Reddit has officially expanded its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot, "Reddit Answers," to more regions, including India. Initially introduced in December 2024 for select users in the United States, the feature is now available to a wider user base. Indian users can access Reddit Answers through the Reddit website, mobile web, as well as the iOS and Android apps.
The launch marks a significant step in Reddit's ongoing effort to integrate AI to enhance user experience by providing quicker, conversational access to the platform's vast repository of posts, comments, and discussions.
The Reddit Answers chatbot allows users to type their queries, which it then processes to fetch information from relevant Reddit posts. Instead of displaying traditional search results, the chatbot synthesizes and presents answers in a conversational style, making it easier and quicker for users to find the information they seek.
The new feature is accessible via multiple platforms, including Reddit’s web portal and its mobile applications for both Android and iOS devices. Many users in India reported seeing a new "Answers" tab located at the bottom of the Reddit app, right next to the Home button. The icon is shaped like three droplet-like figures forming a triangle.
As per the platform's specifications:
Logged-out users in supported regions can ask up to 10 questions per week.
Logged-in users are allowed up to 20 questions per day.
Premium subscribers with beta access can submit up to 100 questions daily.
This tiered access aims to balance the load on the AI system while giving frequent Reddit users greater access to the new feature.
The Reddit Answers chatbot is currently available in Australia, Canada, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, supporting only the English language at this time.
The Reddit Answers feature presents a full-screen view where:
The Reddit Alien logo is centered along with the feature's name.
A brief description of the chatbot’s purpose is provided.
Suggested queries are displayed to help users get started.
A text field at the bottom allows users to input and send their questions.
Upon receiving a query, the chatbot delivers a conversational reply. It also includes direct links to specific user comments and relevant subreddits for deeper exploration. At the bottom of each response, Reddit Answers lists the posts it referenced to generate the reply, offering transparency in sourcing.
In our experience using the feature, Reddit Answers generally performs well for straightforward and factual questions. However, it sometimes struggles with niche or highly specific queries due to a lack of sufficient discussions on the platform.
For instance, when we asked, “Who scored in Chelsea's (football club in the English Premier League) last match?” the chatbot responded, “Chelsea's last match saw Estevao score a goal on his birthday.” However, it is important to note that Estêvão Willian currently plays for Brazilian club Palmeiras and will not join Chelsea until the next season.
According to Reddit's support page, the AI chatbot is built on the company's in-house technology, which "finds, synthesizes, and summarizes" posts across all Reddit communities. However, these AI-generated responses are not vetted by the company, and Reddit encourages users to double-check the information before relying on it.
Furthermore, Reddit states that data from interactions with the chatbot will be collected and used according to the company's privacy policy. Users have the option to provide feedback on the chatbot’s answers by marking them as "helpful" or "not helpful."
The rollout of Reddit Answers in India and other regions marks an exciting expansion of Reddit’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into its platform. By offering users an easy, conversational way to access and interact with its vast library of discussions and recommendations, Reddit is setting the stage for a more intuitive and dynamic search experience.
However, given the occasional inaccuracies and the experimental nature of the feature, users are encouraged to verify critical information. As the AI evolves with broader usage and feedback, Reddit Answers could become a game-changer in how users interact with forum-style content globally.