# Reddit’s AI Gambit Targets Google Search Users with “Answers”

## Reddit’s AI Gambit Targets Google Search Users with “Answers”

Reddit is doubling down on its AI strategy, but not necessarily for the dedicated community members who frequent the platform. Instead, the social media giant is focusing on a different type of user: the “Seeker,” those who append “Reddit” to their Google searches to find authentic advice and opinions.

According to CEO Steve Huffman, Reddit sees two distinct user types: “Scrollers,” who engage with communities like r/sourdough or r/popculturechat, and “Seekers,” who are primarily driven by finding specific information. Reddit’s new AI-powered chatbot, “Reddit Answers,” is specifically designed to cater to the needs of these Seekers.

“Up until very recently, we haven’t built a product for them,” Huffman stated during the company’s first-quarter earnings call. “Those users are not coming to Reddit for a community in that moment. They’re coming for an answer. And I think we can [acknowledge] the use case that the user’s bringing us and be more effective at solving it.”

Since its beta launch in December, “Reddit Answers,” which provides verbatim answers and summaries from existing Reddit posts, has already amassed 1 million weekly active users. Last month, Reddit expanded the availability of Answers beyond the U.S., bringing it to users in Australia, the U.K., Canada, and India.

Currently, the feature resides in the app’s navigation bar as a separate experience. However, Reddit plans to integrate Answers more deeply into the platform throughout 2025. One key integration will be incorporating Answers into the primary search box, allowing users to input more complex queries instead of just keywords.

Huffman also mentioned exploring ways to introduce new users to Reddit through Answers, highlighting its potential to showcase the vast information available on the platform. This strategy aims to attract new users who may not be familiar with Reddit’s community structure but are seeking specific answers.

Another potential “point of entry” for Answers lies in external search, offering users a summarized and easily digestible version of Reddit content directly within search engine results. This is a strategic move that could shield Reddit from the unpredictable nature of Google Search algorithm updates, which previously caused “volatility” in user growth during the fourth quarter of 2024.

“We’re an open platform, and we want people to find Reddit content in [Google] Search,” Huffman explained. “Being open drives awareness and visibility. It can also create variability, and we do expect some bumps along the way from Google… This is expected in any year, but given that the Search ecosystem is under heavy construction, the near term could be more bumpy than usual.”

The announcement of Reddit’s AI-driven strategy, coupled with impressive financial results, fueled a surge in the company’s stock price. Reddit reported revenue of $392.4 million, a 61% year-over-year increase, an adjusted EBITDA of $115.3 million, and daily active unique users of 108.1 million, marking a 31% year-over-year increase. The company projects revenue between $410 million and $430 million for the second quarter, with adjusted EBITDA estimated between $110 million and $130 million.

By focusing on the “Seeker” segment through its AI initiatives, Reddit is aiming to solidify its position as a go-to resource for authentic, community-sourced information, all while mitigating its dependence on external search engines.