Reddit hosts one of the largest gaming communities on the internet. With r/gaming boasting 47 million members and r/Games driving quality discussions among millions more, the platform offers unmatched access to engaged gamers. This guide shows you how to advertise your video game on Reddit effectively.
Whether you're marketing an indie title or a AAA release, Reddit advertising for gaming requires a different approach than other platforms. Gamers on Reddit are notoriously skeptical of traditional advertising—but they respond well to authentic, value-driven content.
Reddit's gaming audience is massive and highly engaged. The platform's community-driven structure creates concentrated pockets of passionate players organized by game genre, platform, and interests.
| Subreddit | Members | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| r/gaming | 47M+ | General gaming content |
| r/Games | 4M+ | Gaming news and discussion |
| r/pcgaming | 5M+ | PC gaming community |
| r/PS5 | 3M+ | PlayStation 5 players |
| r/XboxSeriesX | 1.5M+ | Xbox community |
| r/leagueoflegends | 8.3M+ | League of Legends players |
| r/Steam | 2M+ | Steam platform users |
These communities aren't just large—they're active. Reddit users spend more time reading and engaging with content compared to other social platforms. For game marketers, this means your message gets more attention, but it also faces more scrutiny.
Gaming companies advertise on Reddit because:
Successful Reddit advertising for gaming starts with targeting the right communities. Here's how to identify your best subreddits.
Match your game's genre to relevant subreddits:
Reach players on specific platforms:
Target players by interest:
Reddit offers several ad formats suited for gaming promotion. Choosing the right format depends on your goals and content.
The standard Reddit ad format that appears in feeds. For gaming, promoted posts work best when they:
According to Reddit's advertising platform, promoted posts can include images, videos, or carousels that blend into users' feeds naturally.
Video performs exceptionally well for games. Reddit users expect to see actual gameplay, not just cinematic trailers. Best practices include:
Carousel formats let you showcase multiple game features:
Reddit's conversation ads appear in comments and drive discussion. For gaming, these work well when:
Gaming ad costs on Reddit vary based on targeting specificity and competition. Here's what to expect in 2026.
| Campaign Type | Suggested Daily Budget | Expected CPM |
|---|---|---|
| Awareness (Broad) | $50-100/day | $5-10 |
| Targeted (Specific subreddits) | $100-300/day | $8-15 |
| Launch Campaign | $500-1000/day | $10-20 |
| Retargeting | $75-150/day | $15-25 |
A discussion from r/gamedev reveals that achieving good CTR on Reddit gaming ads requires careful targeting. Users report that a 0.2% CTR indicates something is wrong—typically targeting issues or mismatched creative.
For better results:
Reddit's gaming community can spot inauthentic marketing instantly. Following the September 2025 algorithm update, content quality matters more than ever.
Based on successful gaming campaigns:
Yes, Reddit is highly effective for game advertising when done correctly. The platform offers unmatched targeting to specific gaming communities and genres. Success requires authentic content that provides value to the community rather than purely promotional messaging.
For indie games, start with $50-100/day to test targeting and creative. AAA launches typically require $500-1000+/day during key windows. Focus budget on the most relevant subreddits rather than broad gaming categories.
Well-targeted Reddit gaming ads typically achieve 0.5-1.5% CTR. If you're seeing below 0.3%, review your targeting and creative—something likely isn't resonating with the community. Higher-quality, authentic content consistently outperforms polished marketing material.
Absolutely. Reddit's targeting allows indie developers to focus spend on highly relevant communities like r/IndieGaming or genre-specific subreddits. Even $25-50/day campaigns can generate meaningful wishlists and engagement when properly targeted.
Ready to launch your gaming campaign on Reddit? Contact our team for a free Reddit advertising strategy session. We specialize in gaming campaigns that resonate with Reddit's unique communities. Get a free consultation
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