On Friday it was reported that if Reddit can’t reach deals with generative AI companies to pay for its data, it might cut off Google, and force users to log in to Reddit itself. Initially, Reddit denied the report. “Nothing is changing,” Reddit spokesperson Courtney Geesey-Dorr said in an interview, adding that the story is false.
But then the report changed a little. The reporters now say Reddit may stop Google and Bing from seeing what people post on Reddit. If that happens, people won’t be able to find Reddit posts when searching with Google or Bing.
A source told the reporters “Reddit can survive without search engines seeing its posts.” Reddit then clarified that while users wouldn’t need to log in, they might indeed block search engines like the report said.
Blocking search engines would mean that when people search for things online with Google or Bing, they won’t find Reddit posts in the results. People use the “site:reddit.com” trick a lot to only see Reddit posts when searching. But that might not work if Reddit blocks search engines.
Reddit wants companies that make AI chatbots and programs to pay them for using Reddit data to teach the AI. Other sites like X are also asking AI companies to pay more to access their data. If Reddit can’t get the AI companies to pay up, they may stop search engines from seeing Reddit posts.
Only time will tell if Reddit decides to stop search engines or continues talks with AI companies to get paid for its valuable user data!
