Google's AI Mode doesn't drive traffic "for anybody," Reddit CEO Huffman warns the entire web
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Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has issued a stark warning to the entire web, stating that Google's new AI Mode does not drive traffic for any publisher. Following strong earnings, Reddit’s stock plummeted by over 25 percent because the company lost more than one million weekly referrals from Google search in October. Huffman attributes this decline directly to AI Overviews and AI Mode, describing it as a fundamental shift in how Google operates. Although user demand for Reddit remains stable, the platform is no longer receiving visitors through traditional search channels. In response, Reddit is testing login walls outside the United States to combat scraping and reduce its reliance on the open web. This strategy represents a trade-off between broader reach and deeper engagement with logged-in users. While data licensing talks with AI providers continue, it remains uncertain if further deals will be finalized given the changing landscape.
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