From The Verge · Mia Sato · · 1m 10s
Reddit launches product reviews hub
Reddit is formalizing its role as a shopping destination with a new reviews feature that aggregates user discussions across the platform.
In brief
Reddit is formalizing its role as a shopping destination with a new reviews feature that aggregates user discussions across the platform. Reddit launched Reddit Reviews, a product recommendations hub covering ten thousand items, positioning itself against traditional review outlets like Wirecutter. Originally reported…
Reddit formalizes shopping role
Reddit is launching Reddit Reviews, a built-in product reviews hub for consumer goods frequently discussed on the platform.
How the reviews hub works
Reddit Reviews uses AI to collect and analyze threads and comments across subreddits discussing specific products.
Shopping is core to Reddit
The company told The Verge in August that forty percent of conversations on the platform were commercial in nature. Communities like r/skincareaddiction, r/espresso, r/BuyItForLife, and r/NYCbitcheswithtaste drive product discussions and recommendations.
Challenge to traditional reviewers
Reddit Reviews puts pressure on outlets like Wirecutter that specialize in product recommendations and general news outlets including The Verge that publish reviews. Reddit positions itself as human-driven, offering a check on AI-generated recommendations.
Marketers already gaming the system
As shoppers have flocked to Reddit for recommendations, brands and agencies have attempted to covertly promote products on popular subreddits.Moderators discovered astroturfing campaigns for beauty products, weight-loss apps, and musicians.
The headline
Reddit launched Reddit Reviews, a product recommendations hub covering ten thousand items, positioning itself against traditional review outlets like Wirecutter.
