Reddit Kicks Off India Expansion with Launch of AI-Powered Answers Feature

Reddit Launches AI-Powered ‘Reddit Answers’ Feature as Part of India Expansion

Reddit has officially begun its expansion in India by rolling out a new artificial intelligence-powered feature, Reddit Answers. The tool, launched on Thursday, enables users to ask questions and receive curated, AI-generated summaries based on relevant Reddit posts and comments. Initially launched in beta for select users in December 2024, Reddit Answers is now being made available to a wider audience in India.

The feature is accessible through a new button on Reddit’s homepage, directing users to a conversational interface where they can pose questions—similar to interacting with AI chatbots like ChatGPT or Perplexity. However, Reddit Answers differentiates itself by keeping users within the Reddit ecosystem. For instance, when a user asks about “the latest Bollywood gossip,” the feature provides a bullet-point summary of updates, alongside recommendations for related subreddits and discussions.

Designed to enhance user engagement and reduce dependence on external search engines like Google, Reddit Answers mirrors the functionality of Google's AI Overview. It integrates AI into Reddit's core search functionality, offering results tailored to the platform’s vast troves of user-generated content.

In a practical scenario, when a user searches, “I am travelling to Kolkata. What are the best places to have authentic Bengali thali?”, the AI tool responds with summarized suggestions, must-try dishes, and links to user-recommended posts. On more nuanced queries—such as “What are the pros and cons of living in Gurugram?”—Reddit Answers delivers a balanced breakdown of both perspectives, complete with links to supporting threads.

This move comes shortly after Reddit entered a partnership with Google to enhance the Gemini AI tool, aiming to improve search relevance and deliver quicker, more intelligent responses. The collaboration signals Reddit's intent to integrate more AI capabilities while simultaneously driving user traffic from search engines directly to Reddit-hosted content.

Currently, Reddit hosts over 100,000 active communities and serves more than 400 million weekly active users globally. CEO Steve Huffman, during an earnings call in October, emphasized that improved search is “a key part of the strategy” to boost user engagement. With more users using Google to search for Reddit content, the company is focused on enhancing its internal search infrastructure.

Reddit's decision to expand in India is strategic. While the US remains its largest market, India’s rapidly growing internet population presents significant growth potential. Earlier this year, reports emerged of Reddit's plans to establish a physical presence in Bengaluru and onboard a local team to cater to Indian users.

Founded in 2005, Reddit has long offered an open and diverse space where users interact through subreddits—forums dedicated to niche interests. Though traditionally free to use, Reddit is exploring monetization through premium features and paywalled content.

With the launch of Reddit Answers and its growing focus on AI, Reddit is positioning itself as not just a social media platform, but an intelligent discovery engine, starting with one of the world’s most dynamic internet markets: India.