Reddit CEO says Google AI Overviews are not replacing search referrals
Google AI Overviews cut Reddit referral traffic and reshape search discovery See how Reddit is responding as direct traffic, retention, and ads fuel growth
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said Google’s AI Overviews are reducing referral traffic to sites like Reddit, raising questions about how searchdriven discovery is changing.
Speaking on Thursday alongside Reddit’s quarterly earnings report, Huffman said Google’s AI summaries have not delivered the same broad value as traditional search results, often called the “10 blue links.” He said search traffic is more volatile and that Reddit is focused on increasing direct traffic and user retention.
Reddit reported secondquarter revenue and earnings above analyst expectations and raised its outlook, but shares fell sharply in extended trading as investors weighed the impact of Google’s product changes on future traffic. Reddit also said advertising revenue rose strongly, while its data licensing business continued to contribute to sales.