Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Reports Decline in Search Traffic Due to Google AI Overviews
During a Q3 2026 earnings call, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman stated that Google's AI-powered search modes, such as AI Mode and AI Overviews, are failing to drive referral traffic to the platform. Huffman noted that organic search referrals have dropped by an average of more than 1 million per week in October, characterizing this as a fundamental shift in how Google functions. Despite the decline in direct referrals, Huffman emphasized that Reddit remains a top search term on Google and consumer demand for the platform's content is unchanged. To mitigate these referral losses, Reddit is pivoting toward becoming a 'direct, sticky, daily destination' through new features like personalized 'For You' feeds and AI-generated short videos. Additionally, the company announced a mandatory login policy to improve user experience, safety compliance, and data protection.
Topics: AI Impact on Search Digital Advertising/Traffic Trends Google AI Overviews Search Traffic