In a bid to unlock new revenue streams and enhance its global presence, Reddit is ramping up efforts to attract users outside the U.S., focusing on countries like India and Brazil. This push comes as the platform seeks to capitalize on international advertising opportunities while improving user experience with advanced search tools.
Expanding Reddit’s Global Reach
Historically, Reddit has been predominantly English-speaking, with the majority of its users based in the United States. However, Jen Wong, Reddit’s Chief Operating Officer, revealed that about half of the platform’s users now reside outside the U.S. Despite this, international markets contribute only 17% of Reddit’s revenue, signaling a massive untapped potential.
To bridge this gap, Reddit is leveraging artificial intelligence to translate its platform into multiple languages. By the end of 2024, the company plans to offer its services in 20 to 30 languages, making the platform more accessible to non-English-speaking users. Wong emphasized that every language represents “an opportunity for another Reddit,” highlighting the company’s goal to cater to diverse global audiences.
India: A Key Market for Growth
Among Reddit’s fastest-growing markets are the U.K., the Philippines, India, and Brazil. Wong specifically pointed out India as a significant opportunity due to its large English-speaking internet population and vibrant online communities centered around topics like cricket and Bollywood.
India’s rapid growth has also prompted Reddit to engage with its moderators, or “mods,” who play a pivotal role in managing content within the platform’s communities. Building stronger relationships with these moderators is seen as a crucial step in fostering local engagement and ensuring the platform’s growth aligns with user needs.
Advertising Opportunities in Emerging Markets
Reddit’s main source of revenue is advertising, and its international expansion could significantly boost this income stream. Currently, Reddit employs a cross-border advertising strategy, allowing brands in one region to target audiences in another. However, Wong explained that once Reddit captures around 10% of a country’s internet population, it creates opportunities for localized advertising teams to work directly with regional brands.
Although this model has yet to be implemented in many markets, Wong noted that Reddit is closely monitoring its fastest-growing countries, such as India and Brazil, to identify when localized ad solutions might be viable.
Improving User Experience with Enhanced Search Tools
In addition to its international expansion, Reddit is addressing one of its long-standing challenges: its search functionality. For years, users have criticized the platform for being difficult to navigate, making it challenging to find relevant content.
Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman, described search as a “focused investment” for 2025 during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. Wong elaborated on this vision, explaining that the platform aims to guide users more effectively by showing related posts and communities. This would allow users to explore interconnected topics, creating a more seamless browsing experience.
“You land on a post, and it’s almost like a dead end,” Wong said. “But there are a lot of posts, often like that post, in other communities. Guiding you through Reddit as you follow that line of thinking is how we think of the opportunity.”
While Wong declined to provide specific details, she confirmed that the company is actively testing new features to improve search and navigation.
A Strategic Vision for Reddit’s Future
Reddit’s dual focus on international growth and improved user experience reflects the company’s ambition to solidify its position as a global social media platform. By expanding into new markets and addressing user pain points, Reddit is poised to attract more users and advertisers, driving its growth in the competitive social media landscape.