Imgur.io does not seem to be the same as Imgur.com

The web domain whois shows it is a cheap ~$2 domain name from NameCheap, only first registered in 2021, and is hidden behind a privacy proxy, something large companies rarely do. Nothing about the domain matches with the real imgur.com.

The imgur.io website's code makes direct use of Imgur.com's javascripts, images, and contents, but differs tremendously.

It's possible this is some sanctioned 'light' version of Imgur.com's website, possibly intended for use embedded insider an app, rather than in a browser....and maybe they contracted that through a third party, who is responsible for managing the domain...In that case, maybe the page works poorly when not view in the app it was intended.

Otherwise, it is suspiciously similar to what I'd expect a fake website to look like. Particularly a web portal strategy, profiting from ads, while showing the content of another popular website and pretending to be that site. Like a cardboard box with Starbucks written in marker, who sends Joseph down the street to the real Starbucks around the corner, to fulfill people's orders at the cardboard box's checkout counter.

In that case, it is likely that Imgur.com's image leaching protection is giving them low quality versions purposely.