Reddit is introducing a new AI-powered feature aimed at helping users quickly find answers from posts, the company announced in a post. Initially, only a small segment of Reddit’s U.S. user base will have access to the Reddit Answers feature, as part of an early test phase.
The new feature is accessible through a button on Reddit’s homepage, which directs users to a page where they can ask questions and receive responses powered by AI, similar to services like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
Unlike other AI-powered search tools, Reddit’s AI-generated answers are specifically sourced from content within Reddit itself, not the broader internet.
For example, when a user asks about modifying a particular BMW model, Reddit Answers will provide a list of bullet points, summaries, and quotes drawn directly from relevant Reddit posts. Users can also click on links in the answers to visit the original posts.
Having spent six months testing the feature, Reddit aims to enhance its search functionality with this tool, as noted by Vice President of Product, Serkan Piantino, in an interview with reporters.
Reddit Answers is designed to act as a bridge to the platform’s content, rather than replacing it, according to Piantino. The goal is for users to access more Reddit discussions, rather than simply relying on AI-generated summaries.
The feature will allow users to ask about any topic, with the exception of those considered NSFW (Not Safe for Work), Piantino explained.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman shared in October that the company sees search as a key area of focus for 2025, recognizing its importance in helping new users navigate and find their place on the platform.
Huffman emphasized that Reddit Answers serves multiple purposes: helping core users navigate the platform, answering their questions, and offering a potential monetization opportunity. He noted that the feature is one of the few that touches all aspects of Reddit.
The tool is built on Reddit’s existing search infrastructure, utilizing AI models from OpenAI and Google Cloud, Piantino revealed. Reddit has data-licensing agreements with both companies, allowing them to access Reddit’s data to improve their AI models.
As a result of changes within the company and updates to Google’s algorithms, Reddit has become one of the most visited sites through Google. This shift has led to an influx of new, unregistered users.
Despite Reddit’s overall user base growing with improved Google search results, the number of users browsing the platform without logging in has surpassed those who are logged in since the fourth quarter of 2023, according to Reddit’s financial reports.
This shift poses a challenge for monetization, as Reddit generates less revenue from logged-out users. In response, the company has been rolling out more personalized features to encourage logged-out visitors to sign up for accounts.
Huffman highlighted that “Reddit is the sixth most searched word on Google in the US this year,” with users specifically typing “Reddit” into the search engine. They are using Google to navigate to Reddit, showing strong intent to visit.
With Reddit Answers, the platform hopes to boost engagement directly on Reddit, reducing its reliance on Google for traffic. If the feature proves appealing, it could motivate new users to sign up, further strengthening Reddit’s user base.
Piantino emphasized, “It’s pretty clear that AI has a place in search, and that’s how we’re thinking about this as well.”
Currently, Reddit Answers is available only in English for iOS and desktop users, but the company plans to expand the feature to Android users and introduce additional language options in the future.
Stories You May Like