In an era dominated by algorithms and short-form content, Reddit remains one of the internet’s most distinctive platforms. Founded in 2005 by Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman, the site has grown into one of the largest online communities in the world, hosting millions of conversations across thousands of user-created forums known as subreddits.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, Reddit is built around interests rather than personal networks. Users gather in communities dedicated to virtually every topic imaginable—from technology and gaming to politics, finance, sport, and entertainment. The result is a platform that often serves as both a real-time news source and a reflection of internet culture.
Reddit’s influence extends far beyond its user base. Stories, trends, and memes frequently originate on the platform before spreading across the wider web. It has become a valuable source of information for journalists, researchers, brands, and artificial intelligence companies seeking access to authentic human conversations and expertise.
That value has also raised important ethical questions regarding AI. In 2024 and 2025, researchers from the University of Zurich came under scrutiny after deploying AI-generated accounts on Reddit’s r/ChangeMyView community to test whether artificial intelligence could persuade users to change their opinions. The experiment, conducted without participants’ knowledge or consent, sparked widespread criticism and highlighted Reddit’s growing importance as a real-world laboratory for studying human behaviour, online influence, and the power of AI.
The company has evolved dramatically since its startup beginnings. Now valued at more than $40 billion, Reddit has transformed from a niche online forum into a major technology business while retaining much of the community-driven structure that made it popular in the first place.
At SXSW London 2026, Reddit’s story reflects a broader shift in how people engage online. While many digital platforms prioritize reach and engagement metrics, Reddit continues to thrive on discussion, shared interests, and user-generated knowledge. Its communities can influence markets, shape public opinion, solve complex problems, and create cultural moments that ripple far beyond the platform itself.
Although co-founder Alexis Ohanian has gone on to build a successful career as an investor through Seven Seven Six and pursue ventures in sport and philanthropy, Reddit remains his most enduring legacy. More than twenty years after its launch, the platform continues to demonstrate the power of online communities—and why meaningful conversation still matters in the digital age.
By Adam Tönnheim
