Reddit introduces a TikTok-style "For You" feed
Social platform Reddit will show two feeds on its homepage: a personalized "For You" and a "Following" feed. The change will roll out globally over the coming weeks.
Reddit, the online platform built around topic-based discussion communities, announced on Wednesday, October 28, that users will now see two feed options when they open it: "For You" and "Following." The "For You" format was popularized by TikTok, and Reddit is the latest social platform to adopt it. The new layout will roll out globally over the next few weeks.
How the feeds differ
The "For You" feed combines posts from communities a user has joined with recommendations tailored to their interests. Reddit says this will help people discover relevant communities and conversations they might not otherwise come across. The "Following" feed, by contrast, shows only posts from communities the user has joined.
Users can switch between the two, and the platform will open on the feed they viewed last. Reddit has long recommended posts from communities users haven't subscribed to, but the new design gives those recommendations their own feed on the homepage.
The company's rationale and early reaction
Reddit says the change is meant to foster connection, participation and belonging. In a blog post, the company described the feed as a first step toward discovery that leads to something novel and relevant, such as an idea, a connection, a unique perspective or a new interest.
With the move, Reddit joins platforms that already use "For You"-style feeds, including Instagram, X, Threads and Facebook. TechCrunch notes that not everyone will welcome it, since some users may prefer a feed limited to their own communities. Some people who saw the feed during its initial testing phase have already voiced frustration.
