Reddit is, for many people, where they get their information including news these days. (Image credit: Reddit)
Reddit on Thursday began rolling out a new artificial intelligence feature, Reddit Answers, in India. The tool helps users ask questions and receive curated summaries of relevant comments and existing posts. The feature had been in beta since December 2024 and was available only to select users.
The AI-powered search tool, now available more broadly, can be accessed via a new button on the company’s homepage. This button takes users to a page where they can ask the AI questions—similar to how they might interact with ChatGPT, Perplexity, or other AI chatbots.
The feature is designed to keep users on the platform, rather than having them search for threads on Google. That’s one way Reddit is differentiating Reddit Answers from other AI-based chatbots. For example, if a user asks Reddit Answers about “what is the latest Bollywood gossip,” the platform’s conversational tool will respond with a bullet-point list of the latest updates from Bollywood. It will also recommend relevant subreddits and posts on the same topic.
The format of Reddit Answers closely resembles Google’s AI Overview, which now appears at the top of some Google search results.
The social media platform has been working to integrate artificial intelligence more deeply into its search function, challenging traditional search engines.
In another example, when a user asks, “I am travelling to Kolkata. What are the best places to have authentic Bengali thali?” the AI-powered feature provides a summary of recommended spots, highlights must-try dishes, and includes hyperlinks to source posts.
One key difference between searching on Google and using Reddit Answers is that the latter performs better on complex topics with multiple viewpoints. For example, when asked, “What are the pros and cons of living in Gurugram?” Reddit Answers highlights five pros and five cons, providing perspectives from both sides. Each point is accompanied by links to one or two relevant Reddit posts on the topic.
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Reddit Answers allows redditors to “ask questions and receive answers using a new, AI-powered conversational interface.”
Last month, Reddit announced a partnership with Google, with the aim to leverage the Gemini tool to help improve search relevance and provide quick answers for users. Reddit hosts over 100,000 online communities and has 400 million weekly active users. Earlier last year, Reddit went public.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, on an earnings call in October, described search as “a key part of the strategy” for the company, noting that a growing number of users were primarily using Google to find content on Reddit.
Reddit has seen skyrocketing growth, in part due to Google, which has been driving more traffic to the platform in recent months, resulting in an influx of new users. The platform has been free to users since its launch in 2005; however, Reddit is now planning to put some content behind a paywall.
While the US remains a major market for Reddit, the platform is now looking to India for growth. Earlier this year, it was reported that Reddit had been planning to open an office in Bengaluru and hire a local team to tap into a new set of consumers.
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Founded nearly 20 years ago, Reddit includes a wide variety of forums—known as subreddits—dedicated to virtually every topic, where users can post content and rate what others share using “upvotes” and “downvotes.”
Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle.
Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University.
Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include:
Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech.
Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture.
Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups.
Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape.
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4 min read
Reddit Answers allows redditors to “ask questions and receive answers using a new, AI-powered conversational interface.”
