As artificial intelligence (AI) companies increasingly use Reddit’s data to train their chatbots, Reddit has started testing its own conversational AI tool, Reddit Answers. Announced on Monday, this feature lets users ask questions and receive summarized responses based on relevant threads and discussions across the platform.
This move positions Reddit to compete with AI services like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Perplexity, which are popular for delivering quick, concise answers. It also challenges Google, as many users already append "Reddit" to search queries for community-driven insights—a trend Google has integrated into its search results.
Reddit Answers aims to simplify the user experience by providing direct, conversational responses without the need to browse multiple threads or communities. When a user poses a question, the tool delivers concise summaries drawn from related posts and discussions. Users can view highlighted snippets, dive into full conversations, and explore further with suggested follow-up questions. For instance, asking for sleep improvement tips will yield a summarized list of advice sourced from Reddit users, accompanied by links to the original threads for deeper exploration.
In a blog post, Reddit described the feature as a way to access “information, recommendations, discussions, and hot takes” from real community conversations. Given that platforms like Google and OpenAI already incorporate Reddit data through partnerships, Reddit’s in-house conversational AI ensures users can quickly access these insights directly on the platform.
The company envisions AI as central to enhancing the search experience on Reddit, promising faster and more relevant results. Currently, Reddit Answers is available to a limited group of U.S. users in English, with plans for global expansion and additional language support.
Powered by Reddit’s proprietary technology, the feature also integrates AI models from OpenAI and Google Cloud. Beyond Reddit Answers, the platform has been incorporating AI in other areas, such as AI-enhanced search result pages, translation services, and brand insights. CEO Steve Huffman previously hinted at more AI-driven innovations on the horizon.