Discussions and forums
Also called: Discussions and forums feature, Google forum results, forum SERP feature, Perspectives filter
Definition
Discussions and forums is a Google Search feature, launched in September 2022, that shows a labeled block of threads from forums and online communities such as Reddit when a query could benefit from first-hand experience.
Discussions and forums is the section on Google results pages that lists threads from forums, Q&A sites and communities. If you have searched "best stroller for city living" and seen a block of Reddit threads with titles, comment counts and dates, that is it.
How it works
Google announced the feature on September 28, 2022, saying forums are a useful place to find first-hand advice. It launched for English-language mobile users in the US and appears when Google judges a query would benefit from people's experiences. Google's example was "best cars for a growing family", where results included parents sharing how they used minivans.
On November 27, 2023, Google added structured data so forum sites could describe their threads: DiscussionForumPosting for general forums and QAPage for question-and-answer forums. Google said forums using the markup are considered for the Perspectives and "Discussions and forums" features, without a guarantee of appearing.
Related features followed the same direction: a Perspectives filter (May 2023) that shows only content from forums, Q&A sites and social platforms, and November 2023 ranking changes Google said were made to show more first-person perspectives. See hidden gems update.
Why it matters for marketers
The feature puts user-generated content on the SERP, on page one, for exactly the queries buyers type before choosing: "best X for Y", "X vs Y", "is X worth it". A thread there is read by everyone who searches that query, often for years. If your product is discussed fairly in it, that is free, durable visibility. If your competitors are recommended and you are absent, that is a gap your own site cannot fill.
How it plays out on Reddit
On many product and software queries, the threads in this block come from Reddit; search your own category's buying queries to see how true that is for you. Google's February 2024 Reddit deal, which gave it access to Reddit's Data API, was framed partly around better understanding and displaying Reddit content.
Reddit threads also feed AI answers. Reddit is the most-cited domain in AI search across ChatGPT, Google AI Mode, Gemini, Perplexity and AI Overviews (Peec AI, US data, March 2026). So a single helpful comment in a thread shown under Discussions and forums can reach Google searchers, Reddit readers and AI users at once. BoomReddit flags threads that already rank on Google or get cited in AI answers, so you can find those threads before writing anything. The Reddit SEO page covers the rest.
What works in those threads is what works on Reddit generally: answer the question first, be specific, disclose your affiliation if the subreddit asks, and link only when someone wants it.
Common mistakes
- Reviving old threads with a pitch. Many ranking threads are years old. A late, promotional reply is obvious, and some subreddits lock old posts.
- Assuming the block shows the same threads everywhere. It varies by query wording, location and time.
- Adding forum markup to non-forum pages. Google's documentation is for forum-style sites where people share first-hand perspectives.
Frequently asked questions
When did Google launch Discussions and forums?
Google announced it on September 28, 2022, starting with English-language mobile users in the US.
How does Google choose which forum threads to show?
Google has not published the selection logic. It shows the block for queries that could benefit from first-hand experience, and forum markup helps Google identify threads but does not guarantee inclusion.
Can I get my company's thread into Discussions and forums?
You cannot request it. You can take part in threads that already appear there, as long as you follow the community's rules.