4 Reddit Ad Examples (and What You Can Learn From Them)

Reddit may not be the first thing that comes to mind as you map out your digital marketing strategy. This is probably one of the most compelling reasons it should be on your radar. Veering away from traditional social media advertising in almost every way, Reddit ads expose you to fresh audiences and engagement models — enhancing rather than upending your existing marketing mix.

Here, we dive into Reddit ads, covering the business value campaigns offer and how to tap into the Reddit community to achieve meaningful engagement.

Why Do Reddit Advertising Campaigns Matter?

Here’s the bottom line: You’re unlikely to intrigue such an involved and diverse community with the same approach to content on any other platform. Reddit is a forum-style website that aggregates social news and user-generated content. Its consumer-centric moderation model encourages users to make submissions into subreddits (communities focused on specific topics or interests), while others are responsible for upvoting and discussing the content based on perceived value.

First, few platforms give you such unfiltered, honest feedback on your brand’s value — straight from your audience. Second, subreddit forums are extremely niche. You can engage directly with those interested in your products and services rather than someone who “ticks all the boxes” of your target audience archetype. Third, while a Reddit post can take the same ad format as another social media platform (for instance, Facebook, Instagram, X [formerly Twitter] or TikTok), it works completely differently. Here’s how:

Reddit Ads vs. Traditional Social Media Ads

Many social media site ads are highly visual, using short-form video or carousel formats and imagery. Reddit hosts ads in visual formats and allows your business to follow through with more text-heavy additions, including resources and links. These are designed to look like organic user posts so they blend into discussions and provide authentic value.

Longevity of Reddit Ads

Social media ads — particularly those with ephemeral posts like ‘stories’ — typically have a short lifespan. Some disappear within 24 hours, while others that don’t go viral (or at least garner a fast engagement uptake) can decay rapidly. On the other hand, a value-added Reddit post can remain visible for longer periods, provided it inspires upvotes and comments.

Contextual Targeting on Reddit

Demographic targeting is the name of social media’s ad game. A business can outline its ideal customer archetypes and an ad will display on users’ feeds within that age, gender identification or geographic range, for example. Reddit’s targeting is heavily contextual due to the platform’s forum-based nature. A well-placed promoted post in a specific subreddit will naturally draw participation because it directly corresponds to community interests.

Where a Reddit Ad Appears

Deep in the socials, ads are subject to algorithms, meaning they may only reach audiences if they leave impressions with similar content. Unlike broad-feed advertising, Reddit allows you to target interactive niche conversations, though feed ads are also an option.

Reddit’s Engagement Style

Need passive, scroll-based engagement? Shoot for the socials. But if you’re seeking a skeptical audience that critically responds to your content, start looking into Reddit. As an additional bonus, since Reddit’s audience is so discerning, they’ll probably call out low-effort advertising — which is great for getting feedback on your ads if you ever feel compelled to dial up your brand in online forums. Reddit rewards value.

Ultimately, going to Reddit is more of an angular take on your social media strategy: it adds dimension. Even if you repurpose creative assets from other platforms, you can still tailor your Reddit marketing strategy for in-depth conversations. Feed ads take on a broader reach, appealing to passively browsing users. In-conversation ads directly capture audiences already leaning in, driving higher engagement and action intent.

What Are the Benefits of a Reddit Ad Campaign?

Reddit ads get right into the thick of conversations where people are actually invested. Whether you’re chasing clicks, conversions or just some good old-fashioned brand hype, Reddit puts your brand in the middle of the action.

Brand awareness and reach: Placing ads within relevant subreddits surfaces your brand in a space where people are talking about the topic. That’s organic brand awareness at its best.
Traffic: Reddit members actively seek information. A well-placed ad that genuinely adds to the conversation can drive high-intent clicks to your website, blog or landing page.
Conversions: Redditors don’t convert easily, but they’re committed when they do. Expect a more engaged and loyal customer b ase if your ad solves a real problem or offers something genuinely valuable.
Video views: Reddit users love text-heavy discussions, but video content thrives too — especially when it’s educational, insightful or just really, really funny. A clever, well-placed video ad can spark discussions, shares and long watch times.
App downloads: Tech-savvy and always on the hunt for something new, Redditors love to test and review apps. An ad placed in the right subreddit (think r/androidapps or r/iosgaming) can drive downloads from a highly responsive user base.

What Types of Ads Does Reddit Support?

