With the launch of its AI-powered chatbot, “Answers,” Reddit is going all-in on innovating its platform user experience. According to CEO Steve Huffman, Reddit intends to further integrate this feature into the platform in 2025. The initiative aims to cater to two distinct types of users: scrollers, who browse content for entertainment, and seekers, who search for specific information.
Then, in December, Reddit rolled out their new “Answers” feature in beta, which already surpassed 1 million weekly active users in record time. This is an AI technology that can recommend verbatim answers and summaries drafted from previous posts, directly arming users with the information they are looking for. Just last month, Reddit rolled out “Answers” with aspirations of going international, already launched in Australia, the U.K., Canada and India.
Huffman was clear that the intention is ultimately to bring “Answers” to the front end of the user journey. By placing the chatbot front and center, Reddit’s goal is to make it easier for users to find that exact piece of information they’re looking for.
“Up until very recently, we haven’t built a product for them,” – Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.
As he elaborated, a lot of people come to Reddit looking for specific answers. They don’t want to hear about how their detour will affect you, in that instant.
“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,” – Steve Huffman.
This change in approach to moderation policy occurs as Reddit is attempting to build up its user base. The platform announced 108.1 million daily active unique users—a 31% increase compared to the same time last year. Revenue had a record jump, reaching $392.4 million — up 61% from last year. Further out, Reddit projects Q2 2025 revenues of $410 million to $430 million.
Reddit’s user growth over the past year has been record-breaking. A new Google algorithm update triggered wild swings in that growth in Q4 2024. Huffman stated that integrating “Answers” into the primary search box could allow users to input complete queries, making it easier to access relevant content directly.
“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,” – Steve Huffman.
Reddit wants to be featured prominently in Google Search results. The company’s position is that by improving the ability to search, especially within a localized context, they can direct more traffic through their platform.
“We’re an open platform, and we want people to find Reddit content in [Google] Search,” – Steve Huffman.
