Reddit API vs Semantic Search

# Search within a subreddit
GET /r/{subreddit}/search
# Parameters: q, sort, t (time), limit (max 100)

# Get new posts
GET /r/{subreddit}/new
# Parameters: limit (max 100), after, before

# Get comments for a post
GET /r/{subreddit}/comments/{article}
# Parameters: depth, limit, sort

# Stream new content (requires websocket)
STREAM /api/live/{thread_id}

# Search all of Reddit
GET /search
# Parameters: q, type (link, sr, user), sort

import praw
import time
from datetime import datetime, timedelta

# Initialize Reddit API client
reddit = praw.Reddit(
    client_id="your_client_id",
    client_secret="your_client_secret",
    user_agent="research_bot/1.0"
)

def search_subreddit(subreddit, query, limit=100):
    """Search a single subreddit with keyword query."""
    results = []

    try:
        sr = reddit.subreddit(subreddit)
        for post in sr.search(query, limit=limit, sort="relevance"):
            results.append({
                "id": post.id,
                "title": post.title,
                "selftext": post.selftext,
                "score": post.score,
                "created": datetime.fromtimestamp(post.created_utc),
                "num_comments": post.num_comments,
                "url": post.url
            })
    except Exception as e:
        print(f"API Error: {e}")

    return results

# Challenge: Searching multiple subreddits requires loops + rate limiting
subreddits = ["technology", "gadgets", "laptops", "hardware"]
all_results = []

for sr in subreddits:
    results = search_subreddit(sr, "laptop overheating")
    all_results.extend(results)
    time.sleep(0.6)  # Respect rate limits

print(f"Found {len(all_results)} posts across {len(subreddits)} subreddits")

// Query: "laptop overheating problem"

KEYWORD SEARCH MISSES:

"My MacBook turns into a space heater when I open Chrome"
// Relevant but no keyword match

"Fans sound like a jet engine lately"
// Symptom of overheating, keyword absent

"Is thermal throttling killing my FPS?"
// Technical term for heat issues

"Bought a laptop stand, game changer for temps"
// Solution discussion, indirect reference

SEMANTIC SEARCH FINDS:
// All of the above, plus keyword matches
// Result: 3-5x more relevant content discovered

REDDIT API DIRECT (Annual Cost Estimate)

Development:
  - Initial build: 80 hours × $150/hr = $12,000
  - Ongoing maintenance: 10 hrs/month = $18,000/year

Infrastructure:
  - Database hosting: $200/month = $2,400/year
  - Application servers: $150/month = $1,800/year
  - Data storage: $100/month = $1,200/year

Reddit API (if enterprise tier):
  - API access fees: ~$5,000/year

Total Year 1: ~$40,400
Total Year 2+: ~$28,400

─────────────────────────────────────────────

SEMANTIC SEARCH PLATFORM (Annual Cost)

Subscription:
  - Starter plan: $588/year
  - Pro plan: $1,188/year
  - Enterprise: Custom

No development, infrastructure, or maintenance costs

ROI Comparison:
  API breakeven vs Pro plan: ~24x more expensive
  Time to value: Weeks vs Minutes

function chooseApproach(requirements) {

  if (requirements.realTimeAlerts && requirements.latency < "1 second") {
    return "Reddit API";
  }

  if (requirements.customMLPipeline || requirements.userLevelTracking) {
    return "Reddit API";
  }

  if (requirements.naturalLanguageQueries || requirements.crossSubredditDiscovery) {
    return "Semantic Search";
  }

  if (requirements.timeToValue < "1 week") {
    return "Semantic Search";
  }

  if (requirements.budget < "$10,000/year") {
    return "Semantic Search";
  }

  return "Hybrid (Both)";
}

// Use semantic search for discovery, API for depth

Step 1: Semantic Search Discovery
  - Query: "frustrations with project management tools"
  - Result: 2,500 relevant posts across 34 subreddits
  - Output: List of post IDs, relevant subreddits discovered

Step 2: API Deep Collection
  - For high-value posts, fetch full comment threads
  - Collect user posting history for key contributors
  - Monitor identified subreddits in real-time

Benefits:
  - Semantic search finds what you didn't know to look for
  - API provides depth on discovered opportunities
  - Cost-efficient: semantic for broad, API for specific

Ongoing Monitoring (API)
  - Real-time alerts for brand mentions
  - Keyword tracking in known subreddits
  - Volume and sentiment trending

Periodic Research (Semantic)
  - Monthly competitive analysis
  - Quarterly market research deep-dives
  - Ad-hoc executive requests

Integration Point:
  - API alerts trigger semantic exploration
  - "Alert: negative spike detected"
  - → Semantic query: "why are people upset about [product]"
  - → Contextual understanding of the issue

// Market Research
"What do people wish their CRM could do better?"

// Competitive Intelligence
"Reasons people are switching from Slack to alternatives"

// Product Development
"Feature requests for fitness tracking apps"

// Trend Identification
"Emerging concerns about AI in the workplace"

// Brand Health
"What do people really think about [Brand Name]?"