Throughout Reddit’s Q2 2024 earnings name, CEO Steve Huffman revealed the corporate is exploring implementing AI-powered search outcomes on its platform.
Although particulars stay restricted, this function may improve content material discovery.
Huffman acknowledged through the name:
“Later this yr, we are going to start testing new search consequence pages powered by AI to summarize and advocate content material.”
He advised this might assist customers discover info on merchandise, reveals, and video games and uncover new communities.
Reddit’s consideration of AI search aligns with broader trade developments, as many tech firms combine AI capabilities into their merchandise.
Monetary Context
This announcement was made alongside Reddit’s Q2 2024 monetary outcomes.
The corporate reported 54% year-over-year income progress, reaching $281.2 million for the quarter.
Consumer progress additionally elevated, although particular figures weren’t offered on this preliminary report.
Potential Challenges
Whereas AI-powered search may enhance content material discovery, its implementation could face hurdles.
These may embody technical challenges, person adoption considerations, and questions on how AI-curated outcomes may have an effect on the visibility of sure communities or content material sorts on the platform.
Reddit hasn’t offered a particular timeline for testing or rolling out this function, nor has it shared particulars on how it could be developed or carried out.
Reddit Blocks Most Search Engines
Any change to Reddit’s on-site search is notable, because it’s one of many solely methods to go looking the web site.
Reddit’s newest robots.txt replace has prevented most search engines like google from crawling its current content material.
The large exception? Google, because of a $60M deal for AI coaching information.
See: Reddit Limits Search Engine Entry, Google Stays Exception
Key factors from the above article:
- Solely Google and Reddit’s on-site search can now reliably discover recent Reddit posts.
- Bing, DuckDuckGo, and others are left within the chilly for brand new content material.
- SEOs and entrepreneurs face new hurdles in monitoring Reddit discussions.
This transfer suits the pattern of platforms monetizing their content material and defending it from AI scrapers.
This might impression customers within the following methods:
- Customers should use Google or Reddit’s native seek for current posts.
- SEOs want new methods for Reddit content material monitoring.
- Google beneficial properties an edge in offering entry to Reddit’s huge user-generated content material.
It’s an indication of the occasions as platforms steadiness openness with monetization within the AI period.
Wanting Forward
As Reddit continues to develop, reporting a 54% year-over-year income enhance in Q2 2024, this AI initiative may play a pivotal function within the platform’s future.
As the corporate strikes ahead with testing and potential implementation, customers and trade observers alike shall be watching carefully to see how this AI-powered search transforms the Reddit expertise.
Featured Picture: T. Schneider/Shutterstock
