Reddit Blames Google's AI Search for Falling Traffic — and Plans a Login Wall

Big Tech 📅 Oct 30, 2026 ✍️ Aamir Raza

Reddit Says Google AI Search Stopped Sending Traffic

CEO Steve Huffman told investors on October 29 that Google's AI answers keep users on the search page instead of sending them to Reddit. LexxWire

1 Million Fewer Referrals Every Week

Search referrals to Reddit fell by more than 1 million on average each week during October, Huffman said on the earnings call. LexxWire

US Users Fall for the First Time

US daily active uniques fell 2% to 50.7 million — the first decline since Reddit went public in 2024. LexxWire

Reddit's Answer: Log In to Read

Reddit will test a mostly logged-in experience in select markets outside the US in Q4, ending nearly 20 years of free browsing and curbing data scraping. LexxWire

Publishers Face the Same AI Squeeze

Reddit warns daily visitors could fall by a low double-digit percentage in Q4 if referrals keep dropping. Logged-in users drive over 80% of its money from ads. LexxWire

Reddit Blames Google's AI Search for Falling Traffic — and Plans a Login Wall

Reddit Says Google AI Search Stopped Sending Traffic

1 Million Fewer Referrals Every Week

US Users Fall for the First Time

Reddit's Answer: Log In to Read

Publishers Face the Same AI Squeeze

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