For much of its existence, Reddit has occupied the internet’s stranger fringes. Users vote posts up or down, propelling some to viral fame (or infamy), and organize themselves into communities, known as subreddits.
At its worst, the site has harbored hateful rhetoric, conspiracy theories and misinformation, forcing the company to ban entire communities when discussions spiral into extremism or violence. Yet Reddit is also home to some oddly moving exchanges between strangers, mundane advice on everyday life, and impassioned debates between far-flung enthusiasts.
“We were an odd duck a decade ago, but things have changed,” Reddit COO Jen Wong tells Fortune. In a world filled with deepfakes and AI slop, she argues, “the most radical thing a platform can offer is people talking to people.”
That proposition appears to be paying off.
Lately, while Reddit’s seedier side persists, the platform has broadened its appeal as millions of new users have flocked to its forums. The site went public in 2024 and became profitable for the first time in its history, driven by a swell in users and advertising revenue.
