

I've recently developed a daily habit of visiting various subreddits to check out news like audio productions or Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But I was surprised to suddenly lose contact this weekend. Reddit wouldn't allow me to visit the site from my phone.

Instead, a new overlay appeared: “Download the app to continue using Reddit.”

There was no way to skip, bypass, or close the overlay. We did not provide any instructions or alternatives for continuing to use the mobile web version. What it did offer was a big button you could press to get the app. Doing so, he said, will allow the overlay to "better search" and "personalize your feed." These are two things I really don't want to do.

This block seemed odd, considering Reddit started out as a website and websites typically want traffic. Few people practice the practice of diverting traffic.

However, some services, including

I contacted the company and asked what was going on. According to a spokesperson, "We recently began testing a subset of our mobile users who frequently log out by prompting them to download the app after visiting the site. These users are already familiar with Reddit, and we've found that their experience is much better on the app. The app provides a more personalized experience and makes it easier for users to find communities that match their interests."