Reddit plans to unify its search interface because it appears to turn out to be a search engine

With search at the moment so stuffed with AI slop and websites spamming search engine marketing methods, it’s common for individuals to append “reddit” to their queries in hopes of discovering helpful solutions to their questions. Google has tried to combine outcomes from Reddit in its search interface, and taking discover of the development, Reddit has been experimenting with its personal AI search as effectively. However the firm has loftier ambitions: it needs to turn out to be the go-to search engine individuals use.

Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman, mentioned as a lot throughout its second-quarter convention name on Thursday: “Reddit is without doubt one of the few platforms positioned to turn out to be a real search vacation spot. We provide one thing particular, a breadth of conversations and data you possibly can’t discover anyplace else.”

Huffman famous that Reddit’s search perform has greater than 70 million weekly customers, and its AI-powered Q&A product, Reddit Solutions, is now utilized by 6 million individuals.

Reddit Solutions is presently obtainable in a dozen international locations, and the corporate plans to broaden it globally in addition to give it distinguished placement within the web site’s interface. The corporate ultimately needs to unify the core search perform with Reddit Solutions, and redesign its app to have the search field be extra prominently seen.

“We’re unifying these [Reddit search and Reddit Answers] right into a single search expertise, and we’re gonna convey that entrance and middle within the app. So, whether or not you’re a brand new consumer opening the app for the primary time or a returning consumer opening the app, that search field will likely be current instantly,” Huffman mentioned on the decision.

Individuals are more and more being offered chat-styled search interfaces from merchandise like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s new AI mode. Reddit understandably believes that tapping its wealthy trove of consumer posts and feedback to assist individuals discover solutions will assist make its search perform extra helpful.

Reddit reported a constructive second quarter, with income leaping 78% to $500 million from a 12 months earlier. The corporate launched two new advert instruments, which let entrepreneurs use Reddit knowledge to identify traits, and leverage feedback about manufacturers of their campaigns.