Reddit ads are all but limiting. With various visual, textual and engagement-based ad formats, you can take your pick (and we won’t blame you if you steal from your Instagram or email marketing library). They include:

Promoted posts: These are paid advertisements that appear in a Redditor’s feed. They look just like organic posts.
Image ads: Redditors love a good meme, too, and with image ads, you can engage users more visually.
Video ads: Run long- or short-form video ads based on your preferred targeting, including interest, keywords, demographics, community and more.
Reddit carousel ads: Maximize your real estate with multiple image cards and videos displayed within a single ad.
Free-form ads: A format unique to Reddit, free-form ads let you unleash your creativity with posts that combine text, images, video and GIFs to reach your audience more authentically.
Conversation ads: Connect in ongoing conversations or kickstart a new one with conversation ads. These help broaden your reach by connecting you with users who engage with topic-specific SEO searches.
Product ads: Showcase your catalog and encourage Redditors to make a purchase using product ads.
Ask Me Anything (AMA) ads: Jump straight into the conversation and offer real value with AMA ads. You can leverage expertise and credibility to serve audiences while driving brand recognition and traffic.

4 Reddit Ad Examples You Can Learn From

Let’s translate theory into real-world examples and inspire your next marketing campaign. Below, we’ve gathered some effective Reddit advertising masterpieces to show how ad types and placement (and, honestly, overall execution) can meet your brand objectives. We’ll also explore why they work so well within the Reddit ecosystem.

Ninja CPA Review

Ninja CPA Review posted a text-based ad about the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exams, with a slew of helpful resources linking back to the brand for preparation support. Intending to achieve brand awareness and reach, the post attracted high audience participation, answering each question as promised.

Here’s why this makes such a good Reddit ad:

It’s direct and informative: The headline clearly states the subject and format of the ad. Redditors like to know what to expect, so this upfront approach is more likely to engage relevant audiences.
It leverages AMA culture: The AMA format is deeply ingrained in the Reddit culture because the Q&A allows users to directly interact with an expert, appealing to audiences’ inquisitive nature.
It’s targeted and relevant: Featuring the “2024 CPA Exam” in the headline speaks to exam candidates.

Xena Workwear

Women who have ever worn workboots can instantly relate to this image-based ad. Xena Workwear sells safety boots explicitly styled for women, and its ad — intended to augment traffic — stands out for a few reasons:

It addresses a pain point: “Stop wearing bulky men’s safety boots that are downsized for women,” the ad begins, acknowledging a common frustration of women working in typically male-dominated fields.
The value proposition is front and center: “Beautiful AND certified workboots that’ll comfortably fit your feet.” This sets Xena Workwear’s product apart from competitors, emphasizing that it solves specific problems.
It uses relatable language: Reddit contributors value authentic communication, so a conversational and less “pitchy” tone is more likely to land with the audience.

PitchFire

Pitchfire made a low-budget video ad to achieve brand reach and secure marketing and sales conference registrations. It begins with an AI-generated script advertising the conference (which users can sign up for at www.conferencesarestupid.com) before cutting, proclaiming, “Yeah, we’re doing the opposite of that script,” and devolving into folds of self-deprecating humor.

Here’s why it resonates:

It’s funny: The headline addresses AI’s potential to create less-than-compelling material, then uses that to set the ad up for a humorous punchline. This speaks directly to Reddit’s ironic, self-aware culture and its audiences’ skepticism of traditional marketing.
There’s a direct call-to-action: The headline tells you what Pitchfire wants you to do: RSVP for the conference.
It uses a relatable tone: “If you think most marketing and sales is bullshit…” creates a shared experience and understanding with Reddit community-driven audiences.

Tastes Eggcellent

Finally, Tastes Eggcellent posted a carousel ad featuring food products and tasty recipes to gain more traffic to its site. This ad appeared in a conversation thread and features Redditors’ creations, product info and a coupon. Here’s what else makes it so compelling:

It uses branded language: Redditors appreciate wit and sarcasm, so words like “eggcellent” and “eggstra” create a positive association with the product and make the ad more memorable.
It addresses the target audience: The ad is abundant with egg-related words, making it evident that the product targets egg lovers. But there’s a twist: The product is vegan. Scrolling through the carousel, this becomes unmistakably clear.
It features benefits-driven copy: The copy highlights the larger size of the product, immediately capturing the attention of those seeking value or quantity.

Ready To Start Advertising on Reddit?

Reddit ads offer the chance to tap into hyper-involved communities that care about your offering. With proper eggsecution, your ads can become an authentic part of the conversation, driving traffic, engagement and conversions.

If you’re looking for a fresh way to reach an invested, vocal audience (who will likely throw in their sixpence, regardless of whether you asked for it), Reddit’s the place to be. Join the discussion — and remember to keep it real.