If you're marketing a video game—whether indie, mobile, PC, or console—Reddit represents one of the most concentrated audiences of gamers anywhere online. With massive communities like r/gaming (38M+ members), r/Games (3M+ members), and countless genre-specific subreddits, the platform offers direct access to passionate players actively discussing what to play next.
But are Reddit ads actually worth it for gaming? The answer is yes—with important caveats about creative approach, targeting strategy, and realistic expectations.
Reddit and gaming have a natural connection. Here's why the platform works exceptionally well for game marketing:
Gaming is one of Reddit's largest content categories. The platform's user base skews heavily toward the 18-34 age range—the same demographic that drives game purchases and player communities.
Key gaming audience stats:
Unlike passive social media scrolling, Redditors actively seek game recommendations. Posts asking "What should I play?" or "Best games like X?" appear constantly across gaming subreddits. When your ad appears in this context, you're reaching users already in discovery mode.
Gamers trust peer recommendations over traditional advertising. Reddit's upvote system means your ad exists alongside organic discussions—and if players genuinely like your game, they'll advocate for it in comments and threads. This social proof amplifies paid efforts.
Gaming audiences on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube are expensive and crowded. Reddit offers:
Gameplay trailers and footage are natural content on Reddit. Video ads showing actual gameplay perform well because that's what users expect and engage with in gaming subreddits.
Strategic subreddit targeting is the key to successful gaming campaigns on Reddit. Here's how to approach it:
| Subreddit | Subscribers | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| r/gaming | 38M+ | Broad awareness, casual gamers |
| r/Games | 3M+ | News-focused gamers, serious players |
| r/pcgaming | 2M+ | PC-exclusive titles |
| r/PS5 | 3M+ | PlayStation exclusives/ports |
| r/XboxSeriesX | 1M+ | Xbox ecosystem titles |
| r/NintendoSwitch | 5M+ | Nintendo platform games |
Target by game genre for more relevant reach:
| Genre | Key Subreddits |
|---|---|
| RPGs | r/rpg_gamers, r/JRPG, r/rpg |
| Strategy | r/StrategyGames, r/4Xgaming, r/RealTimeStrategy |
| Roguelikes | r/roguelikes, r/roguelites |
| Horror | r/HorrorGaming |
| Indie | r/IndieGaming, r/IndieDev |
| Mobile | r/AndroidGaming, r/iosgaming |
| Simulation | r/tycoon, r/CitiesSkylines, r/LifeSimGames |
| Competitive | r/esports, r/CompetitiveGaming |
If your game is similar to an established title, target fans of comparable games:
Pro tip: Always check subreddit rules before targeting. Some communities prohibit advertising or have specific requirements for promotional content.
Not all ad formats perform equally for gaming. Here's what works:
Video ads showing actual gameplay consistently outperform static images for gaming. Recommendations:
What works: Authentic gameplay that shows what players will actually experience. Meme-style or humor-driven creative often outperforms polished studio content.
Effective for retargeting and lower-funnel conversions:
Reddit's native Conversation Ads place your content within comment threads. For gaming:
Reddit now offers interactive ad formats (mini-games, quizzes) that align well with gaming audiences:
Real examples from gaming campaigns on Reddit:
One indie developer documented their Reddit ads experience targeting:
Key insights:
From ALM Corp's 2026 Reddit analysis, mobile gaming campaigns on Reddit show:
Winning tactics:
Analysis of successful gaming campaigns reveals:
How much should you spend on Reddit ads for gaming?
| Budget Level | Duration | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| $150-$300 | 7-14 days | Validate concept, gather initial data |
| $500-$1,000 | 2-4 weeks | Optimize targeting and creative |
| $2,000+ | Ongoing | Scale what works |
Recommended 2026 gaming campaign setup:
| Objective | Expected CPC | Expected CPI |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic (Steam/website) | $0.50-$2.00 | N/A |
| App Install (mobile) | N/A | $0.50-$3.00 |
| Wishlists | $1.00-$3.00 per wishlist | N/A |
| Video Views | $0.01-$0.03/view | N/A |
When to increase budget:
Aim for 0.5-1.0% CTR. Below 0.2% suggests creative or targeting issues. Gaming content that resonates with the community can exceed 1.5% CTR.
Yes, with careful budget management. Reddit's low minimum ($5/day) and niche targeting make it accessible for indie studios. Start with $150-$300 to test, and scale only if you see positive signals. Target specific gaming subreddits rather than broad audiences.
Reddit offers lower costs and more precise community targeting but smaller overall reach. For niche games with passionate potential audiences, Reddit often outperforms. For casual mobile games seeking mass scale, Facebook may still be necessary—but consider Reddit for higher-quality users.
Direct links to Steam with clear "Wishlist Now" CTAs work best. Use video ads showing gameplay, target specific gaming subreddits, and ensure your Steam page is optimized for conversion. Expect $1-3 per wishlist with well-optimized campaigns.
Yes. Mobile gaming ads work well on Reddit, especially targeting r/AndroidGaming and r/iosgaming. Expect cost per install of $0.50-$3.00, with higher-quality users (better retention, higher LTV) compared to other UA channels.
Need help marketing your game on Reddit? Contact us | Get a free consultation
Related reading: Are Reddit Ads Worth It? | Complete Reddit Advertising Guide | Reddit Advertising for Gaming
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