Different industries require different Reddit advertising approaches. What works for a SaaS company targeting r/programming won't work for an e-commerce brand in r/malefashionadvice. This guide breaks down examples of Reddit ads by industry, showing what top performers do in each vertical.
Understanding industry-specific strategies helps you avoid the common mistake of applying generic tactics to Reddit's diverse communities.
Tech and SaaS brands have natural advantages on Reddit—the platform's developer communities and tech-forward user base often include their exact buyers.
Example approach: A code editor company published 1,200-word technical guides about specific programming challenges. The content provided genuine value to developers, with subtle mentions of how their tool addresses the issue.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/programming, r/webdev, r/devops, language-specific subreddits
Performance benchmarks: Tech SaaS campaigns typically see CPC of $0.50-$2.00 and cost per B2B lead of $30-$120, significantly below LinkedIn rates for similar audiences.
Example approach: A project management platform started discussions about specific workflow challenges their audience faced. They engaged with comments, offering solutions that sometimes involved their product and sometimes didn't.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/Entrepreneur, r/startups, r/smallbusiness, industry-specific subreddits
Best practices:
Example approach: A security company shared anonymized breach scenarios with detailed analysis. The content explained attack vectors, detection gaps, and remediation steps—positioning their monitoring tool as one potential solution.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/sysadmin, r/netsec, r/cybersecurity, r/ITManagers
E-commerce brands need different approaches than B2B. Visual appeal, authenticity, and community-specific aesthetics matter more than technical depth.
Example approach: A sustainable clothing brand used carousel ads showing their entire production process—from raw materials to finished garments. Each card advanced the story, with the final card linking to shop.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/malefashionadvice, r/femalefashionadvice, r/BuyItForLife, r/ethicalfashion
Performance benchmarks: E-commerce on Reddit typically sees CPA 15-40% lower than Facebook/Instagram, with ROAS of 2.5x-4.5x.
Example approach: A furniture brand shared before/after room setups in home decor subreddits. The visual style matched community aesthetics—real spaces, not catalog shots. Product links appeared only when commenters asked.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/malelivingspace, r/femalelivingspace, r/InteriorDesign, r/HomeImprovement
Best practices:
Example approach: A hot sauce brand asked r/spicy to critique their bottle design. The genuine feedback request generated hundreds of comments, with the brand responding humorously to criticism.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/spicy, r/hotsauce, r/cooking, r/food
Gaming is one of Reddit's strongest verticals. Gaming subreddits are massive, highly engaged, and receptive to authentic brand participation.
Example approach: A game studio participated genuinely in r/gamedev for months before revealing their developer status. When they announced their game, the community already knew and trusted them.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/gaming, r/Games, genre-specific subreddits, r/gamedev, r/IndieGaming
Example approach: A mechanical keyboard manufacturer showed their prototype testing process, including designs that failed. The transparency made final product claims more credible.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/mechanicalkeyboards, r/MouseReview, r/buildapc, r/pcgaming
Best practices:
Financial services face unique challenges on Reddit—the platform's skeptical user base scrutinizes financial claims closely.
Example approach: A fintech company ran an AMA with their head of research in r/investing. The executive answered tough market questions without pushing the platform, building credibility through demonstrated expertise.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/investing, r/personalfinance, r/financialindependence, r/CryptoCurrency
Example approach: A travel credit card created content showing exactly how to maximize points for specific routes (NYC to Tokyo business class). The detailed utility attracted points enthusiasts, with the card mentioned as one optimization option.
Why it works:
Targeting strategy: r/churning, r/awardtravel, r/CreditCards
Best practices:
For more detailed guides on industry-specific strategies, see our comprehensive articles on Reddit Ads for B2B, Reddit Ads for E-commerce, and Reddit Ads for SaaS. Browse more examples in our Reddit ads examples gallery.
Gaming, technology, and hobbyist categories typically see strongest results due to Reddit's engaged communities in these verticals. However, B2B and financial services also perform well when campaigns match community culture. The key isn't industry—it's whether your target audience actively discusses your category on Reddit.
Start by searching Reddit for keywords related to your product category. Look for subreddits where users ask for recommendations, compare products, or discuss problems your product solves. Reddit's Ads Manager also suggests related communities based on your targeting inputs.
No. Each community has distinct expectations for visual style, tone, and content format. A technical deep-dive that works in r/programming will fail in r/Entrepreneur. Create industry-specific creative that matches each community's native content style.
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