Finding Reddit ads examples that genuinely convert can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Unlike other social platforms, Reddit users have a keen eye for inauthenticity—they'll downvote anything that feels too "corporate" into oblivion.
But here's the good news: brands that understand Reddit's culture are seeing remarkable results. With CPMs running 30-50% lower than competing platforms and highly engaged niche audiences, Reddit advertising delivers when done right.
In this guide, we break down 15 real Reddit ads examples across image, video, and conversation formats—and explain exactly why each one works.
Before diving into specific examples, let's understand what separates successful Reddit ads from failed ones:
Authenticity over polish: Reddit users prefer genuine, helpful content over slick marketing speak. The most successful ads feel like native Reddit posts, not billboards.
Value-first messaging: Ads that teach, inform, or solve problems outperform those that simply sell. The best Reddit advertisers share knowledge first and mention their product second.
Community awareness: Each subreddit has its own culture. Winning ads respect these norms and speak the community's language.
Transparent messaging: Reddit users appreciate honesty. Ads that acknowledge limitations or share real results (including what didn't work) build trust.
According to Reddit's official guidance, ads that feel like genuine contributions to conversations consistently outperform promotional content. Brands like Lenovo and Sephora have seen significant success by treating Reddit as a community to contribute to rather than an audience to extract from.
Image ads are single-image promoted posts that appear in users' feeds with a "Promoted" label. They're ideal for straightforward offers and clear calls-to-action.
This ad works because it feels like a Reddit post, not a banner. The headline clearly promises the benefit ("transform your words into works of art"), and the creative shows the product in action—a funny, hyper-specific dog portrait that fits Reddit's meme-friendly culture.
Why it works:
Financial technology company Ramp uses image ads that address specific pain points their target audience experiences. Rather than promoting features, they highlight the problem and position their product as the solution.
Why it works:
This B2B SaaS company achieved 6x ROAS and 63% lower cost per signup by leading with educational content. Their image ads offer checklists and comparison guides rather than direct product pitches.
Why it works:
Tech advertisers who succeed on Reddit spotlight one specific feature per ad rather than trying to communicate everything. The creative shows the feature in action with minimal text overlay.
Why it works:
Successful e-commerce image ads on Reddit show products in context—being used by real people in real situations. The aesthetic matches the subreddit's visual style rather than looking like a catalog shot.
Why it works:
Video ads autoplay in the feed and work across awareness, consideration, and conversion objectives. They're built to grab attention and demonstrate products in action.
MongoDB sponsors detailed technical content created by database engineers active in r/programming. The video content is valuable regardless of the sponsorship—that's what makes it work.
Why it works:
Gaming advertisers see strong results by sharing actual gameplay footage rather than cinematic trailers. Reddit's gaming communities want to see what playing the game looks like.
Why it works:
Software companies use video ads to demonstrate their product solving a specific problem. The format works because it answers the "how does this actually work?" question that Reddit users naturally ask.
Why it works:
Some brands succeed with longer-form video content that tells their origin story or explains their mission. These work in communities that value transparency and company values.
Why it works:
Products with visible results use video to show transformations over time. This format works particularly well in fitness, skincare, and home improvement subreddits.
Why it works:
Conversation ads let brands join or spark discussions directly in conversation spaces. They appear where people are already talking, making them feel less interruptive.
Storytel ran an AMA with author Erik Engelv in storytelling-focused communities and saw 3.4x lift in ad awareness and 266% higher video completion rate versus EMEA benchmarks.
Why it works:
Brands that start threads addressing common problems their audience faces see strong engagement. The key is leading with the problem and positioning the brand as one potential solution among several.
Why it works:
Similar to AMAs but focused on answering specific questions rather than open-ended conversation. Works well for technical products or services where buyers need education.
Why it works:
Brands asking for genuine feedback on products or features see high engagement. This only works when the brand actually implements suggestions.
Why it works:
Telling different parts of your story in different communities—technical details in engineering subreddits, business impact in entrepreneur communities, user experience insights in design forums.
Why it works:
Across all 15 examples, patterns emerge:
Native formatting wins: Ads that look and feel like organic Reddit posts outperform polished marketing materials.
Education over promotion: Content that teaches or informs generates better results than direct selling.
Community respect matters: Understanding each subreddit's culture and speaking its language is non-negotiable.
Transparency builds trust: Acknowledging limitations, sharing real results, and being honest about what your product does (and doesn't do) resonates with Reddit users.
Specificity over generality: Targeting specific subreddits with tailored messaging outperforms broad campaigns with generic creative.
For more examples of what makes great Reddit ads, check out our guide to best Reddit ads examples and our Reddit advertising examples gallery. If you're interested in conversation-specific formats, see our Reddit conversation ads examples.
Successful Reddit ads feel authentic, provide genuine value, and respect the culture of the communities they target. The best performers lead with education or problem-solving rather than direct promotion, use native formatting that blends with organic content, and speak the language of their target subreddits.
Reddit CPMs typically run 30-50% lower than competing platforms because fewer brands have figured out how to advertise effectively there. This creates less competition and better prices for advertisers who understand the platform's culture.
The best format depends on your objective and audience. Image ads work well for simple offers and clear CTAs. Video ads excel at demonstrations and storytelling. Conversation ads are ideal for building community and engaging in discussions. Many successful advertisers test multiple formats to find what resonates with their specific audience.
Want ads like these? Let us create them for you. Contact us | Get a free consultation
By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
