Google's AI Mode doesn't drive traffic "for anybody," Reddit CEO Huffman warns the entire web
Reddit lost over 1 million weekly Google search referrals in October; CEO Steve Huffman blames Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode for driving zero traffic to external sites. Shares fell over 25% despite strong earnings.
Key Takeaways
- Key Highlight：Reddit lost over 1 million weekly Google search referrals in October; CEO Steve Huffman blames Google's AI Overviews and AI Mode for driving zero traffic to external sites. Shares fell over 25% despite strong earnings.
- Key Topics：AI, Mode, Reddit, CEO
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said Google's AI-powered search features are not sending traffic to external sites, costing Reddit more than a million weekly referrals in October alone. The warning comes as Google expands AI Overviews and AI Mode, which summarize answers directly in search results.
The company's stock dropped more than 25% despite strong earnings, reflecting investor concerns that AI-driven search is disrupting the referral traffic many publishers depend on. Huffman's remarks suggest the problem is not unique to Reddit but could reshape traffic distribution across the entire web.
As AI-mediated discovery grows, sites may need to rethink visibility strategies or risk losing audience. Reddit is already testing login barriers and other measures to retain users while it adapts to this shift, but the broader implications for the open web remain uncertain.
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