Reddit is beginning limited tests of video and audio versions of posts, giving some users the option to play narrated Reddit content instead of only reading it. The experiments will start with select English-language posts on Reddit’s iOS and Android apps.
The company first outlined the idea during its second-quarter earnings call in July, when CEO Steve Huffman said people were already consuming Reddit stories in similar formats on other platforms. Reddit said the initial tests will help determine which types of posts work well as audio or video and whether the formats could eventually reach more users.
Users Will Be Able to Read or Play Selected Posts
When the feature is available, users will be able to choose whether to “read” or “play” a post. Reddit said the audio and video versions will not replace the original text post, and users will still be able to read and interact with the post and its comments as usual.
The company sees audio as an option for people who want to follow Reddit content while exercising, walking or running errands. Video versions could combine written conversations with audio narration and visual elements.
The idea reflects an existing format on services such as TikTok and Meta’s Reels, where creators frequently turn popular Reddit posts into narrated videos. Some use text-to-speech systems or read the posts aloud while displaying the text alongside unrelated footage such as gameplay or cooking clips.
“There is an emerging content type elsewhere on the internet of, basically, podcasts where people read Reddit content,” Huffman said during the earnings call. He added that spoken versions of Reddit posts could also be engaging for users.
Reddit Continues Testing Video Formats
Reddit described the new feature as an early experiment and said it wants to understand whether narrated posts can be presented in a way that feels consistent with the platform. The company has not said how many communities or users will initially receive access.
The test follows several previous efforts to add more video to Reddit. The company introduced native video hosting in 2017 and later experimented with TikTok-style video feeds.
More recently, Reddit added video support in comments. According to the company, videos posted in comments now account for more than 10% of video posts across the platform.
Reddit announced its plans for narrated posts during its second-quarter earnings discussion. The company will use the initial mobile tests to assess how users respond to both audio-only and combined video-and-audio versions of written posts.
Featured image credits: The Graygency
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