Reddit App Advertising: Mobile-First Tips for 2026

Reddit's mobile app dominates how users engage with the platform. With 116 million daily active users and the majority accessing Reddit via mobile, optimizing your ads for the app experience isn't optional—it's essential.

This guide covers mobile-specific strategies for Reddit advertising, from creative best practices to app install campaign setup.

Mobile vs Desktop on Reddit

Understanding how mobile and desktop usage differs helps you optimize campaigns for each environment.

Usage Patterns

Reddit's mobile app usage continues to grow. According to Reddit statistics, the platform has 116 million daily active users with significant mobile engagement.

Mobile users typically:

Browse in shorter, more frequent sessions
Scroll quickly through feeds
Engage with visual content first
Have limited attention spans per post
Often browse with sound off

Desktop users typically:

Spend longer on individual posts
Read more text content
Engage in longer discussion threads
More likely to click through to external sites

Ad Performance Differences

Metric	Mobile	Desktop
Session length	Shorter	Longer
Scroll speed	Faster	Slower
Video completion	Lower	Higher
CTR on images	Higher	Moderate
Comment engagement	Lower	Higher

Targeting Considerations

Reddit Ads Manager lets you target by device type:

Mobile only: Focus budget on app users
Desktop only: Reach users on web
All devices: Maximum reach with unified creative
Platform-specific: iOS vs Android targeting

For most campaigns, running on all devices with mobile-optimized creative delivers the best results.

Mobile-First Creative Best Practices

Creating ads that perform on mobile requires specific design choices.

Visual Design for Mobile

Keep it bold and simple:

Use large, readable text (minimum 24pt for key messages)
Choose high-contrast colors
Avoid busy backgrounds or small details
Make your brand visible without squinting

Aspect ratios that work:

1:1 (square): Best for feed visibility
4:5 (vertical): Maximum screen real estate
16:9 (landscape): Works but loses impact on mobile

Video Creative for Mobile

Mobile users scroll fast—your video must hook them immediately.

First 3 seconds:

Show your key message or product
Use motion to stop the scroll
Don't rely on audio (most browse muted)
Add captions for sound-off viewing

Optimal length:

6-15 seconds for maximum completion rates
30 seconds maximum for most mobile campaigns
Longer formats reserved for high-intent audiences

Technical specs:

MP4 or MOV format
720p minimum (1080p recommended)
Under 500MB file size
Vertical or square orientation preferred

Copy for Mobile Screens

Mobile users see less text before needing to expand. Front-load your message.

Headlines:

Keep under 100 characters
Put the hook first
Include your value proposition

Body text:

Lead with the most important information
Short sentences and paragraphs
Break up text with line breaks
Save details for the landing page

Call-to-Action Optimization

Mobile CTAs need to be thumb-friendly:

Use clear, action-oriented buttons
"Learn More" vs "Click here to learn more"
Ensure destination pages are mobile-optimized
Test deep links for app destinations

App Install Campaigns

Reddit's app install campaigns drive downloads directly from the platform.

Setting Up App Install Campaigns

Step 1: Link your app Connect your app to Reddit Ads Manager through:

Apple App Store (iOS apps)
Google Play Store (Android apps)
Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP) integration

Step 2: Configure tracking Integrate with an MMP for accurate attribution:

AppsFlyer
Adjust
Branch
Kochava
Singular

Step 3: Define your audience Target users likely to install and engage:

Interest-based targeting relevant to your app
Subreddit targeting for niche apps
Lookalike audiences from existing users
Exclude current app users

Step 4: Create mobile-optimized creative

Show the app in action
Highlight key features visually
Include app store ratings if strong
Use vertical or square video

Optimization Tips

Start broad, then narrow: Begin with interest-based targeting to gather data, then create lookalike audiences from your best installers.

Bid for installs, not clicks: Use app install optimization to let Reddit's algorithm find users likely to download, not just click.

Track post-install events: Configure event tracking for in-app actions:

Registrations
Purchases
Key feature usage
Retention milestones

Iterate on creative: Test multiple versions:

Different first-frame hooks
Various aspect ratios
Gameplay vs features messaging
With and without sound design

Benchmarks for App Campaigns

Metric	Typical Range
CTR	0.5-1.5%
Install rate	15-40% of clicks
CPI (Cost per Install)	$1.50-$5.00
Day 1 retention	25-40%

Actual performance varies significantly by app category and targeting quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of Reddit users are on mobile?

The majority of Reddit's 116 million daily active users access the platform via mobile devices. Mobile app usage has grown consistently, making mobile optimization essential for any Reddit advertising strategy.

Should I run separate campaigns for mobile and desktop?

For most advertisers, running unified campaigns with mobile-optimized creative works well. Separate campaigns make sense when you have distinct landing pages, different messaging for each platform, or want to analyze performance independently.

How do I track app installs from Reddit ads?

Integrate a Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP) like AppsFlyer, Adjust, or Branch with your Reddit Ads account. This enables accurate install attribution and post-install event tracking.

What video length works best for Reddit mobile ads?

6-15 second videos perform best for mobile Reddit ads. Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds, include captions for sound-off viewing, and use vertical or square formats for maximum screen presence.