Reddit CEO Steve Huffman expressed frustration with Google's AI Overviews, telling shareholders "people don't want a summary of Reddit; they want Reddit." He stated the feature hasn't delivered a "similar level of positive impact" as traditional search's "10 blue links" for the broader ecosystem.

Reddit's search traffic has declined recently, prompting the company to re-evaluate its $60 million licensing deal with Google. Huffman left open the possibility of ending the partnership, saying the "range of outcomes is wide" and they must maximize value for Reddit.

Publishers across the industry report massive search traffic drops as Google pushes AI-generated summaries that bury links. While Google claims AI search benefits the industry, platforms are seeking alternatives. Reddit is developing feed improvements, a potential video experience, and "background listen" features for spoken Reddit content.