Reddit Interests
Reddit Interests
Reddit Interests
2026
Feeds just for you
Role
Design Systems
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Client
Reddit faced a core product tension: how do we make content easily discoverable for mainstream users without losing our authentic, community-first DNA? To solve this, we moved away from the algorithmic "black box" and reimagined how topics are structured. We introduced the Interest Graph, a transparent, user-managed architecture, bridging the gap between high-level topic discovery and granular community engagement.
As the lead product designer on this initiative, my role was to drive the end-to-end architecture and user experience of Interests, from the initial onboarding funnel to contextual feed discovery and deep-dive management tools.
2026
Feeds just for you
Role
Design Systems
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Client
Reddit faced a core product tension: how do we make content easily discoverable for mainstream users without losing our authentic, community-first DNA? To solve this, we moved away from the algorithmic "black box" and reimagined how topics are structured. We introduced the Interest Graph, a transparent, user-managed architecture, bridging the gap between high-level topic discovery and granular community engagement.
As the lead product designer on this initiative, my role was to drive the end-to-end architecture and user experience of Interests, from the initial onboarding funnel to contextual feed discovery and deep-dive management tools.
2026
Feeds just for you
Role
Design Systems
Interaction Design
Visual Design
Client
Reddit faced a core product tension: how do we make content easily discoverable for mainstream users without losing our authentic, community-first DNA? To solve this, we moved away from the algorithmic "black box" and reimagined how topics are structured. We introduced the Interest Graph, a transparent, user-managed architecture, bridging the gap between high-level topic discovery and granular community engagement.
As the lead product designer on this initiative, my role was to drive the end-to-end architecture and user experience of Interests, from the initial onboarding funnel to contextual feed discovery and deep-dive management tools.
Introducing the interest graph
The Reddit interest graph isn't an algorithm. It’s a transparent, user-managed macro-category powered by communities. A three-tier hierarchy moves users from broad exploration to active participation.
Introducing the interest graph
The Reddit interest graph isn't an algorithm. It’s a transparent, user-managed macro-category powered by communities. A three-tier hierarchy moves users from broad exploration to active participation.
Introducing the interest graph
The Reddit interest graph isn't an algorithm. It’s a transparent, user-managed macro-category powered by communities. A three-tier hierarchy moves users from broad exploration to active participation.
Approachable Onboarding
To lower the barrier to entry, Onboarding replaces complex Reddit jargon with universally understood Categories. These act as a discovery funnel, effortlessly guiding users toward hyper-specific Interests and Communities they’d love but wouldn't know to search for.
Approachable Onboarding
To lower the barrier to entry, Onboarding replaces complex Reddit jargon with universally understood Categories. These act as a discovery funnel, effortlessly guiding users toward hyper-specific Interests and Communities they’d love but wouldn't know to search for.
Approachable Onboarding
To lower the barrier to entry, Onboarding replaces complex Reddit jargon with universally understood Categories. These act as a discovery funnel, effortlessly guiding users toward hyper-specific Interests and Communities they’d love but wouldn't know to search for.
Approachable Onboarding
To lower the barrier to entry, Onboarding replaces complex Reddit jargon with universally understood Categories. These act as a discovery funnel, effortlessly guiding users toward hyper-specific Interests and Communities they’d love but wouldn't know to search for.
Approachable Onboarding
To lower the barrier to entry, Onboarding replaces complex Reddit jargon with universally understood Categories. These act as a discovery funnel, effortlessly guiding users toward hyper-specific Interests and Communities they’d love but wouldn't know to search for.
Approachable Onboarding
To lower the barrier to entry, Onboarding replaces complex Reddit jargon with universally understood Categories. These act as a discovery funnel, effortlessly guiding users toward hyper-specific Interests and Communities they’d love but wouldn't know to search for.
Deep diving from the feed
Discovery shouldn't be confined to onboarding; it must happen organically. We introduced the Interest as a recognizable affordance directly on Home feed posts. Tapping these elements instantly transports users from a mixed algorithmic stream into a dedicated Interest Feed, turning a passive scroll into an active, topic-specific deep dive.
Deep diving from the feed
Discovery shouldn't be confined to onboarding; it must happen organically. We introduced the Interest as a recognizable affordance directly on Home feed posts. Tapping these elements instantly transports users from a mixed algorithmic stream into a dedicated Interest Feed, turning a passive scroll into an active, topic-specific deep dive.
Deep diving from the feed
Discovery shouldn't be confined to onboarding; it must happen organically. We introduced the Interest as a recognizable affordance directly on Home feed posts. Tapping these elements instantly transports users from a mixed algorithmic stream into a dedicated Interest Feed, turning a passive scroll into an active, topic-specific deep dive.
Control over your algorithm
We designed "Your Interests" as a dedicated surface where users explicitly control their graph. This resolves the tension between following broad topics and maintaining niche community culture, empowering users to actively manage the signals that drive their "For You" recommendations.
Control over your algorithm
We designed "Your Interests" as a dedicated surface where users explicitly control their graph. This resolves the tension between following broad topics and maintaining niche community culture, empowering users to actively manage the signals that drive their "For You" recommendations.
Control over your algorithm
We designed "Your Interests" as a dedicated surface where users explicitly control their graph. This resolves the tension between following broad topics and maintaining niche community culture, empowering users to actively manage the signals that drive their "For You" recommendations.
Frictionless feed tuning
To create a continuous, contextual feedback loop, we designed in-the-moment feed tuning. A prominent close icon on posts empowers users to instantly remove irrelevant content with a single tap, without breaking their reading flow. This dismissal acts as a powerful signal—scrubbing the post while serving as a bridge to permanently remove the underlying community from their broader Interest Graph.
Frictionless feed tuning
To create a continuous, contextual feedback loop, we designed in-the-moment feed tuning. A prominent close icon on posts empowers users to instantly remove irrelevant content with a single tap, without breaking their reading flow. This dismissal acts as a powerful signal—scrubbing the post while serving as a bridge to permanently remove the underlying community from their broader Interest Graph.
Frictionless feed tuning
To create a continuous, contextual feedback loop, we designed in-the-moment feed tuning. A prominent close icon on posts empowers users to instantly remove irrelevant content with a single tap, without breaking their reading flow. This dismissal acts as a powerful signal—scrubbing the post while serving as a bridge to permanently remove the underlying community from their broader Interest Graph.
Work together?
Let's make something to be proud of. me@andrewwags.com
© 2025 — Andrew Wagenhals
Work together?
Let's make something to be proud of. me@andrewwags.com
© 2025 — Andrew Wagenhals
Work together?
Let's make something to be proud of. me@andrewwags.com
© 2025 — Andrew Wagenhals
If You Know You Know
Hint: Please reach out to me@andrewwags.com