Reddit’s new AI search tool aims to deliver answers without relying on Google

For years, Reddit has been the go-to source for nuanced answers and diverse opinions, often accessed through Google searches tagged with “Reddit.”

Now, the platform wants to cut out the middleman with its new conversational AI-powered search tool, Reddit Answers. Currently in beta testing and available to a limited number of U.S. users on web and iOS, this tool could reshape how people interact with Reddit’s vast content library.

According to Reddit, the tool works by summarizing posts and comments across Reddit threads to provide responses directly in-app. Instead of offering a list of links like Google, Reddit Answers promises to deliver AI-generated summaries with direct links to the original posts for deeper exploration.

Reddit claims the tool also features real-time updates, surfacing discussions within minutes of their posting—a potential advantage over traditional search engines.

However, early tests by The Verge highlighted some occasional issues. For example, Reddit Answers sometimes struggles with outdated or irrelevant responses, raising questions about its accuracy.

Similar scepticism surrounds other AI-driven tools like Google’s AI Overviews and ChatGPT, and whether Reddit Answers’ current limitations stem from its beta status remains unclear.

Meanwhile, Reddit Answers hints at the company’s growing AI ambitions. Earlier this year, Reddit partnered with OpenAI and acquired Memorable AI, moves that underscore its long-term strategy of leveraging AI to improve user experience and explore new monetization avenues.

During a recent earnings call, CEO Steve Huffman mentioned plans for AI-powered search result pages to “summarize and recommend content,” signalling a clear roadmap for AI innovation.

With plans to expand Reddit Answers to Android, additional regions, and more languages, the platform appears to be eyeing global growth while doubling down on keeping its ~342 million weekly users engaged on its platform.

Whether Reddit Answers will change the habit of appending “Reddit” to Google searches is uncertain, but it represents a bold experiment in redefining how users discover and engage with one of the internet’s most vibrant forums.