SAN FRANCISCO, August 18, 2026, 01:10 CEST
- Reddit is running tests on audio and video formats for some English posts.
- Participants have the option to either read the original post or play it.
- The small test is running on Reddit’s iOS and Android apps.
Reddit (NYSE:RDDT) is running small tests that let some posts become audio or video on mobile. In the iOS and Android apps, users can now pick to either read or play certain posts.
Reddit is running an experiment aimed at a trend that’s already playing out elsewhere. On short-video apps, creators use Reddit stories for narration laid over various clips. Now Reddit plans to see if this same behavior will take off within its own app.
This rollout isn’t wide. Only some English-language posts and communities are included in the first tests. Reddit didn’t say which communities are involved, how many people will see it, or when the test might grow.
| Post experience | What the user gets | Confirmed availability | Original text and comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read | Users see the regular written post | This is the standard Reddit setup | Available |
| Play: audio | An audio version plays in the background | Only in early testing on some English posts | Remain available |
| Play: video | The post comes as video plus audio | Early test on a few English posts | Remain available |
Reddit says the original thread isn’t going anywhere. Both formats keep the text post live. Viewers can still read it, jump in on comments, same as before.
Reddit CEO Steve Huffman hinted at the company’s plans in the July 30 earnings call. “There is an emerging content type elsewhere on the internet of, basically, podcasts where people read Reddit content,” Huffman said. Earnings-call transcript
| Mobile video feature | Audio/video post test | Video in comments |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Small test still in early stages | Rolling out to users in some communities |
| Surface | Some selected posts | Replies in threads |
| Platforms | iOS and Android only for now | Video button now live everywhere |
| Community scope | Testing in certain communities, names not public | Works in eligible, SFW public communities |
| Autoplay | No details yet | Autoplay off |
| Language | Just posts in English to start | No language limits mentioned in June statement |
Reddit rolled out video replies in comments, and Huffman said that update now drives over 10% of all video posts. The feature went live for most eligible public, SFW communities starting June 11.
Reddit is focused on keeping users. The company said app-user retention was up 50% year over year in Q2. Management told investors direct app users are worth more than referral users.
| Audience metric | Q2 2026 | Q2 2025 | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global daily active uniques | 130.3 million | 110.4 million | up 18% |
| U.S. daily active uniques | 53.2 million | 50.3 million | up 6% |
| International daily active uniques | 77.1 million | 60.1 million | up 28% |
| Global weekly active uniques | 514.6 million | 416.4 million | up 24% |
The gap suggests users could log on more often. Reddit saw 514.6 million weekly active uniques last quarter, but just 130.3 million checked in daily. A background listening feature could keep sessions running when reading isn’t an option.
| Q2 2026 measure | Result | Year-over-year change |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $805 million | Up 61% |
| Advertising revenue | $762 million | Up 64% |
| Net income | $253 million | Jumped 183% |
| Adjusted EBITDA | $343 million | Up 106% |
Reddit’s latest test comes as it grows profits and users. Revenue for the second quarter jumped 61% to $805 million. Weekly actives topped 500 million, and daily users climbed 18%.
Reddit told TechCrunch it wants to see what formats users find useful and real. Listening might fit exercise, walking, or doing errands. Reddit hasn’t said how it makes the narration.
Risks: Automated narration might lose tone or context in community posts. Video could also spread sensitive content more quickly. How moderation, creator controls, or attribution will work wasn’t shared in this test.
The next thing to watch is scope. Reddit has to prove that “play” can drive direct use without hurting discussion. Right now, the test is still small and can be rolled back.
