Reddit chief executive Steve Huffman told investors that chatbots do not drive a meaningful amount of traffic to the site. He said that Google search and direct visits still supply the bulk of incoming users. The comment came during Reddit’s third-quarter review as the company reported strong revenue growth and expanding engagement.
Reddit’s leadership has moved carefully around how its data is used by AI makers. The company has both licensed content to some model builders and pursued legal action against others for data scraping. Those steps show that Reddit wants to capture fair value from AI use while protecting the community experience.
Chatbots and Traffic
Huffman was clear about one point. At present, chatbots are not a primary source of visits. Search and direct access remain the largest channels for people who land on Reddit. The company is working to make search and discovery better. Reddit’s aim is to connect new users with relevant communities right away so they see value in their first session.
The company’s product push includes merging AI into search and the core experience. Reddit now runs AI-powered features that answer queries and help people find threads. The leaders said the unified approach should improve how people find content and how long they stay.
Search and Growth
Reddit posted solid growth in the quarter. Advertising revenue and user engagement led the gains. The platform recorded tens of millions of users who search each week. The leadership said more people are searching on Reddit and that this behavior helps ad targeting and revenue.
Reddit has taken an active stance on data and AI. The firm sells licensing deals when the terms are suitable. At the same time, it has filed suits when it believes scraping crossed a legal line. The dual approach is designed to protect creators, preserve quality, and ensure that the platform benefits as AI systems grow.