Reddit users can now reply to any post with video comments
▼ Summary
– Reddit launched video comments for all users in public, safe-for-work communities, allowing them to upload or record short-form video replies.
– Videos do not autoplay and are checked by Reddit’s safety systems before being posted.
– Moderators can disable the feature for their subreddits, and it is not available in private or NSFW communities.
– The feature supports Reddit’s push to become more visual, competing for engagement with TikTok and YouTube.
– Video comments can increase time on platform and create more content, supporting ad revenue and data licensing deals.
Reddit is rolling out a new feature that allows any user to reply to posts with video comments. Starting Thursday, this functionality is available across all public, safe-for-work communities, enabling Redditors to upload or record short-form video replies directly in comment threads.
A dedicated video icon now sits alongside the existing image and GIF options in the comment box. Users can either upload a pre-recorded clip or capture one on the spot. Importantly, videos do not autoplay, and Reddit’s safety systems review each video comment before it goes live.
“We are continually evolving Reddit to deliver a more immersive and authentic human experience,” said Chief Product Officer Maria Angelidou-Smith. “The ability to reply with video gives users more creative ways to engage in communities they love.”
The feature has been in limited testing, with Reddit pointing to a video AMA with Mel C from the Spice Girls, held two months ago, as a prime example of its potential. Celebrity and expert AMAs are a natural fit, allowing hosts to record personalized video responses to individual questions within a thread.
Reddit’s user base has traditionally valued anonymity and text-based discussions. There is no requirement that a posted video show the user’s face. In practice, video comments are likely to become another meme format, with users replying to posts using reaction clips rather than appearing on camera themselves.
Subreddit moderators retain the ability to disable the feature for their communities. Only public, SFW subreddits are eligible; private and NSFW communities are excluded.
This launch is part of Reddit’s broader strategy to become a more visual platform as it competes for engagement with TikTok and YouTube. Reddit’s share price has risen sharply since its 2024 IPO, driven in part by its role as a training data source for AI models. Adding video to comments increases time on platform and generates more content, both of which support ad revenue and the data licensing deals that have become a growing part of its business.
(Source: The Next Web)
