Reddit has launched a new artificial intelligence-powered search feature called “Reddit Answers” aimed at helping users quickly find answers based on user posts. The feature allows users to ask questions just like they can with ChatGPT and other generative AI services.
The test version of the feature is available via a new button on Reddit’s homepage, which takes users to a page where they can ask the AI questions. Unlike other AI-powered chat and search tools, Reddit’s AI-generated answers are sourced from posts found on the platform, not from around the web.
When asked about how to make modifications to a particular BMW model, for example, the AI tool will answer with a bullet-point list of tips, summaries, and quotes from Reddit posts related to the question. Users can tap links in the answers and go directly to the related Reddit post.
Reddit Vice President of Product Serkan Piantino believes that the feature is more about building a bridge to the content than replacing it. The company wants people to use the feature to access more Reddit content as opposed to merely reading AI-generated summaries.
The feature is part of Reddit’s plans to improve search on its platform and reduce reliance on Google for traffic. By making it easier for users to find answers on the platform, Reddit hopes to entice new users to create accounts.
However, Reddit Answers is currently only available in English for iOS and desktop users, with plans to roll out the feature to Android users as well as other languages in the future.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/09/reddit-begins-testing-ai-powered-answers-feature-to-win-users.html