It was the only search result relevant to my query.

This is not a Reddit problem. A lot of websites throw a fucking hissy fit if you have a VPN turned on, and I'm also over it.

There are a few communities on Reddit that aren’t represented on here. So I still go to Reddit some.

I've stopped casually browsing Reddit but sometimes it's the only way to get somewhat decent search results

I’m trying to convince people to check out Lemmy but it’s hard. People are so stuck in their ways. I’ll keep trying though

Good point, Reddit is the real problem.

"shouldn't happen all the time on VPNs

Safety and privacy for companies, but not for users. Just because it is, doesn't mean it has to, or even should be.

It happens all the time with me, I see it as a blessing.

I wear a fez now. Fezzes are cool.

Using a VPN to log into reddit can get your account shadowbanned instantly. Just an FYI to those browsing.

What's worse is it's infectious. If you log into your main account on a VPN, get shadowbanned and change accounts without clearing your history, changing IP and deleting all your cookies, your next account will also get immediately shadowbanned.

If you argue about politics, shadowban. If you make too many reports, shadowban. If you do anything on reddit that isn't the most milquetoast, bot-like comments on media and celebrities, you will likely get banned or shadowbanned.

The place is overrun with very convincing AI bots that even go as far as criticizing reddit to look convincing, but a large portion of users aren't even real anymore, maybe as high as half in some communities by my reckoning.

They don't want human users anymore. They announced a few years ago they were using reddit as a "test bed" for new AI models, they want a site that millions of people visit every day that looks like a social media site where users can communicate, but they want to be able to control what everyone is saying and discussing with a control panel to influence public sentiment with ease, and it's already working to fantastic effect.

Edit: most normal, commercial internet users can reset their dynamic IP address simply by unplugging your router for a minute. Also, if you try to register a reddit account with a "throwaway" email, or even many major domains like yahoo or msn, it can start you out shadowbanned permanently. They are looking for any excuse to silence users so their bots can control the popular narrative.