Brandon Fletcher
Reddit has historically been a significant source of user-generated content, making it a prime target for AI companies seeking training data. For an extended period, it was frequently cited in AI-generated outputs. it is surprising to witness a drastic decline in Reddit’s citation frequency, which has fallen to nearly zero in responses generated by ChatGPT, according to PromptWatch data. This shift occurs as Reddit actively incorporates AI technology, including transforming posts into podcasts.
The rapid drop in Reddit’s presence as a key information source has taken many by surprise. Until August 8, Reddit consistently appeared in AI-generated responses, accounting for as much as 4.5% of all outputs. earlier this month, OpenAI altered its approach to gathering information for responses.
PromptWatch indicates that OpenAI has begun utilizing a “site:operator” for its search queries. This means that rather than sourcing information from the open web, it now targets specific sites. This change has adversely impacted Reddit, which is now referenced in only about 0.5% of all responses. While this might seem detrimental, it could be beneficial given AI models’ struggles with discerning accurate information. A notable example of this was when a Reddit post misled Google’s AI-powered search into suggesting that glue could hold cheese on pizza.
Gizmodo attempted to contact OpenAI for further insights about this policy shift but did not receive a reply by the publication deadline.
Although AI may no longer regard Reddit as a leading authority, the platform is fully embracing AI technology. As reported by The Verge, Reddit is experimenting with converting posts and comments into short videos and podcasts using AI. For example, an eight-year-old post in r/boardgames, which asked, “What are some good road trip games for adults?” and received over 100 responses, can now be experienced as an AI-generated video that narrates the original post along with some of the most popular replies.
The revamped post now includes a slider toggle, allowing users to select “Read” for the traditional text version or “Play” for the AI-generated audio version. This initiative seems to be part of a broader strategy announced during a recent earnings call, aimed at enabling users to “listen to posts” in a background format, similar to how one might listen to a YouTube video without actively viewing it.
Previously, Reddit produced a human-curated podcast called Upvoted, which showcased stories from its community. The platform is now shifting to an AI-driven model, converting user posts into automated content designed to keep audiences engaged, likely to facilitate ad placements alongside this material. This transformation raises questions about the platform’s direction and its commitment to community-driven storytelling.
Daniel Mercer
