Reddit plans to launch AI-generated summaries for its search results, aiming to improve user interaction with its vast content. This initiative was announced by CEO Steve Huffman during the company's Q2 earnings call.
With over 342.3 million weekly active users and more than one billion monthly searches, Reddit's AI summaries will provide concise overviews of topics at the top of search pages, allowing users to access relevant information quickly. Huffman stated, "This is another step toward improving searches for everyone."
The platform has seen a 57% increase in user engagement over the past year, highlighting the demand for efficient content navigation. Reddit's AI advancements are supported by partnerships with major firms like Google and OpenAI, including a $60 million annual agreement with Google to use Reddit's content for AI training.
OpenAI also utilizes Reddit's Data API for real-time content in products like ChatGPT. Additionally, Huffman announced the end of free data scraping on Reddit, requiring companies like Microsoft to pay for data access. He emphasized the need for controlling Reddit's data to prevent misuse, stating, "Without such agreements, we can't manage how our data is presented or prevent misuse." These developments reflect Reddit's commitment to leveraging AI to enhance user experience while securing its data assets.