Reddit says Google AI search is sending it less traffic
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman said the company lost more than one million Google search referrals per week in October. He blamed AI Overviews and AI Mode, raising a potential structural risk for sites that depend on Google traffic.
The DecoderOct 30, 2026
1 min read
Huffman said demand for Reddit had not changed, but Google was sending fewer users. Reddit shares fell more than 25 percent despite strong earnings.
Reddit is testing login walls outside the U.S. to limit scraping and reduce reliance on the open web. It remains uncertain whether the company will make further data-licensing deals.
Why it matters
Google’s AI search features may affect the reach of publishers and businesses that rely on search referrals. The traffic figure is based on Reddit’s account.
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As a hypothetical exercise, review your site’s traffic sources and consider which channels could offset a decline in Google referrals.
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