Reddit’s AI Strategy: Targeting Google Users Beyond Just Community Scrollers

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman recently highlighted the distinct types of users engaging with the platform: Scrollers and Seekers. Understanding these user categories is crucial as Reddit evolves its offerings, particularly with the introduction of its innovative AI-powered tool, Reddit Answers, designed specifically for the Seekers.

Understanding Scrollers and Seekers on Reddit

Reddit is a hub for diverse discussions, but users generally fall into two categories:

• Scrollers: These users engage with community conversations about their passions, ranging from r/sourdough to r/popculturechat.
• Seekers: This group typically turns to Google, often adding “Reddit” to their searches to find genuine advice and opinions from the community.

Introducing Reddit Answers: A New Tool for Seekers

According to Steve Huffman, the Reddit Answers feature is tailored for the Seeker audience. It utilizes AI to deliver direct answers and summaries from existing posts, and initial data shows promising engagement:

• Over 1 million weekly active users since its beta launch in December.
• Expanded availability into countries like Australia, the U.K., Canada, and India.

Future Developments for Reddit Answers

Currently, Reddit Answers exists as a separate experience within the app, but plans for deeper integration are underway. Huffman noted key developments for 2025:

• Integrating Answers into the primary search feature, allowing users to enter full queries.
• Utilizing Answers as an entry point for new users to discover relevant content on Reddit.
• Enhancing the external search experience, providing users with summarized answers directly from Reddit.

Addressing Challenges with Google Search

Huffman also acknowledged the challenges Reddit faces due to fluctuations in Google Search algorithms. A recent change impacted user growth, causing concerns among investors:

“We’re an open platform, and we want people to find Reddit content in Google Search,” he said, emphasizing the importance of visibility while acknowledging the inherent unpredictability.

Strong Financial Performance

Despite recent challenges, Reddit’s stock surged in after-hours trading, bolstered by strong earnings. The company reported:

• Revenue: $392.4 million, reflecting a 61% year-over-year increase.
• Adjusted EBITDA: $115.3 million.
• Daily Active Unique Users: 108.1 million, marking a 31% year-over-year growth.

For the upcoming quarter, Reddit anticipates revenue ranging from $410 million to $430 million and an adjusted EBITDA between $110 million and $130 million.

For more information on Reddit’s features and updates, visit their official page at Reddit.

This rewritten article is optimized for SEO and formatted for better readability with appropriate HTML tags. It includes internal and external links for further exploration of related content.