Reddit on August 17, 2026, began testing new AI-powered audio and video experiences that convert text posts and comments into narrated content using synthetic voices. The feature lets users toggle between reading the original text or playing an audio or video version of the post when available. This test is limited to select English-language communities and accessible via the iOS and Android apps, with a web rollout expected around August 18, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The original text posts and comments remain unchanged and fully accessible alongside these new formats, ensuring users can still read the content in its original form [1, 3]. Reddit aims to explore whether these new media formats feel authentic to the platform and if users find them useful, according to spokesperson Rosa Kim, who called it "an early, limited experiment" [2].
CEO Steve Huffman said similar content has grown popular on other platforms, where people narrate Reddit posts using text-to-speech. "There is an emerging content type elsewhere on the internet of, basically, podcasts where people read Reddit content," Huffman said, adding that Reddit’s own version of "listened-to or spoken Reddit can be really engaging as well" [1, 2, 3].
Reddit has been expanding its video features throughout 2026, introducing native video hosting and video comments in June. Video comments now make up over 10% of the video posts on Reddit, reflecting growing user interest in video content [1, 3].
One example post used to demonstrate the AI narration was an 8-year-old thread in r/boardgames with 101 responses, showing how even older content can be transformed into these new formats [2].
The test will initially run on mobile apps, with Reddit’s web platform expected to receive the update by August 18. Reddit is watching closely how users respond before deciding on wider deployment [1, 2, 3].
