Reddit Talk is a new way for redditors to take part in live audio conversations–they can host AMAs or just hang out and have fun. For now, a talk can be hosted by mods or mod-approved redditors in participating communities or by some redditors through their profile. If you're interested in hosting talks, please let us know and we’ll get back to you.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How Reddit Talk works
- What communities are hosting talks
- Taking part in a talk as a listener
- Taking part in a talk as a host
- FAQs
How Reddit Talk works
There are four types of people in talks, who have different roles and permissions:
- Listeners can react with emojis and text comments, or raise their hand to request to speak.
- Speakers can speak (duh), react with emojis, and mute/unmute themselves.
- Hosts can invite speakers and co-hosts, mute or remove speakers, remove redditors from the talk, and end the talk.
- Community moderators have all the permissions that hosts have in a community talk, even if they are not hosting the talk. They can also use their other moderation tools to do things like ban members from the community.
The basics:
- Hosts can create talks just like they would a post.
- Hosts can invite up to 30 speakers or co-hosts. Speakers can mute themselves or be muted by the hosts as they guide the discussion.
- Listeners can tune in and react live with emojis or text comments on mobile and web. Hosts can also invite listeners to speak or co-host the talk.
What communities are hosting talks?
Examples of talks include casual hangouts (r/wallstreetbets, r/dadjokes, r/amitheasshole) to AMAs (r/cryptocurrency with Kevin O Leary, r/relationship_advice with Kerry Cohen). Topics include:
- Support and advice (e.g., r/relationship_advice, r/tifu )
- Finance and crypto (e.g., r/wallstreetbets, r/cryptocurrency)
- Sharing stories and knowledge (e.g.,r/casualconversation, r/makenewfriendshere)
- Sports, media, and culture (e.g., r/movies, r/marvelstudiosspoilers)
- Health and fitness (e.g., r/meditation)
Let us know if you want to host talks in your community or from your profile.
Taking part in a talk as a listener
Discovering talks
When a talk goes live, community members (if it’s a community talk) or redditors following communities related to the topic of the talk will see a talk post in their home and community feeds, and get a notification to join. There is also a live bar that highlights talks at the top of Home.
Inviting others to a talk
When you’re in a talk, you can invite more people by:
- Tapping the share icon, and copying a direct link to the talk.
- Anyone you invite will join the talk as a listener.
Reacting during a talk
While in a talk, listeners can interact through emoji reactions and text comments.
Speaking during a talk
Listeners can request to speak by tapping the raise hand icon. Once a host accepts a request, that person will become a speaker.
While some community talks will become public posts in that community (see more below), some community or user profile talks may be syndicated or otherwise distributed on a third-party platform (such as in the form of a podcast on Apple Podcast or a simulcast on Discord). We will ask hosts to notify redditors when a talk will or may be distributed off-platform by including the word podcast (or similar) in the post title of the talk. If you see that a talk may be distributed off-platform but would not like your voice to appear in the conversation, consider participating by text (e.g., asking questions in the comments) instead.
Talks may be syndicated or distributed on the following third-party platforms:
- Soundcloud
- YouTube
- Discord
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Google Podcasts
- Stitcher
- iHeartRadio
- Pandora
- Amazon Music
- Deezer
- PlayerFM
- Podchaser
- Overcast
- Pocket Casts
- TuneIn
- Castbox
- RadioPublic
Listening to talk recordings
Speakers will be recorded during talks, and recordings may be available as public posts. Reddit may also review recordings if something is reported as a policy violation and use recordings for marketing, analysis, and promotional purposes.
Taking part in a talk as a host
If Reddit Talk has been enabled for your user profile, you can start a talk from there. Visit Hosting and Moderating a talk on Reddit Talk on Your Profile to learn more.
FAQs
How do I turn on my device's microphone so I can become a speaker?
To speak in a talk, your browser needs access to your device’s microphone. If you'd like to use a Bluetooth headset, you may need to allow access to Bluetooth connectivity.
To enable your microphone on a Mac:
- Select the Apple menu > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy
- Select Microphone.
- Select the checkbox next to your browser.
To enable your microphone on Windows:
- Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone
- In Allow access to the microphone on this device, select Change and make sure Microphone access for this device is turned on.
- In Microphone settings, go to Allow apps to access your microphone and make sure it's turned on.
- Go to Choose which Microsoft apps can access your microphone, and turn on apps you want to use with it. For desktop apps, make sure that Allow desktop apps to access your microphone is turned on.
To enable your microphone on iOS:
- Open Settings
- Go to Privacy > Microphone
- Turn on Reddit
To enable your microphone and Bluetooth on Android:
- Open Settings
- Go to Apps > Reddit > Permissions
- Select Microphone, and choose Allow
- Go back, select Nearby Devices, and choose Allow
Having trouble with your web browser? Select your browser below for help troubleshooting:
Can mods schedule talks in advance?
Not yet, the ability to schedule a talk ahead of time is still in development. In the meantime, we’re working with hosts to promote talks ahead of time through posts they can share with their community and across social media.
Will talks be recorded?
Yes, talks are recorded. Talks are public, so don’t forget that folks are listening in when you speak. We may need to review them for possible policy violations, analyze them to help us improve the product, or use them for marketing or promotional purposes. Recordings may also be available as public posts on Reddit once a talk ends. Additionally, in some circumstances recordings may become a podcast and be distributed by the host on third-party platforms.
Can I opt out from seeing recommended talks in the Live Bar?
Yes, you can go to Feed Settings and turn off Enable live recommendations. You will only see talks of users and communities you follow.
Are you a mod?
Then visit our Mod Help Center to learn more about how to moderate a Reddit Talk.