Reddit tests AI-compiled product reviews
Reddit is testing Reddit Reviews, an AI-powered feature that compiles product discussions into dedicated review pages. The company said the initial test will cover a set of frequently discussed products and categories.
The feature draws on comments and product mentions across Reddit, presenting comments and upvotes in a centralized review format.
How Reddit Reviews works
Users can find reviews by searching for a product or category in the app. Products with review pages will be highlighted in predictive answers to their query.
According to Reddit, users can browse all comments about a product and apply topic filters derived from community conversations. Clicking a comment takes them to the original discussion, where they can ask a follow-up question or join the community. Reviews also highlight products that people commonly compare.
Reddit said the AI organizes accounts of product experiences while preserving nuance, context and connections to the original conversations. Review pages may also include images, prices and purchase links supplied by brand and retailer catalogs.
The company said recommendations will draw only on organic conversations within Reddit communities and will not include paid placements.
Search traffic pressure
The test comes as Reddit works to encourage more direct visits to its app amid declining search referrals. In the company’s Q3 performance update, CEO Steve Huffman said search traffic dropped by more than 1 million referrals on average per week in October.
