Reddit is taking a significant step towards making its platform more accessible to users around the world by introducing machine learning-powered translations in over 35 new countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. This move aims to break the language barrier that has traditionally made Reddit a predominantly English-centric social network.
The latest translation service builds upon Reddit’s earlier introduction of site-wide translation for French speakers, as well as the ability for users to translate individual posts in various languages. With the company going public seven months ago and reporting steady growth in user base and ad revenue, expanding to new locales seems like a logical next step to attract a larger audience.
One of the standout features of Reddit’s new translation tool is the ability for users to automatically translate both posts and comments from the community’s original language to their preferred language based on their Reddit settings. This means that discussions can seamlessly take place in different languages within a subreddit, eliminating the need for manual translations. Users can post in any language supported by Reddit, and the content will be automatically translated for the community.
Users in supported regions will notice a new translate icon in their menu, allowing them to view content in their chosen language. Translated posts will be clearly labeled, and users will have the option to view the original language if they prefer.
Similar to its earlier translation efforts in French, Reddit will index content in the supported languages for search engines. This means that users searching for information in their native language may come across relevant Reddit posts in search results.
While Reddit has not disclosed the full list of languages it will support, the translation service is already live in countries like Brazil and Spain, indicating support for Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish. The platform plans to expand AI-powered translations to countries like Germany, Italy, the Philippines, and other markets in Latin America in the near future.
Overall, Reddit’s initiative to introduce machine learning-powered translations in more countries underscores its commitment to inclusivity and global reach. By breaking down language barriers, the platform aims to connect users from diverse backgrounds and enable meaningful discussions across borders.
