Reddit became the number one source for AI-generated search results in June 2025. According to Statista, 40.1% of all citations used by large language models (LLMs) were from Reddit. Wikipedia came second with 26.3%, followed by YouTube with 23.5%, while Google dropped to fourth place with 23.3%.
This marks a big shift in how AI learns and delivers information. For years, Google and Wikipedia were the top names in online search. But now, community-driven platforms like Reddit are taking the lead.
Other sources on the list include Yelp with 21%, Facebook with 20%, Amazon with 18.7%, TripAdvisor with 12.5%, and mapping services Mapbox and OpenStreetMap with 11.3% each.
Reddit’s rise comes at a time when people prefer real conversations and experiences over static web pages. Its vast collection of discussions gives AI models deeper insights into daily life, opinions, and problem-solving. This makes Reddit content more useful for AI systems that power chatbots, search tools, and recommendation engines.
Reddit CEO Steven Huffman recently said the platform is already a “de facto search engine” for millions. He pointed out that even when people search through Google, many end up on Reddit threads. His statement underlines how important Reddit has become for both human users and AI systems.
The shift is not only about AI search but also about business growth. In Q2 2025, Reddit’s revenue increased by 78% to $500 million, driven by new AI-enabled ad tools and high engagement rates. The firm expects Q3 revenue to be between $535 million and $545 million. Its stock price surged nearly 20% after the announcement, reflecting strong investor confidence.
Reddit’s ad model is also evolving. Ads now appear more naturally within subreddit discussions, increasing interaction and improving results for advertisers. Along with this, Reddit’s daily active users crossed 110 million in Q2, up 21% from last year.
Meanwhile, Google is also facing challenges as its share of global search is slipping under the 90% mark. Users slowly begin to depend on AI responses as opposed to the traditional link-based search. This, in turn, points out how community-driven sites like Reddit are shaping the future of online discovery.
The introduction of Reddit in AI citations clearly points toward an AI search shift. With the Google Search Engine decreasing in importance and more LLM sources being relied upon, the search world is changing. Add to that the stimulus from Reddit ads, and it is becoming quite evident that Reddit is no longer a mere forum; it is slowly becoming one of the main pillars of the AI-driven web.
The shift is not only about AI search but also about business growth. In Q2 2025, Reddit’s revenue increased by 78% to $500 million, driven by new AI-enabled ad tools and high engagement rates. The company expects Q3 revenue to fall between $535 million and $545 million. Its stock price surged nearly 20% after the announcement, reflecting strong investor confidence.
Also Read – Reddit Vs Quora: Which One is Better?