It wouldn't surprise me. For some years, it has looked like they are gearing up to sell the site. With the latest idiotic rule change, it kind of confirms that. They are wanting to do anything that drives more users through their official website or app. Inflate users figures and price asked for Reddit goes up. Next step is to block ad blockers so more ad revenue? Who knows?
Didn't they use similar tactics to start Reddit? Bots, buzzwords, etc... to make the site look like it was busy?
Any serious investor/buyer must be concerned about recent activity. Unless you're someone like Musk. Maybe that's the plan, he will buy Reddit as well and combine it with Twitter, and create Twittit.