Reddit's New AI Search: A Game Changer or Just a Copycat?

Reddit is making waves with a fresh update to its AI search tool. This tool, called Reddit Answers, now works with Google Gemini. This is not the first time Reddit and Google have teamed up. They started working together over a year ago. At that time, Reddit began using Google Cloud's Vertex AI to build smart AI agents. The big news is that Reddit Answers is getting a boost. By using Gemini on Vertex AI, Reddit hopes to make search results more relevant. This means users should get quicker and better answers to their questions. Reddit Answers has been in testing since December 2024. During this time, users could ask questions and get summaries of relevant comments and posts. The goal is to keep users on Reddit instead of sending them to Google for answers. This update is not just about improving search. It's also about competition. Reddit is up against big names like OpenAI and others. These companies use Reddit's data to train their chatbots. By integrating Gemini, Reddit might level the playing field. However, not everyone is thrilled with Reddit Answers. Some users think it's a poor copy of Grok AI. Grok AI, made by X, has a reputation for spreading false information. Others find Reddit Answers useful for quick, general advice. For instance, it can help with tips on cleaning rusty cast iron. Right now, Reddit Answers is available in English on the web and iOS devices in the U. S. It's clear that Reddit is pushing hard to make its AI search tool a hit. Only time will tell if this update will win over more users or if it will face more criticism. One thing is for sure: Reddit is not backing down from the AI race.