Reddit now uses Google Gemini to power Reddit Answers, its conversational AI search feature. 

Reddit launched Reddit Answers in December last year for U.S users. The platform said the feature will provide quick, AI-generated summaries from real Reddit discussions in response to user questions.

Now, Reddit is leveraging Gemini to power part of its search capabilities. Apart from Reddit’s own AI Models, Reddit Answers will use Gemini on Vertex AI to provide answers to users’ searches. It will tap into Google Cloud’s most advanced tech to pull useful information from the platform’s vast pool of user-generated content.

A more conversational way to search on Reddit

Google claims Gemini AI will provide more ways to search on Reddit Answers. With Gemini, Reddit Answers will summarize conversations and what real users say about a topic, then deliver it in a conversational format with links to communities and posts.

Think of it like asking Reddit a question and getting a well-organized answer that highlights different perspectives, and then points straight to the communities and posts those answers came from. 

Gemini’s integration means users can ask follow-up questions and go deeper into the conversation without starting a new search. “Reddit’s innovative use of Google Cloud’s generative AI underscores the potential of combining vast datasets with advanced technology,” Michael Clark, President, North America GTM, Google Cloud, said.

Reddit Answers aims to help users find answers on the platform instead of searching for Threads on Google. So, this is a step toward offering its search alternative to keep its nearly 400 million active weekly users and 100,000 active communities. 

According to Reddit’s SVP of Infrastructure, Matt Snelham, “By integrating Google Cloud’s Vertex AI Search along with Reddit-built technology into Reddit Answers, we are bringing the same innovation that powers Google to our users.”

Snelham claims the company is seeing a rise in users going straight to Reddit’s homepage through Reddit Answers. That’s a big deal for a platform trying to grow its engagement and keep users. 

Reddit could be moving towards challenging platforms like OpenAI, Perplexity, and even Google, currently dominating AI search. Steve Huffman, Reddit’s CEO, has previously said improving search will be a priority for the company this year. 

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