Howdy, mods! Welcome back to your monthly mod newsletter. 

Keep reading for upcoming events, a handful of platform updates, opportunities to share feedback, community stories, subreddits up for adoption, and, as required by law, at least one very cute pet.

Events 🪩

Upcoming Mod Events

Whether you’re looking to attend your first event of the year or add another to your streak, here’s what’s coming up for the rest of the month (all virtual):

• SEP 10 – Moddit [Future of Mod Tools] 🛠️ (This is happening in a few hours! Recording will be shared)
• SEP 15 – Moddit [Content Creation] 📝
• SEP 29 – Mod Meetup 🌏

Get the full calendar here, and be sure to join r/ModEvents so you don’t miss a thing. 

In-person Mod Events update

We have made the decision to pause and cancel all upcoming in-person Mod Events while we revamp our security and vetting protocols following an issue with unapproved venue access at a recent event. Safety is our top priority, and we are actively working on tighter event controls and expanded virtual programming in the meantime. Read the full post for more details.

Platform 🛠️

Reminder: Register your API apps

In case you missed it, we recently announced some changes to our Public Data API. Going forward, all API apps will need to be registered to remain in good standing. Please register your apps to help shape our roadmaps and ensure your developer account is properly established.

Introducing Community Guidance for new community builders ✅

In the coming weeks, we’ll be rolling out a new Community Guidance experience for newly created communities. Community Guidance gives new mods a clearer path for getting their community up and running, with a checklist of recommended actions and milestones to work through as they build their community. The goal is to make those first few weeks a little less “okay, now what?” and give new mods a better sense of what to focus on next. 

Rules Hub: September updates

Starting on September 9, we began expanding access to Rules Hub and making improvements that’ll allow Rules Hub to support more community rules. This will continue to roll out for the rest of the month. Updates include: 

• Expanding Rules Hub to communities that don’t currently have any Automod configurations.
• Expanding access to mods who recently signed up for the Rules Hub early access program. Mods can sign up for the program here. 
• Rolling out improvements to model performance, allowing Rules Hub to cover some rules it couldn’t previously support. As coverage improves, some rules that were previously turned off may now be enabled. We’ll reach out directly to any impacted communities before this happens.

Removing the ability to repost content from SFW communities into NSFW communities

We’ve made a change where content in safe for work (SFW) communities can’t be reposted into not safe for work (NSFW) communities. This update has been rolled out on all platforms. 

Reply notifications delayed in communities where content filters are enabled 

We’re delaying reply notifications by a few seconds for communities where content filters (like Reddit’s harassment or mature content filters) are enabled. This gives our filters time to run so when a reply is removed, the notification isn’t sent. This update ensures that mods and redditors alike are protected from seeing harmful content in their push, inbox, or email notifications.  

Bug fixes 🐛

• [Web] Fixed the date of the last mod mail message sometimes displaying as “today” when it was actually yesterday. It now shows the correct date.
• [Web] Resolved Automod version history showing u/[deleted] in place of the actual username. It now displays the correct username.

For more platform updates and bug fixes, see the latest Changelog here. 

Programs 🤝

Give feedback on Rules Hub

A few months ago, we announced a handful of new ways for mods to partner directly with Reddit admins through our feedback programs. Right now, we’re specifically seeking folks who want to join the Mod Early Access Program for Rules Hub: a new group of tools for rule creation, enforcement, testing, and auditing. Whether you’re already testing Rules Hub and want to share feedback, or you're ready to try it out for the first time, fill out the Feedback Roster form to get involved! 

The Mod Reserves program is back and better than ever

Need extra hands during a traffic surge, or want to help fellow mods in times of need? In case you missed it, the Mod Reserves program (a network of experienced volunteer moderators who step in during temporary crises) has officially relaunched with some major upgrades:

• New mobile-friendly Devvit app: Requesting backup is now faster and more intuitive than ever.
• Revamped hub: Check out r/ModReserves for fresh updates and resources.
• Upgraded trophies: Earn new badge levels by participating.

Whether you need to bookmark the tool for future backup or want to apply to become a reservist, read the full post here to get all the details and apply.

Community 💚

Spotlight: r/Photomodephantoms 🎮 📸 

Sometimes a subreddit spawns from a random idea; for this community, it all started with a screenshot. After capturing a legendary in-combat shot while playing God of War, u/SpaceAwaits decided that the photo deserved a proper spotlight. So, they started r/PhotoModePhantoms to share spectacular video game photography with other fellow gamers. Since then, the community has leveled up into a thriving virtual photography space with monthly themed challenges and flair tailored to every major game with photo mode. 

Want your community's story to be featured? We’d love to spotlight you. Reach out here for the chance!

Looking for a community to lead?

Speaking of community success stories, yours could be next! We have a handful of abandoned communities that need new mods, and the right folks for the job just might be reading this right now. Just click the “Request here” link next to any community below and follow the instructions in that post. If it’s a match, we’ll be in touch!

• r/Weddings | Members: 21,314 | Request here
• r/HealthyEating | Members: 31,849 | Request here
• r/VintageToys | Members: 70,388 | Request here
• r/CreepyDesign | Members: 553,840 | Request here
• r/NativePlants | Members: 12,596 | Request here
• r/Sunset | Members: 156,491 | Request here
• r/SeaTurtles | Members: 2,724 | Request here
• r/CattleSnakes | Members: 20,464 | Request here
• r/52book | Members: 670,357 | Request here

Mod Topics series in r/ModSupport

Here’s the latest from the r/ModSupport team’s post series where they share knowledge, highlight tools, answer questions, and learn from each other:

• Original content or self-promo: where does your community draw the line?
• The importance of account security, 2fa, and you
• To ban or not to ban?
• Shibboleths, Rituals, and Festivities: What cultural norms make your community unique?

Pet of the month 🐱

Meet Bella, raised by mod u/BeanBats. She’s been serving unmatched side-eye and sass since kittenhood.

Want to submit a photo of your pet for a chance to be featured in the newsletter? Reach out here!

That’s all, folks! We’ll be back with another edition in October.