Reddit Is Turning User Conversations Into AI-Powered Product Reviews

Reddit is introducing an AI-driven shopping tool named Reddit Reviews that compiles user discussions about products into distinct reviews. According to TechCrunch, Reddit's announcement aligns with the platform's rules and recent efforts to curb automated abuse and spam, as well as its use of community moderators to ensure the authenticity of the reviews.

The Reddit Reviews feature utilizes AI to categorize discussions where users share their product experiences. Such posts frequently involve conversations about a product's functionality, any issues encountered, or the trade-offs to consider before making a purchase. The company has been trialing the product reviews feature since February, initially with users in the U.S. across categories like Electronics, Video Games, and Health & Beauty.

In September, Reddit broadened the test to include Home & Garden and Fashion & Apparel categories. Now, Reddit Reviews is being rolled out to all U.S. users on iOS, Android, and web, starting with around 10,000 products. Over time, the company plans to expand the feature to more categories and beyond the U.S. For users, Reddit Reviews can be accessed by searching for a product or category in the app's search bar or clicking on a highlighted product name mentioned in a comment.

This action directs the user to a screen where key conversations are condensed under a "what people are saying" heading. The screen also features a visual representation highlighting the number of comments that are positive, negative, or mixed, along with the reasons people liked or disliked the item.