Ask the Reddit chatbot

Reddit have teased a new and improved search functionality for a while. Last month, CEO Steve Huffman told investors that search was "a key part of [our] strategy".

Well, the future is here: Reddit have released Reddit Answers.

What's the problem with search?

The problem, according to Huffman, is that the Reddit search experience isn't exactly optimal:

• Google searches that recommend a Reddit thread simply throw the user in the middle of an old conversation, which may feel overwhelming.

• Finding a relevant Reddit thread isn't easy. Hopping from one thread to another is also not simple, with users often having to return to their Google search to find another thread (thus Reddit running the risk of losing the user).

• Searching Reddit itself is a bit of a maze, there's too much information and it's not organised well enough.

Enter Reddit Answers

Reddit Answers is the answer (ha-ha-ha) to all this drama.

"With Reddit Answers, redditors can ask questions and receive answers using a new, AI-powered conversational interface," reads the release blog post.

As users engage, the bot compiles and summarises its answers based on the wealth of information stored in subreddits. "Redditors can easily read relevant snippets and answers inline from real redditors, jump into the full conversations, and go deeper in their search."

Reddit are clearly banking on the wealth of knowledge stored in the depth of their subreddits. In May this year, Reddit and OpenAI partnered up to expose this wealth of knowledge to train ChatGPT. Now, Reddit say their Answers product is powered by 'Reddit-built technology', per TechCrunch.

The feature is only rolling out to a limited number of US users and only in English. BRB, need to ask Reddit Answers about the latest r/spicypillows tips.