What is the reddit_session cookie?
reddit_session is a cookie set on the .reddit.com domain by Reddit when a user logs into their account or interacts with features that require an active session, such as commenting, voting, or messaging.
It typically appears right after login or when loading Reddit pages, including cases where Reddit content is embedded on other websites, such as posts or comments integrated into an article.
What data it stores
The cookie stores a session identifier used by Reddit's servers to associate browser requests with the authenticated user account. The exact value format is not publicly documented and may vary; it should not be treated as readable or reversible text.
The value is sent to Reddit's servers with every request to the .reddit.com domain, including from widgets or embedded content originating from Reddit.
What it is used for
Its main purpose is maintaining the logged-in state throughout a browsing session, so the user doesn't have to log in again on every page visited on Reddit.
For a website embedding Reddit content (for example posts or widgets), this cookie is set by Reddit as a third party, not by the site owner, and serves the Reddit service itself rather than the host site.
Does it require consent?
CookieFix classifies reddit_session as strictly necessary, since it serves a functional purpose (keeping the user logged in) and lasts only for the session. Under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive, cookies strictly necessary to provide a service explicitly requested by the user (here, an authenticated Reddit session) do not require prior consent.
Site owners should still list this cookie in their cookie policy, especially when embedding Reddit widgets or content, and inform visitors about the presence of this third party.
How to block or delete reddit_session
A visitor can delete or block this cookie from browser settings (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari — the per-domain cookie management section), which will log them out of their Reddit account or prevent interaction with embedded Reddit content that requires authentication.
For site owners embedding Reddit widgets or embeds, a CMP such as CookieFix can automatically block these third-party scripts from loading until consent is obtained, in cases where the embed also pulls in cookies from categories requiring visitor consent, such as statistics or marketing.
Frequently asked questions
No, it is classified as strictly necessary because it supports the login function on Reddit, so it does not require prior consent under ePrivacy/GDPR. It should still be listed in the cookie policy.
It is a session cookie, meaning it is automatically deleted when the user closes their browser.
You will be logged out of your Reddit account and will need to log in again on your next visit.
It appears when that website embeds Reddit content, such as posts, comments, or widgets, in which case the cookie is set by Reddit as a third party.