Reddit CEO: Chatbots Don't Boost Traffic - SEO News

Reddit Traffic Sources and AI Chatbot Impact

According to Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, AI chatbots currently do not significantly contribute to traffic on the platform. This observation contrasts with reported advancements made by companies such as OpenAI and Google in utilizing AI for search functionalities.

Primary Traffic Drivers

During Reddit’s Q3 2025 earnings call, Huffman emphasized that Google search and direct access remain the primary sources of traffic to the social media site. These channels continue to outperform AI-driven sources in terms of user acquisition.

Partnerships and Data Value

Huffman stated that Reddit maintains positive relationships with its AI partners. He highlighted the mutual learning experienced over the past two years regarding the value of Reddit’s data and the potential for collaborative product development.

Traffic Distribution

An analyst inquired about the proportion of traffic originating from Google versus direct access. Huffman confirmed that a 50/50 split is “approximate, but pretty close” to the actual distribution.

Data Access and Licensing

Reddit has navigated a complex landscape regarding data access for Large Language Models (LLMs). A policy change implemented in May 2024 restricted data access and mandated licensing for commercial use.

Strategic Alliances and Legal Disputes

Despite these restrictions, Reddit entered into an agreement with OpenAI, granting it access to Reddit data for model training purposes. The company also maintains a partnership with Google. Conversely, Reddit has initiated legal action against AI companies including Anthropic and Perplexity.

Financial Performance and User Growth

Reddit reported a strong financial quarter, achieving $585 million in revenue – a 68% increase year-over-year. The platform also recorded 116 million daily active unique users and 444 million weekly active unique users, representing a 20% year-over-year growth.

International Expansion

The company noted a 31% year-over-year increase in international daily users. Furthermore, over 190 million Americans now visit the social network on a weekly basis.

Investing in Search

Reddit continues to prioritize improvements to its search functionality, integrating it as a core user experience. Currently, the platform processes 20% of search volumes through its AI-powered Answers feature and its core search box.

Search Volume and Future Integration

In Q3, approximately 75 million users engaged with Reddit’s search feature on a weekly basis. Huffman indicated that further unification of AI and the core search experience is planned for the coming quarters.

Onboarding Improvements

Reddit is also experimenting with a streamlined onboarding process designed to enhance initial user engagement. The goal is to quickly demonstrate the platform’s value and relevant content to new users.

“We want them to see in their first session that Reddit is amazing and has content for them. So our goal is to connect users with relevant content very quickly,” Huffman explained.