Published on October 9th, 2023
Reddit has introduced a range of enhancements to its search capabilities. In a Wednesday blog post, the platform detailed the latest improvements, which comprise a dedicated media search tab, media search within subreddits, and accessibility enhancements.
The media search upgrades can be divided into two main components: first, a media tab now appears on the search results page within the iOS and Android apps, enabling users to conveniently browse media content all in one place, akin to Google’s image results. Second, there’s a media search function now available within individual subreddits.
Reddit, as reported on redditinc.com, has rolled out multiple updates with the goal of simplifying, enhancing engagement, and improving the accuracy of searching on Reddit through our native mobile apps and mobile web platforms.
Read More: How To Reverse Search A Video
New Media Search Tab
In response to extensive research and feedback from Reddit users, we are unveiling a fresh media tab on the search results page within our native Android and iOS applications.
Previously, Redditors were required to sift through search results in the posts tab to locate specific media content.
With this latest enhancement, Redditors now enjoy the convenience of perusing all media results, including videos, GIFs, and images, in one consolidated location.
Subreddit Media Search
Much like the media tab found on the primary search page, Redditors who are in search of particular media content within a subreddit can now simply click on the search bar while on a community page.
They can then enter their search query and access the media related to that specific subreddit via the new tab.
Read More: Is Reddit Down Or Just You? How To Check
Simpler Search Results Page
We are revamping the design of the search results page to streamline the browsing experience.
This redesign aims to reduce visual clutter and introduce a more elegant format, ultimately enhancing the ease and intuitiveness with which users can discover the content they are looking for.
Adding Accessibility Features
The posts and comments tabs on the search results page are now fully compatible with screen readers in our native mobile apps.
We’ve incorporated labels, roles/traits, values, and states for all elements on these pages, enabling Redditors to easily find content and take various actions.
For users employing screen readers, these enhancements ensure that they can hear the available actions and the results displayed within these tabs.
Faster And Easier Search For Mobile Web Users
During the previous summer, we introduced enhancements to our website for visitors who are not logged in. As part of this upgrade, we have incorporated new features into the search experience for logged-out users on the mobile web.
These improvements are aimed at providing a uniform search experience across all our platforms, and our testing results indicate that it has significantly accelerated search speeds by 85% on the mobile web. Notable updates include:
- Introduction of distinct tabs for community and comment search results, which were not previously available.
- Inclusion of content filters that allow users to sort search results by time in both the posts and comments tabs, mirroring the functionality found on native mobile apps and desktops.
- An updated and simplified design that aligns more closely with the aesthetics of native apps.
Conclusion
Reddit has introduced significant enhancements to its media search functionality, offering users a streamlined experience with media tab integration and improved accessibility for screen readers.
The simplified search results page design and the addition of community tabs further contribute to a more user-friendly experience.
These updates are part of Reddit’s ongoing efforts to enhance user engagement and provide innovative features, such as the upcoming award system changes, making Reddit more accessible and rewarding for all users.
