In a move that could reshape how users interact with search results, Google has quietly begun testing a new feature called “Discussions” within its search interface.

This beta feature, which primarily appears in sports-related searches on mobile devices, allows users to comment directly on search topics, creating Reddit-like threads embedded within Google’s search results.

The New Social Layer in Search

The experimental feature was first spotted and documented by SEO consultant Nicholas McDonough, who shared several screenshots on Twitter on May 11, 2025. According to Search Engine Roundtable, the feature enables users to add comments to specific topics, with these contributions potentially appearing across various Google propertie💝s and services.

When users in the United States search for sports matchups using queries like “Team vs Team,” Google presents its standard information such as scores and schedules, but now with an additional “Discussions” tab prominently displayed. This tab opens a space where users can share opinions, upvote or downvote others’ comments, and engage in conversations directly within the search results page.

“There’s definitely a weird tension between Google and Reddit now with Reddit expanding its on-site search functionality via AI and Google testing the waters with more discussions-like functionality,” noted industry expert Glenn Gabe, as reported by Search Engine Roundtable. “Of course, Google could reduce rankings and traffic at any point for Reddit, so I would say they have the upper hand.”

Transparency and Cross-Platform Integration

When users engage with the Discussions feature, Google displays a notice explaining the visibility of their contributions: “Comments will appear publicly with your profile name, picture and when it was posted. You can delete your comments anytime.”

The notice further clarifies that these comments may appear across Google’s ecosystem: “Comments may appear on and be used across Google services including Maps, Search, and YouTube and third party sites and apps that use Google services.”

According to Digital Information World, the system allows users to filter comments by viewing either the “Top” comments or seeing all contributions. When clicking on a user’s name, visitors are directed to that person’s Discussions profile, displaying their entire commenting history—creating a social layer that previously didn’t exist within Google’s search environment.

Strategic Implications

This development comes at an interesting time in the evolving relationship between Google and community-focused platforms like Reddit. As Android Central points out, the functionality bears a striking resemblance to Reddit’s threaded discussions, with similar upvoting and downvoting mechanisms.

Industry observers speculate that this move could be Google’s response to Reddit’s recent enhancement of its on-site search capabilities with AI technology. It may also represent Google’s attempt to capture and retain the valuable user-generated content that has traditionally driven traffic from its search results to external discussion platforms.

For Google, which previously ventured into social media with the now-defunct Google Plus, this feature potentially signals a renewed interest in building community engagement direc𓂃tly within its core search product.

The beta status indicates that Google is still gauging user response and refini🔥ng the functionality. Currently limited to sports-related queries, the feature could potentially expand to other topics if successful, creating new opportunities for user engagement while potentially disrupting traffic patterns to established discussion forums 🌸and social platforms.

As Android Authority suggests, this could indeed be Google’s “Reddit moment”—an attempt to integrate the community discussion element that has made Reddit valuable directly into the search experience, keeping users within Google’s ecosystem rather than sending them elsewhere for conversations about search topics.