Reddit has emerged as a top source for artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, driving its rapid growth and prominence on the internet. Recent changes in search technology have made Reddit a frequently cited reference, with implications for users and content creators alike.
When performing a Google search today, users often see an AI-generated summary of results at the top of the page rather than a traditional list of links. This AI Overview feature has increased the visibility of certain websites, including the social media platform Reddit. The platform, founded in 2005, experienced steady growth for years, but its popularity surged significantly in recent times. In the UK, Reddit now surpasses TikTok as a leading social platform, according to regulator Ofcom.
The spike in Reddit usage began in 2024, coinciding with Google’s implementation of AI Overview and a partnership allowing Google to train its AI models using Reddit content. The platform also maintains similar collaborations with other AI labs, including OpenAI. Research by analytics firm Profound indicates Reddit is the most cited source across major AI platforms. Jasman Singh, a researcher at Profound, explained that Reddit’s user-generated content provides a neutral forum for opinions, making it a trusted source for AI models compared with commercial sites.
Reddit reports 116 million daily active users and over 1 billion monthly active users, reflecting a 19% year-on-year growth. The platform hosts millions of niche communities called “subreddits,” which are user-created and topic-specific. Examples include r/BunniesStandingUp, a community dedicated to images of standing rabbits. Within these subreddits, users share posts in the form of text, links, images, or videos, which others can comment on. Popular posts rise through upvotes, while low-rated content is downvoted and buried.
A key feature of Reddit is its karma system, which measures a user’s reputation. Points are earned through upvotes on posts and comments, and lost through downvotes. Subreddit moderators, who enforce community rules, often require a minimum karma to post, ensuring credibility within the community. New users can earn karma more quickly by engaging in subreddits with lower requirements and posting quality content.
Each subreddit has rules set by its moderators, ranging from general conduct like “be respectful” to specific guidelines such as post formatting or daily post limits. Users can become moderators by creating a new subreddit, taking over an abandoned one, or being invited to join an existing moderation team. Creating a subreddit requires an account to be at least 30 days old and to meet a minimum karma threshold.
Reddit’s growing influence as a reference source for AI models is reshaping how users discover content online. Its mix of vast user-generated discussions and niche communities continues to attract millions worldwide, making the platform a central hub for both social interaction and AI-driven search results.
