Reddit's Rollercoaster: Algorithm Challenge & Recovery

Reddit's shares fell 13% after reporting fewer daily active visitors due to a change in Google's search algorithm. Despite the setback, Reddit's fourth-quarter revenue exceeded expectations, buoyed by AI content licensing deals. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic as traffic improved and multiple brokerages adjusted stock targets.

Reddit experienced a significant 13% drop in premarket trading on Thursday, driven by missing expectations for daily active unique visitors. This shortfall was due to an algorithm adjustment on Google's search engine that affected Reddit's visibility in search results, putting short-term pressure on the tech firm's stock.

Despite these user growth challenges in the fourth quarter, Morgan Stanley analysts suggest that the stock may face continued pressure. However, traffic from Google searches has seen a rebound in the first quarter, as stated by CEO Steve Huffman in a communication to shareholders.

Piper Sandler's analysts describe the incident as an anomaly. Although Reddit's daily active visitors grew 39% to 101.7 million, it still fell short of the 103.3 million expected. Despite this, strong fourth-quarter revenue and positive first-quarter projections fueled a positive outlook, aided by AI content licensing deals.

(With inputs from agencies.)