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Reddit CEO says Google AI mode no longer drives traffic to websites

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman warned that Google's AI features are no longer directing traffic to Reddit or other websites, even as Reddit remains a top search term and Google continues to crawl the platform heavily.

Google's AI-powered modes are cutting referrals across the web and no longer drive traffic to Reddit or other publishers, according to comments made by Reddit CEO Steve Huffman. Despite the drop in referrals, Huffman noted that Reddit remains a top search term on Google, reported The Verge, adding that Google continues crawling the platform as hard as ever.[2][4][5][6]

Huffman stated that Reddit is not counting on referral traffic from Google to return. Pointing out that users still seek out Reddit content, Huffman said Google is effectively teaching people to navigate directly to Reddit rather than relying on search engine referrals, explaining that the company can only control Reddit, not Google.[1][5]

The remarks follow sharp market reactions to AI search shifts. According to commentary from The Kobeissi Letter, Google's stock erased roughly $480 billion in value in the 24 hours prior to Huffman's statements, reflecting growing scrutiny over how AI disruptions are upending the traditional search engine model that previously directed users out to web publishers.[3]

Key facts

  • Reddit CEO Steve Huffman stated that Google's AI mode does not drive traffic to Reddit or to any other website.
  • Huffman noted that Reddit remains a top search term on Google despite the loss of traffic from AI-driven search modes.
  • Huffman said Google continues crawling Reddit as aggressively as ever while sending fewer users to the site.
  • Reddit is not planning around Google referral traffic coming back, with Huffman saying the company can only control Reddit.
  • The Kobeissi Letter reported that Google's stock shed about $480 billion in market value in the 24 hours preceding Huffman's remarks as AI threatens conventional search models.

Sources · 5 sources

  1. CB

    Crypto BriefingArticle ·

    Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says the company isn’t counting on Google traffic coming back Reddit's shift away from reliance on Google traffic highlights the need for platforms to adapt to AI-driven search changes, impacting user engagement strategies. The post Reddit CEO Steve Huffman says the company isn’t counting on Google traffic coming back appeared first on Crypto Briefing .

    Open source
  2. TV

    The Verge@vergePost on X ·

    Although Google’s AI-powered modes reduce traffic to Reddit, Steve Huffman says that Reddit is still a ‘top search term’ on Google. https://t.co/eLf6evuFnG

    Open source
  3. TK

    The Kobeissi Letter@KobeissiLetterPost on X ·

    Reddit's earnings call has exposed the new reality for thousands of companies. "AI mode does not drive traffic. Not for us and not to anybody as far as I know. It used to be a traffic driver. Now it's not." - Reddit CEO. The reality is that AI is fundamentally changing the way that humans access the internet. Just 24 hours prior to this statement, Google's stock erased -$480 billion on the same issue: AI is disrupting the traditional search model. For decades, the internet operated on a simple model. Search engines directed users to websites, and those websites monetized the traffic. AI is destroying this business model, and it's happening at an accelerating pace. The traditional model of internet traffic is rapidly becoming outdated. The internet has entered a new era.

    Open source
  4. CB

    Crypto BriefingArticle ·

    Reddit CEO says Google’s AI features are cutting referrals to the platform AI's disruption of traditional traffic models challenges internet businesses to innovate revenue streams and adapt to changing user behaviors. The post Reddit CEO says Google’s AI features are cutting referrals to the platform appeared first on Crypto Briefing .

    Open source
  5. WS

    Wall St Engine@wallstenginePost on X ·

    Reddit $RDDT CEO: “Google is crawling us as hard as ever.” “The reality is the AI mode does not drive traffic. Not for us and not to anybody as far as I know.” “It used to be a traffic driver. Now it's not.” “People still want Reddit. It's just Google is not sending them to Reddit the way they used to.” CEO Huffman says Reddit isn’t counting on Google’s traffic returning: “We don't control Google. We only control Reddit.” “Google is teaching people that if you want to come to Reddit, you need to come to Reddit.”

    Open source
  6. PO

    Polymarket@PolymarketPost on X ·

    JUST IN: Reddit CEO warns Google's AI Mode "does not drive traffic" to Reddit or other websites.

    Open source