Jan 9, 2014 9:30 AM

Gallery: Fascinating Graphs Show How Reddit Got Huge by Going Mainstream

01
redditwide
A detail of Randy Olson’s stacked area chart of reddit. Fuuuuuuu. *Image: Randy Olson*
02
SubredditGrowthOverTime-2006
Here's 2006. In the site's early days, Reddit.com was the main attraction, but in February they added the first topical subreddits. *Image: Randy Olson*

03
reddit2007
2007\. Nerd-friendly subreddits thrive. A celebrity-centric Lipstick.com section is replaced by r/entertainment. *Image: Randy Olson*
04
reddit2008
2008\. The year of Reddit's "Cambrian Explosion," as Olson puts it. Why? This was the first point Reddit allowed users to create their own subreddits. *Image: Randy Olson*

05
reddit2009
2009\. The subredditification continues. Olson's not sure what caused the /r/reddit.com spike in the middle of the year. *Image: Randy Olson*
06
reddit2010
2010\. Olson calls this "the year gamers and porn invaded," partially thanks to an influx of users from the then-recently-defunct Digg.com *Image: Randy Olson*

07
reddit2011
2011\. The year of the memes. Also the year mods pulled the plug on the catchall subreddit r/reddit.com. *Image: Randy Olson*
08
reddit2012
2012\. The Reddit of today, dominated by images and other more mainstream, accessible content. *Image: Randy Olson*

Top Canon Promo Codes: 30% Off for October 2026

Save an extra 10% or 30% with Canon coupon codes, plus up to $1,600 on cameras, printers, and more this October 2026.

Gear Team

Top Disney Plus Discounts and Promos for October 2026

Cut your subscription costs with the latest active Disney+ bundle deals, verified student offers, and partner promotions.

Molly Higgins

LG Promo Codes and Coupons for October 2026

Save 20% with an LG promo code today, plus up to $1,000 off appliances, 40% off bestselling TVs and monitors.

Harry Rabinowitz

Top Home Depot Promo Codes: 30% Off in October 2026

Save up to 50% today with the latest Home Depot promo codes for appliances, power tools, and more this October.

Matthew Korfhage

Altra Running Promo Codes and Deals October 2026

Score big savings on Altra Running shoes with up to 50% off sale styles, 20% off select models, 10% off your first order when you sign up, plus free standard delivery on every purchase.

Boutayna Chokrane

Top eBay Coupons in October 2026

Save up to 60% on a selection of items at eBay, including electronics, home products, card games, car parts and more.

Molly Higgins

Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ Becomes ‘Assisted Driving’ in Europe

The automaker has been criticized for misleading drivers with the feature’s name. Now it’s renaming it for European regulators.

Aarian Marshall

Book Publishers Are Quietly Using More AI. Staff Are Revolting

Workers at three major publishing houses tell WIRED that LLMs are being used for publicity, cover art, back cover copy, and emails, as some execs push junior staff to champion the tech.

Adam Morgan

NASA Just Made Nearly 1 TB of Artemis II Data Available to the Public

The data drop includes photographs, audio, video, and astronauts’ notes that will be used to study the moon and prepare for future human missions.

Jorge Garay

The DOJ Is Weighing Perjury Charges Against Cassidy Hutchinson

The Justice Department is considering a perjury and obstruction-of-justice case against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide who testified against Donald Trump to the January 6 committee.

Hugo Lowell