Why Reddit CEO Says Chatbots Are Not a Traffic Driver
During Reddit’s Q3 2025 earnings call, CEO Steve Huffman clarified that AI chatbots aren’t a significant source of traffic for the platform. Despite partnerships with OpenAI and Google, Huffman noted that Reddit still gets most of its traffic from Google Search and direct visits, not chatbots like ChatGPT or Gemini. He emphasized that while AI companies have learned from Reddit’s data, these tools haven’t yet become meaningful referral sources.
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How Does Reddit Benefit From AI Partnerships?
Even though chatbots are not a traffic driver, Reddit has monetized its data through licensing deals with major AI firms. In 2024, Reddit restricted access to its data for commercial use and began charging for it — a move that led to partnerships with OpenAI and Google, while sparking legal disputes with others like Anthropic and Perplexity. These agreements allow AI models to train on Reddit’s unique discussions, helping both sides innovate without heavily relying on traffic exchange.
What Drives Reddit’s Traffic Today?
According to Huffman, about half of Reddit’s traffic comes from Google, while the rest comes from direct access. The platform reported 75 million weekly searches and over 116 million daily users, showing steady growth fueled by its core community and search improvements. Huffman highlighted that Reddit’s AI-powered Answers feature now handles around 20% of search volumes, reflecting the company’s focus on enhancing native discovery rather than depending on external AI bots.
What’s Next for Reddit’s AI and Search Strategy?
Although Reddit CEO says chatbots are not a traffic driver, the company continues integrating AI tools into its own ecosystem. Huffman revealed plans to unify Reddit’s core search and AI features, aiming to deliver faster, smarter results directly within the platform. With international user growth up 31% year-over-year and over 190 million weekly U.S. visitors, Reddit appears focused on building sustainable, in-platform engagement rather than chasing traffic from generative AI tools.
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