Reddit is beginning to test a new video-focused experience designed to bring its most viral stories to life through narrated video and audio content.

The social media platform said on Monday that it would test an initial version of the experience across selected communities, featuring both video and audio posts.

The trial is aimed at determining which formats resonate most with users and have the potential to be scaled across the platform.

The new feature will allow users to listen to Reddit posts in the background while carrying out other activities, giving them another way to consume content on the platform.

Reddit Chief Executive Officer Steve Huffman first disclosed plans for narrated Reddit videos during the company’s second-quarter earnings call in July.

He told analysts that users were already consuming Reddit content in similar formats on other social media platforms.

Platforms such as TikTok and Meta’s Reels frequently feature popular Reddit stories narrated using text-to-speech technology or read aloud by creators.

“There is an emerging content type elsewhere on the internet of, basically, podcasts where people read Reddit content,” Huffman explained on the call. “I think this version of, like, listened-to or spoken Reddit can be really engaging, as well,” he added.

The initial test will be limited to selected English-language posts and will be available on Reddit’s iOS and Android apps.

Reddit said the new formats will complement rather than replace the original text-based posts. Users will still be able to access the original posts, read comments and interact with the content as they normally would.