Reddit officially expanded access to its AI-driven feature, Reddit Answers, for users in India. Initially rolled out in beta mode in December 2024 to a limited group, this tool is now available to a broader audience.
Reddit Answers offers users a conversational interface to ask questions and receive concise, summarized responses based on relevant discussions across Reddit. It can be accessed through a new button on Reddit’s homepage, redirecting users to a dedicated page where they can interact with the AI—similar to platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
How the Tool Works
Unlike traditional chatbots, Reddit Answers is designed to keep engagement within the platform. For example, when someone inquires about the “latest Bollywood gossip,” the AI responds with a bulleted summary of trending updates and recommends related subreddits and posts.
Its format is similar to Google’s AI Overview, which appears in some search results, but Reddit aims to stand out by offering answers rooted in community discussions. If a user asks for recommendations like, “Where to get the best Bengali thali in Kolkata?” the AI provides a curated list of top restaurants, must-try dishes, and links to original posts from Reddit users.
The feature is especially strong in handling nuanced or subjective topics. A query such as, “What are the pros and cons of living in Gurugram?” results in a balanced list of advantages and disadvantages, each supported by real Reddit threads.
Strategic Shift Toward AI Integration
Reddit is increasingly investing in AI to enhance its search capabilities and reduce dependence on traditional search engines. In October, CEO Steve Huffman emphasized that search remains central to Reddit’s long-term plans, acknowledging that many users currently rely on Google to find Reddit content.
To improve its search relevance, Reddit recently partnered with Google, integrating Google’s Gemini AI to streamline user experiences. With over 100,000 active communities and 400 million weekly users, Reddit has seen significant growth, much of it fueled by traffic from Google.
Expanding in India
While Reddit’s primary user base remains in the U.S., India is emerging as a key growth market. Earlier this year, Reddit revealed plans to open an office in Bengaluru and build a local team to tap into the country’s expanding digital audience.
As Reddit explores new monetization avenues, including introducing paywalls for select content, tools like Reddit Answers are central to making the platform more intuitive and self-sufficient for information discovery.
Founded in 2005, Reddit continues to serve as a hub for diverse conversations through its unique voting system, where users can share, upvote, or downvote content across various subreddits dedicated to almost every imaginable topic.
