"View forum posts" blocked for logged-out users?

[Merni]

When I try to use the "View forum posts" link on my nation while logged out, I get this error:
Is this intentional? I don't remember encountering this before.

[Reploid Productions]

Yeah, guests are no longer able to use the search tool. You have to be logged in to search now, sorry!

[Nakena]

Yeah, guests are no longer able to use the search tool. You have to be logged in to search now, sorry!

Is there a specific reason for the change?

[Frisbeeteria]

Is there a specific reason for the change?

Searches have high impact on the database and slow down the forums. Guests can and have used this fact to impair functionality. If you need to search the forums, log in or create an account.

[Tinhampton]

If this change is permanent, are there any plans for the gameside "View Forum posts" link at the bottom of every nation page to be made invisible to those who are logged out only?

Is there a specific reason for the change?

Searches have high impact on the database and slow down the forums. Guests can and have used this fact to impair functionality. [...]

Was this decision taken as a result of this weekend's spam attack (much like forumside embeds of images hosted on Discord were banned as a result of the pornspam outbreak of April 2020), or was the timing coincidental?