Reddit Launches AI-Powered Answer Tool to Enhance User Experience
Reddit has introduced a new AI feature called Reddit Answers. Reddit Answers is designed to deliver quick, concise responses sourced directly from the platform’s vast repository of user-generated content. Announced on Monday, this move is part of Reddit’s strategy to improve search capabilities and drive user engagement by leveraging AI technology.
The Reddit Answers feature allows users to ask questions like on platforms such as ChatGPT and Perplexity. Unlike those services, however, Reddit’s AI answers are based solely on content from its platform rather than a broader internet search. This distinction aligns with Reddit’s focus on becoming a hub for authentic, community-driven insights.
A Limited Test Rollout
Initially, the feature will be available to a select portion of Reddit’s U.S. user base as part of a testing phase. Accessible through a new button on the homepage, users can submit questions and receive AI-generated summaries in response.
Each summary includes bullet points, quotes, and tips derived from related Reddit posts, with clickable links directing users to the original content for further exploration.
Serkan Piantino, Reddit’s Vice President of Product, emphasized the tool’s role in bridging users to Reddit’s content rather than serving as a standalone replacement. “We want people to access more Reddit content,” Piantino explained. “It’s about building a bridge to the content rather than being a replacement for it.”
Built on a Robust AI Framework
The Reddit Answers feature is built on the company’s existing search architecture and incorporates AI models from OpenAI and Google Cloud. Reddit benefits financially through data-licensing agreements with both companies, which use Reddit’s data to refine their AI models. This partnership reflects Reddit’s broader push to integrate cutting-edge technology into its platform.
Steve Huffman, Reddit’s CEO, highlighted the potential of search as a core investment in 2025, describing it as a tool that “helps new users find their home on Reddit” and provides monetization opportunities. Huffman noted, “It’s one of the few products that touches everything — navigation, user questions, and monetization.”
Reducing Dependence on Google Traffic
Reddit is also using this initiative to decrease its reliance on Google for traffic. The platform has become one of the most visited sites through Google, but the rise of logged-out users has presented challenges for monetization. By providing features like Reddit Answers, the company hopes to encourage more users to create accounts, unlocking greater monetization potential.
Future Plans for Expansion
Currently available in English for iOS and desktop users, Reddit plans to expand Reddit Answers to Android users and introduce support for additional languages. Topics deemed “Not Safe for Work” (NSFW) are excluded from the feature, ensuring compliance with Reddit’s content policies.
As Reddit continues to enhance its platform, AI integration like Reddit Answers signals a shift toward making community-driven knowledge more accessible while fostering deeper user engagement. By providing personalized, AI-powered search tools, Reddit is positioning itself as a leader in the evolving landscape of online forums and AI-driven search solutions.
