Reddit overtakes TikTok in UK thanks to search algorithms and gen z

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/03/reddit-overtakes-tiktok-uk-search-algorithms-gen-z

Posted by GeoWa

8 Comments

  1. Aware it is anecdotal, but I’ve been on Reddit for a fair while now and never encountered others that used Reddit. Then randomly I heard a younger colleague and an older colleague (I’m mid 40s) talk about a post on Reddit. And the same day I had a chat with a relative who I never expected to use Reddit and they were reading it all the time (but never posting).

    I think the recent deals for content with Alphabet and the other firms have paid off in getting Reddit up the awareness radar in the algorithm race. TBD if I like it though…

  2. FlaviousTiberius on

    I’d guess it’s probably more because of tiktok becoming nothing but AI slop than reddit becoming more popular.

    Honestly even youtube shorts is better at this point.

  3. Hence why some of it has transformed rapidly from policy nerds to popular sentiment….

  4. This is also (partly) why my content filter list has 4x’d over the last 12 months.

    Between AI slop, bot nets & the influx of new users who aren’t exactly part of Reddits traditional demographic, around 50% of posts from my front page get filtered and on /r/all it’s hitting 80-90%

  5. IRespectYouMyFriend on

    And you know why this place is so full of bots nowadays.

    It’s a lot of real estate in the public consciousness, and obviously… People will always want real estate.

  6. Timely-Way-4923 on

    It’s because it’s the closest thing to 2010 Facebook we have. Text based status communication and long threads. But without it being tied to you .

  7. InformationNew66 on

    Don’t forget to add that Reddit is “collaborating” with the government and is asking for ID checks/face photo for many subs (like r/worldwar2 or to view some people’s profiles) in the UK. So no more anonymous reddit if you venture to any of those subs.