I’d argue it definitely has changed, significantly. It was once a super useful research tool where lots of real users posted content. Most of the power users that posted “first page of Google” level responses nuked their accounts when they left, and it really shows.

Used to you could google a rather niche question and find a pretty active Reddit thread about it

Now it feels like almost every time I’m reading search results on Reddit, half the comments have been deleted, and the remaining ones are all 2 years old. Most newer threads are filled the the brim with generic fake engagement slop.