Reddit Bans and Toxicity on Voat
Published:Dec 26, 2025 19:13
•1 min read
•ArXiv
Analysis
This paper investigates the impact of Reddit community bans on the alternative platform Voat, focusing on how the influx of banned users reshaped community structure and toxicity levels. It highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics of user migration and its consequences for platform health, particularly the emergence of toxic environments.
Key Takeaways
- •Reddit bans led to user migration to Voat, impacting its community structure.
- •Two regimes of impact were identified: Hostile Takeover and Toxic Equilibrium.
- •Toxicity increased significantly despite newcomers rarely achieving central positions.
- •Migration structure (organized vs. dispersed) influenced outcomes.
- •Platforms have a limited intervention window to mitigate negative effects.
Reference
“Community transformation occurred through peripheral dynamics rather than hub capture: fewer than 5% of newcomers achieved central positions in most months, yet toxicity doubled.”