Reddit is rapidly expanding its footprint in AI-powered search with its new product, Reddit Answers AI. Launched in beta in December 2024, the chatbot has already reached over 1 million weekly active users. The tool is designed for a growing group of users Reddit calls “Seekers”—those who want quick, authentic answers rather than community engagement.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman shared the news during the company’s Q1 2025 earnings call. He explained that Reddit’s audience falls into two groups: Scrollers and Seekers. Scrollers are regular users who browse and contribute to subreddits like r/sourdough or r/popculturechat. Seekers, on the other hand, often go to Google, type in a question, and add “Reddit” to get real answers from real people.
“Up until very recently, we haven’t built a product for them,” Huffman said. “They’re not coming for community. They’re coming for an answer. And we can be more effective at solving that.”
Reddit Answers AI Expands Globally and Plans Deep Integration
Since its beta launch, Reddit Answers AI has rolled out to users in the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, and India. Though still in beta, the tool already appears as a tab in Reddit’s mobile navigation bar, providing direct access to AI-summarized Reddit content.
Looking ahead to 2025, Reddit plans to deeply embed Answers into the platform. Huffman hinted at several future use cases. One would place Answers directly inside Reddit’s main search box, letting users type full questions instead of just keywords. Another idea would introduce new users to Reddit via Answers, showing them the platform’s value instantly.
Huffman explained, “So you’re a new user opening Reddit for the first time, using Answers to see what’s in Reddit and learn that Reddit almost certainly has what you’re looking for.”
Additionally, Reddit is considering using Answers as a tool in external search. This would deliver cleaner, more readable Reddit responses to users who arrive through Google. It’s a strategic move, especially since recent Google algorithm changes affected Reddit’s visibility and sparked user growth volatility.
“We’re an open platform, and we want people to find Reddit content in [Google] Search,” Huffman said. “But being open also brings variability. We expect more bumps as the Search ecosystem evolves.”
Earnings Soar Despite Google Search Volatility
Reddit’s Q1 2025 results exceeded expectations, helping the company shake off any investor concerns. It reported $392.4 million in revenue—a 61% increase year-over-year. Adjusted EBITDA reached $115.3 million. The platform also grew to 108.1 million daily active unique users, marking a 31% year-over-year gain.
Reddit’s stock rose sharply in after-hours trading on the earnings news. For Q2, the company projects revenue between $410 million and $430 million, with adjusted EBITDA expected between $110 million and $130 million.
While Google’s search algorithm continues to evolve, Reddit is positioning itself to be less dependent on external traffic. With the growing success of Reddit Answers AI and its potential for deep integration, the platform is carving out a powerful new channel for both user engagement and long-term growth.
