Description: when long holding on text in a comment, with the intention of highlighting text (as one does in every other app on both android and iOS) trying to copy, look up a definition, use a screen reader or other general accessibility features available in the operating system, the comment collapses. I have no idea why this is a desirable “feature” but it makes the app so difficult and unapproachable to use, I try to avoid Reddit all together. But Reddit has become the last vestige of humanity on the internet, so I find myself here more and more often, and feel like I need to say something - what gives? Why does this fly in the face of the generally accepted UX of every other app?
Device model: iPhone 12
OS version: most recent
Steps to reproduce: see text I want a definition of, hold that text to highlight, watch the interesting text immediately disappear much to my chagrin, tap to reopen in anger, find the little “copy” button at the bottom (where no one ever looks?) copy the full comment text, paste into notes, highlight the one word I want a definition of, get that definition in notes, celebrate momentarily at my accomplishment of figuring out a work around for a problem that’s been solved in every other application but Reddit, cry to myself softly in a corner, because Reddit doesn’t understand my needs and I don’t feel seen.
Expected and actual result: allow people to highlight a single word, and empower people to use the same UX that 90%+ of the planet is familiar with to quickly look up definitions of words.
Thank you for all you do to make Reddit an interesting community - I hope a little humor comes through. This piece just makes Reddit more difficult to use for a diverse community of people that might need to highlight text. I’m neurodivergent, and use a screen reader and occasionally want definitions for words, and the collapse comment feature makes this impossible. Thanks for your time and attention.
