Reddit tests new audio and video post formats in select communities

New Audio and Video Formats Introduced

Reddit has begun testing new audio and video post formats in a limited experiment. This test is rolling out to a sample of posts across select communities on the platform's iOS and Android applications. The company aims to allow users to engage with Reddit content by listening to posts or watching them as short-form videos.

Context and Motivation

The introduction of these new formats follows Reddit's announcement during its second-quarter earnings call in July. CEO Steve Huffman noted that Reddit content is already being consumed in audio and video forms on other platforms, such as TikTok and Meta's Reels. These external platforms often feature narrated Reddit stories, sometimes using text-to-speech or creators reading posts aloud, accompanied by visuals like gameplay or cooking content.

Huffman described this as an "emerging content type" where people create "podcasts where people read Reddit content." The company's internal testing will evaluate which types of audio and video posts resonate with users and have potential for broader scaling.

User Experience and Integration

The new audio and video formats will maintain links back to the original text posts and comments, ensuring the core content remains accessible and unchanged. This approach allows for new ways of interaction while preserving the platform's existing structure. Reddit has also added more video features elsewhere in its app, including an update in June.