I started this website, AIRespondsBlog, in September’24 with very little hope, given how established web-based publications had lost over 90% of their traffic after Google’s latest updates to the search algorithm. Websites that had been going strong for over a decade had to cease operations within a year, citing financial crunch.
Thousands lost jobs because Google suddenly started prioritizing Reddit and Quora, the former mostly, in the search results. These were followed by webpages from a handful of reputed publications, irrespective of whether the content was actually helpful. And sadly, in most cases, it wasn’t!
It was all blamed on Google’s algorithm update that prioritized User-Generated Content (UGC). Independent content creators, small and medium-scale publishers, and journalists were the worst hit. And this is all first-hand experience based on what I witnessed across the web publishing industry.
So, that got me wondering about the pros and cons of Google prioritizing forums. There must have been some upside to the move, given how Google didn’t back down after such a massive hue and cry. And that’s when I delved into the research part.
Of course, the Reddit-Google deal to train AI models and allow the former more space in SERP are key factors, but there’s something else, something most of us overlooked in the initial days!
How and why Reddit in Google search benefits users?
During the first few days of research, I realized how a massive chunk of the user base appended “Reddit” to the end of each search query on Google to view results from the forum. These, they believed, were more genuine and solution-oriented.
But why was it the case, especially when hundreds of other web pages competed to rank for the same query, often listing solutions from Reddit and other forums?
The primary reason, as expressed by many, was that websites listed paid tools/methods as solutions, especially when something could be done in a much simpler way and without spending a penny.
As for websites listing, recommending, or hosting third-party tools and solutions, it’s because they make money through affiliate promotion. And it is a massive chunk of their revenue, Google Ads and its alternatives being another top source.
I agree with the logic 100%. Coming from a country where the average national income falls in the range of $400-$600, spending on solutions that charge, say, $50 doesn’t make much sense. And Redditors usually recommend free (or cheap) options, as opposed to content creators who push for paid solutions!
Another reason I believe Google started promoting forums is the first-hand experience shared by members.
Honestly, while some of the information in forums is absolutely useless and must be avoided at all costs, a significant part is genuine and useful, something users have been practicing in life. They simply share their own experiences, which makes it more reliable.
Content creators or websites don’t offer this reliability, given the lack of experience in the matter.
For instance, if you search for ways to de-tan the skin, content creators would probably push a lotion or cream, and websites would list 7-10 ideas, many of which involve expensive purchases. On the other hand, forums will list genuine, reliable, and tested information. Sometimes, the ones posting even back their suggestions with scientific reasoning, making it easier for you to verify the claims.
This is just one example. Countless others exist, and you must have experienced a similar situation in the past, where Reddit provided more accurate and trustworthy information compared to other web pages ranked in the top 10 (or the first page) on Google!
There are drawbacks of Reddit on Google, too
When Google first started showing Reddit in the top results, many valid concerns were raised regarding the move. Of the countless criticisms, two that make the most sense are that forums are not a reliable source of information and that by relying on forums, readers miss out on expert advice, knowledge that comes from years of experience in a niche or industry.
Besides, forums often become echo chambers, with members expressing similar sentiments and thoughts and there being no room for healthy discussions and debates.
Lastly, Google prioritizing forums is making it challenging for content creators by shrinking their share of space in SERP. This has led to reduced traffic, which, in turn, directly affected their revenue, forcing many to go out of business in the last few months. And, to be brutally honest, Google doesn’t care!
Google had its reasons for promoting forums in SERP, and the move has both upsides and downsides. Across the spectrum, be it content creators and publishers or end users, some resonate with the step while others find it non-sensical!
Not to forget, Bing has yet to adopt a similar change and still promotes reliable websites over forums. Read our detailed comparison of Google and Bing, and make the switch if the latter seems a more reasonable choice.
Which side are you on? Let me and the readers know in the comments section below!
